Page Type: languageZulgo-Gemzek | Ethnologue

GND ISO 639-3

Zulgo-Gemzek

Gemzek, Zulgo Autonym

A language of Cameroon

ISO 639
gnd
Alternate Names
Gemjek, Guemjek, Guemshek, Guemzek, Zoulgo
Autonym
Gemzek, Zulgo
Population
26,000 (2002 SIL).
Location:
Far North region: Mayo-Sava division, Tokombéré subdivision, 16 villages on east edge of Mandara mountains, north of Maroua; Some parts of Mayo-Tsanaga division.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Chadic, Biu-Mandara, A, A.5
Dialects
Gemzek (Gaduwa), Mineo (Minew), Zulgo (Zelgwa, Zoulgo, Zulgwa). Slight dialect differences between villages.
Language Use
Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Many also use Merey [meq]. Some also use Mafa [maf]. Also use Adamawa Fulfulde [fub], in church, but with interpretation into Gemzek or Zulgo. Used as L2 by Mada [mxu], Matal [mfh], Merey [meq].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 10%. Literature. Dictionary. NT: 1988–1997.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Zulgo-Gemzek
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
The Mbuko [mqb], Muyang [muy], and Mada [mxu] languages are in the surrounding area. Christian, traditional religion.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Far North region: Mayo-Sava division, Tokombéré subdivision, 16 villages on east edge of Mandara mountains, north of Maroua; Some parts of Mayo-Tsanaga division.