Page Type: languageDza | Ethnologue

JEN ISO 639-3

Dza

nnwa’ Dzâ Autonym

A language of Nigeria

ISO 639
jen
Alternate Names
Ja, Janjo, Jen, Jenjo, Èédzá
Autonym
nnwa’ Dzâ
Population
100,000 (2014 NBTT).
Location:
Adamawa state: Lamurde and Numan LGAs; Gombe state: Balanga LGA; Taraba state: Ardokola, Gassol, Ibi, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, and Lau LGAs; main town is Dza by Benue river.
Language Status
6b (Threatened).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Adamawa-Ubangi, Adamawa, Waja-Jen, Jen
Language Use
Home, market, work, community. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Most also use Hausa [hau]. Most also use Nigerian Pidgin [pcm]. Used as L2 by Shoo-Minda-Nye [bcv].
Language Development
Over 100 people have been taught to read and write Jenjo.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Dza
Writing
Latin script [Latn], in development.
Other Comments
There are four main groups within the language that settled in different locations but have no differences in their speech, they are: Ye (Saredou, Kaigama), Dzaka (Kachala), Ngwabang (Saretunde), and E ’ Zhi (Jaule). Christian, Muslim.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Adamawa state: Lamurde and Numan LGAs; Gombe state: Balanga LGA; Taraba state: Ardokola, Gassol, Ibi, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, and Lau LGAs; main town is Dza by Benue river.