Page Type: languageXaasongaxango | Ethnologue

KAO ISO 639-3

Xaasongaxango

Xasongo Autonym

A language of Mali

ISO 639
kao
Alternate Names
Kasonke, Kasso, Kasson, Kassonke, Khasonke, Khassonka, Khassonké, Malinke, Maninka, Xaasonga, Xasonga, Xasonke
Autonym
Xasongo
Population
700,000 in Mali (2012 V. Vydrin). Total users in all countries: 714,230.
Location:
Kayes region: Bafoulabé, Kayes, and Kéniéba circles.
Language Status
5 (Developing). Recognized language (1996, Law 96-049 of 14 December).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-West
Dialects
Xaasonga, Kéniéba Maninka. High intelligibility of Western Maninkakan [mlq], less of Bamanankan [bam], but for sociolinguistic reasons they are considered separate languages. 90% inherent intelligibility of Loma [loi]. Lexical similarity: 70% with Mandinka [mnk] of Gambia and Senegal.
Language Use
Used by all.
Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 2008.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Xaasongaxango
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
French spelling is Khassonké. Muslim.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Xasonga
User Population
2,130 in Gambia (2016).
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Gambia
Language Name
Xasonga
User Population
12,100 in Senegal (2017).
Location
Tambacounda region.
Language Status
6b (Threatened)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Muslim.
View other languages of Senegal

Map

Location: Kayes region: Bafoulabé, Kayes, and Kéniéba circles.