Page Type: languageKanuri, Yerwa | Ethnologue

KNC ISO 639-3

Kanuri, Yerwa

Kanuri, Yerwa Kanuri Autonym

A language of Nigeria

ISO 639
knc
Alternate Names
Borno, Bornu, Central Kanuri, Kanouri, Kanoury, “Beriberi” (pej.)
Autonym
Kanuri, Yerwa Kanuri
Population
8,150,000 in Nigeria, all users. L1 users: 7,650,000 in Nigeria (2020). L2 users: 500,000. Total users in all countries: 8,825,500 (as L1: 8,325,500; as L2: 500,000).
Location:
Borno state: Bama, Gwoza, Kaga, Konduga, Kukawa, Maiduguri, Monguno, and Ngala LGAs; Gombe state: 1 enclave in each of Akko, Kwami, and Yamaltu-Deba LGAs; Yobe state: Damaturu, Fika, Fune, Geidam, Gujba, and Nguru LGAs.
Language Status
3 (Wider communication). De facto language of provincial identity in Borno, Yobe, and Gombe states, used in education; widespread use generally.
Classification
Nilo-Saharan, Saharan, Western, Kanuri
Dialects
Kaga (Kagama), Lare (Lere), Kwayam (Koyam), Njesko, Kabari (Kuvuri), Ngazar, Guvja, Mao, Temageri, Fadawa, Yerwa. Kwayam dialect not understood by other Kanuri (Lukas 1937). Maiduguri dialect mutually intelligible. Reportedly most similar to Manga Kanuri [kby] and Tumari Kanuri [krt]. Yerwa is central dialect. A member of macrolanguage Kanuri [kau].
Typology
SOV.
Language Use
Used as L2 by Kibaku [ckl], Putai [mfl].
Language Development
Radio. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 1997.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kanuri, Yerwa
Writing
Arabic script, Naskh variant [Arab]. Latin script [Latn], used since 1949.
Other Comments
Muslim.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Kanuri, Yerwa
User Population
56,500 in Cameroon (1982 SIL).
Location
Far North region: Diamaré division, Bogo and Maroua subdivisions; Mayo Danay and Mayo Kani divisions, as far as Guirvidig and Mindif; Mayo-Sava division, mainly north of Mora between Limani and Boundéri, and Kolofata subdivisions.
Dialects
Mowor (Movar), Dagara, Kaga (Kagama), Sugurti, Lare, Kwayam, Njesko, Kabari (Kuvuri), Ngazar, Guvja, Mao, Temageri, Fadawa, Maiduguri.
Language Status
5 (Dispersed)
Other Comments
Muslim.
View other languages of Cameroon
Language Name
Kanuri, Yerwa
User Population
80,000 in Niger (1998).
Location
Diffa region: Banda area, west of Lake Chad, along Nigeria border.
Dialects
Movar (Mavar, Mobber, Mober, Mowor).
Language Status
5 (Dispersed)
Other Comments
Movar may be a separate language. Muslim.
View other languages of Niger
Language Name
Bornu
User Population
348,000 in Sudan (2017).
Location
Scattered, in South Darfur, South Kordofan, West Darfur, and West Kordofan states and other regions.
Dialects
Dagara, Kaga (Kagama), Sugurti, Lare, Kwayam, Njesko, Kabari (Kuvuri), Ngazar, Guvja, Mao, Temageri, Fadawa, Maiduguri.
Language Status
6a (Vigorous)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Known as Bornu in Sudan.
View other languages of Sudan
Language Name
Kanuri, Yerwa
User Population
191,000 in Chad (2019). 34,500 in Chari-Baguirmi and 23,300 in N’Djamena.
Location
Chari-Baguirmi, Hadjer-Lamis, Mayo-Kebbi Est regions.
Dialects
Dagara, Kaga (Kagama), Sugurti, Lare, Kwayam, Njesko, Kabari (Kuvuri), Ngazar, Guvja, Mao, Temageri, Fadawa.
Language Status
5 (Dispersed)
Other Comments
Muslim.
View other languages of Chad

Map

Location: Borno state: Bama, Gwoza, Kaga, Konduga, Kukawa, Maiduguri, Monguno, and Ngala LGAs; Gombe state: 1 enclave in each of Akko, Kwami, and Yamaltu-Deba LGAs; Yobe state: Damaturu, Fika, Fune, Geidam, Gujba, and Nguru LGAs.