Page Type: languageKaron | Ethnologue

KRX ISO 639-3

Karon

Kuloonaay Autonym

A language of Senegal

ISO 639
krx
Alternate Names
Jola-Karone, Kaloon, Karone, Karoninka, Kouloonaay, Kulonay
Autonym
Kuloonaay
Population
11,600 in Senegal (2017), increasing. A few hundred elderly monolinguals. Total users in all countries: 22,400.
Location:
Ziguinchor region: Bignona department, Kafountine area and north; Kalisseye inlet to Casamance river, to Gambian border, east to Dioloulou; Karon islands.
Language Status
6a (Vigorous).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Karon-Mlomp
Dialects
None known. Lexical similarity: 64% with Mlomp [mlo], the most similar (Jola) language.
Language Use
Home, market. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Many also use French [fra], as the language of education and government (Diouf et al 2017). Many also use Wolof [wol], as the language of commerce and interethnic communication (Sarr and Thiaw 2012). Also use Jola-Fonyi [dyo]. Also use Mandinka [mnk].
Language Development
Bible portions: 2016–2019.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Karon
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Strong desire to develop the language and preserve the culture.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Karon
User Population
10,800 in Gambia (2016), increasing. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 60,000.
Location
West Coast division: south coast, from Senegal border north to Brikama.
Language Status
6a (Vigorous)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Most live among other ethnic groups in villages where they form a minority group, except Darsilami village on the border, where they form a large percentage. Gambian Karons maintain strong links with the ‘heartland’—Karon islands in south Senegal.
View other languages of Gambia

Map

Location: Ziguinchor region: Bignona department, Kafountine area and north; Kalisseye inlet to Casamance river, to Gambian border, east to Dioloulou; Karon islands.