Page Type: languageVame | Ethnologue

MLR ISO 639-3

Vame

Vamé Autonym

A language of Cameroon

ISO 639
mlr
Alternate Names
Maslava, Pelasla, Pǝlasla
Autonym
Vamé
Population
8,500 (1992 SIL). Few monolinguals.
Location:
Far North region: Mayo-Sava division, Mora and Tokombéré subdivisions, southern Mora massif south of Mora.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Chadic, Biu-Mandara, A, A.5
Dialects
Ndreme, Hurzo, Pelasla (Pǝlasla). Pelasla is reportedly more similar to Wuzlam [udl] than the other dialects are.
Language Use
Pelasla men almost always marry Wuzlam women; children grow bilingual in their own home. Home, village, church, public meetings. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Adamawa Fulfulde [fub]. Also use French [fra], especially educated youth. Also use Wandala [mfi]. Also use Wuzlam [udl]. Used as L2 by Wuzlam [udl].
Language Development
Plans for use in primary schools. Secondary pupils come from 4 different language groups (Wuzlam, Vame, Muyang and Mada). Older population largely illiterate; schoolchildren can read French and those who have been to Vame literacy classes can read Vame, also some Pelasla adults have learned Fulfulde in the church literacy classes. Many children do not go to school; parents do not always find education important. Literature. Videos. Dictionary. Texts. Bible portions: 2007.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Vame
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Pelasla is one of 6 ethnic groups: Pelasla, Mbreme, Ndereme, Afaem, Dumwa, Hurzo. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Far North region: Mayo-Sava division, Mora and Tokombéré subdivisions, southern Mora massif south of Mora.