Page Type: languageMòoré | Ethnologue

MOS ISO 639-3

Mòoré

Mòoré Autonym

A language of Burkina Faso

ISO 639
mos
Alternate Names
Mole, Moose, More, Moré, Moshi, Mossi
Autonym
Mòoré
Population
6,360,000 in Burkina Faso (2009 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 7,984,800.
Location:
Widespread. Central Ouagadougou area.
Language Status
3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity. The Mossi (who are Mòoré speakers) settled in Burkina Faso in the tenth century and were the most powerful and influential ethnic group. Mòoré is spoken by more than half of the population of Burkina Faso. Spread throughout the central part of the country, with sub-populations in all major cities.
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest
Dialects
Saremdé, Taolendé, Yaadré, Ouagadougou, Yaande, Zaore (Joore), Yana (Jaan, Yanga). Yana dialect has over 90% intelligibility with the Ouagadougou dialect 75%–80% with the Joore dialect. Joore with Ouagadougou varies from 88% in Tibga to 95% in Diabo. Yanga in Togo, completely intelligible with Central Mòoré.
Typology
SVO; postpositions; genitives, articles, adjectives, numerals after noun heads; question word final; word order distinguishes subjects, objects; CV, CVC, CVV, CCV; tonal.
Language Use
Dominant African language of Burkina Faso. Used by all. Also use Jula [dyu]. Used as L2 by Bisa [bib], Dagaari Dioula [dgd], Gourmanchéma [gux], Kasem [xsm], Koromfé [kfz], Lyélé [lee], Malba Birifor [bfo], Matya Samo [stj], Maya Samo [sym], Sininkere [skq], Southern Nuni [nnw], Southern Samo [sbd].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 24% (2006 census). Used in adult literacy classes (2021 SIL). Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1983.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Mòoré
Writing
Braille script [Brai], developed in 2010. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.
Other Comments
Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Mòoré
User Population
1,360,000 in Côte d’Ivoire (Leclerc 2017c).
Language Status
6a (Vigorous)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Côte d’Ivoire
Language Name
Mòoré
User Population
140,000 in Ghana (2013 UNSD).
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Ghana
Language Name
Mòoré
User Population
46,700 in Mali (2018).
Location
Mopti region: Koro circle on Burkina Faso border, border area south of Koro town.
Language Status
6a (Vigorous)
Other Comments
Came from Burkina Faso during the colonial period. Traditional religion, Muslim.
View other languages of Mali
Language Name
Mòoré
User Population
44,800 in Senegal (2017).
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Senegal
Language Name
Mòoré
User Population
33,300 in Togo (Gblem-Poidi and Kantchoa 2012).
Location
Savanes region: Cinkassé prefecture, Cinkassé, Tabi, and Timbou villages north of Dapaong.
Dialects
Yanga (Jaan, Timbou, Yaan, Yam, Yan, Yana).
Language Status
6a (Vigorous)
View other languages of Togo

Map

Location: Widespread. Central Ouagadougou area.