SHU ISO 639-3
Arabic, Chadian Spoken
العربية (alearabia) Autonym
A language of Chad
- ISO 639
- shu
- Alternate Names
- Arabe Choa, Chad Arabic, Chadian Arabic, Chowa, L’arabe du Tchad, Shua, Shua Arabic, Shuwa, Shuwa Arabic, Suwa, Western Sudanic Arabic
- Autonym
- العربية (alearabia)
- Population
- 1,640,000 in Chad (2019), increasing. Total users in all countries: 2,061,220 (as L1: 1,991,220; as L2: 70,000).
- Location:
- Widespread, center and south.
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication).
- Classification
- Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
- Dialects
- Dialects depend on whether their speakers are sedentary or nomads, rural or urban, and on migration routes. A pidginized variety, commonly called, Bongor Arabic, is spoken as L2 by many in the Mayo-Kebbi and other parts of south Chad. A member of macrolanguage Arabic [ara].
- Language Use
- Positive attitudes. Used as L2 by Amdang [amj], Assangori [sjg], Bagirmi [bmi], Barein [bva], Berakou [bxv], Besme [bes], Bidiyo [bid], Bolgo [bvo], Bon Gula [glc], Boor [bvf], Bua [bub], Buduma [bdm], Dangaléat [daa], Dar Daju Daju [djc], Dar Sila Daju [dau], Dazaga [dzg], Fania [fni], Gula [glu], Gula Iro [glj], Jaya [jyy], Kanembu [kbl], Kenga [kyq], Kibet [kie], Koke [kou], Kulfa [kxj], Lagwan [kot], Maba [mde], Mabire [muj], Mararit [mgb], Marfa [mvu], Masalit [mls], Maslam [msv], Masmaje [mes], Massalat [mdg], Mawa [mcw], Mbara [mpk], Migaama [mmy], Mogum [mou], Mser [kqx], Mubi [mub], Mukulu [moz], Naba [mne], Runga [rou], Saba [saa], Sinyar [sys], Sokoro [sok], Tama [tma], Tamki [tax], Tedaga [tuq], Toram [trj], Tunia [tug], Zaghawa [zag], Zan Gula [zna], Zerenkel [zrn].
- Language Development
- Primary school program. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 2021.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Arabic, Chadian Spoken
- Writing
- Arabic script, Naskh variant [Arab]. Latin script [Latn].
- Other Comments
- Shuwa Arabic is the name used in other countries for the dialect near Lake Chad. Muslim.
Also Spoken in
- Language Status
- Unestablished
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Central African Republic
Language Name
Arabic, Shuwa
User Population
63,000 in Central African Republic (1996).
- Location
- Far North region: Diamaré, Logone-and-Chari, Mayo-Danay, and Mayo-Sava divisions; along Chari river between Lake Chad and Kousséri, pockets south of Kousséri.
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication)
- Other Comments
- Muslim. View other languages of Cameroon
Language Name
Arabic, Shuwa
User Population
145,000 in Cameroon, all users. L1 users: 75,000 in Cameroon (2005 SIL). L2 users: 70,000 (2013 SIL).
- Location
- Diffa region: Lake Chad north shore.
- Language Status
- 5 (Dispersed)
- Other Comments
- Muslim. View other languages of Niger
Language Name
Arabic, Shuwa
User Population
12,000 in Niger (2019).
- Location
- Borno state: Bama, Dikwa, Konduga, and Ngala LGAs; widespread in Borno and Yobe states following livestock movement.
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication)
- Other Comments
- The term, Shua, considered perjorative by some. Muslim. View other languages of Nigeria
Language Name
Arabic, Shuwa
User Population
200,000 in Nigeria (2020 Joshua Project).
Map
Location: Widespread, center and south.
Size and Vitality
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