Page Type: languageSoninke | Ethnologue

SNK ISO 639-3

Soninke

Sooninkanxanne Autonym

A language of Mali

ISO 639
snk
Alternate Names
Aswanek, Aswanik, Azer, Ceddo, Cheddo, Gangara, Genger, Kwara, Maraka, Marka, Markaajo, Markakan, Sarakole, Sarakolle, Sarakule, Sarakulle, Sarangkole, Sarangkolle, Saraxuli, Sebbe, Serahule, Serecole, Sooninke, Wakkore, Wankara
Autonym
Sooninkanxanne
Population
1,280,000 in Mali (2009 census), increasing. Total users in all countries: 2,189,250.
Location:
Kayes region: Kayes, Nioro, and Yélimané circles; Koulikoro region: Banamba, Kolokani, Koulikoro, and Nara circles; Ségou region: Baraouéli and Ségou circles. 6 principal towns, 163 villages.
Language Status
5 (Developing). Recognized language (1982, Decree No. 159 of 19 July, Article 1).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Soninke-Bobo, Soninke-Boso, Soninke
Dialects
Kinbakka, Kinxenna, Geriga (Giriga). Giriga dialect heavily influenced by Hassaniya Arabic [mey].
Language Use
Vigorous. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Bamanankan [bam]. Also use French [fra]. Also use Hassaniyya [mey]. Also use Pulaar [fuc]. Used as L2 by Kagoro [xkg].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 5%–10%. At Bamako university, there are now many more Soninke students who choose this language than before, and numbers are rising. The language is also used in adult education in the Soninke region, especially around Yelimané (2013 SIL). Taught in some elementary schools. Literature. Newspapers. Radio. TV. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible portions: 2001–2012.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Soninke
Writing
Arabic script, Naskh variant [Arab]. Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Different from Marka [rkm]. Muslim.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Soninke
User Population
185,000 in Côte d’Ivoire (Leclerc 2017c).
Location
Major cities.
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Muslim.
View other languages of Côte d’Ivoire
Language Name
Serahule
User Population
130,000 in Gambia (2018), increasing.
Location
Southeast corner, mainly MacCarthy Island and Upper River divisions. 17 villages.
Dialects
Kinxenna, Kinbakka.
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. The Soninke of The Gambia and those of southern Senegal, Kolda region, form one contiguous, cross-border language community. Muslim.
View other languages of Gambia
Language Name
Sarakolé
User Population
24,800 in Guinea (2017 census).
Location
Boké region: Boké and Koundara; Kankan region: Kankan; Kindia region: Conakry and Kindia; Labé region: Badougoula, Linsan, and Manda.
Language Status
7 (Shifting)
View other languages of Guinea
Language Name
Soninke
User Population
5,450 in Guinea-Bissau (2018).
Location
Gabu region: Pirada and Sonaco sectors; scattered in other major towns and cities.
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Trace their origins to Gambia and Mali. Ethnic groups: Aser, Aswanik, Gadyaga, Marka, Markanka, Nono, Saracole, Sarawule, Serahuli, Tonbakai, Wakove. Muslim.
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Language Name
Soninke
User Population
219,000 in Mauritania (2017), increasing.
Location
Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, and Guidimaka regions: Kaedi and Selibaby towns; 45 villages.
Dialects
Azer (Adjer, Aser), Kinxenna, Kinbakka.
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
Muslim.
View other languages of Mauritania
Language Name
Soninke
User Population
340,000 in Senegal (2017), increasing.
Location
Kolda region: north of Velingara; Matam region: Kanel district; Tambacounda region: Koudi area along Senegal river south bank (Kinxenna dialect). 42 villages, Bakel, Moudéri, Ouaoundé, and Yaféra are principal towns.
Dialects
Kinxenna.
Language Status
6a (Vigorous)
Other Comments
Kolda region Soninke trace their origins back to the eastern dialect area of Mali (Kinbakka); northeastern Senegal group is part of the western Mali group (Kinxenna). Thus, significant differences exist between dialects of the 2 geographical groups in Senegal. Extensive interaction between Soninke of The Gambia and those of southern Senegal, Kolda region. Kolda region speakers are geographically isolated from those in northeastern Senegal. Muslim.
View other languages of Senegal
Language Name
Soninke
User Population
5,000 in United States (2011 C. Clayman).
Location
New York: New York City.
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of United States

Map

Location: Kayes region: Kayes, Nioro, and Yélimané circles; Koulikoro region: Banamba, Kolokani, Koulikoro, and Nara circles; Ségou region: Baraouéli and Ségou circles. 6 principal towns, 163 villages.