Page Type: languageYalunka | Ethnologue

YAL ISO 639-3

Yalunka

Jalunga xuwiina’ Autonym

A language of Guinea

ISO 639
yal
Alternate Names
Dialonke, Djallonke, Dyalonke, Jalonke, Jalunga, Jalungas, Yalunke
Autonym
Jalunga xuwiina’
Population
112,000 in Guinea (2017 census). Total users in all countries: 180,700.
Location:
Faranah region: south toward Sierra Leone border, and Dinguiraye prefecture, Bafing river, Boukaria area; Labé region: northwest Mali prefecture; north Koubia and north Tougue subprefecture, Senegal-Mali border; Dinguiraye prefecture, Bafing river, Boukaria area; Boké region: Gaouala prefecture, enclave between Guinea-Bissau border and Koumbia.
Language Status
5* (Developing).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Susu-Yalunka
Dialects
Sulima, Firia. Reportedly similar to Susu [sus], but only marginally intelligible. Lexical similarity: 83%–92% among dialects.
Language Development
Dictionary. Bible: 2009.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Yalunka
Writing
Arabic script, Naskh variant [Arab]. Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Muslim.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Jalunga
User Population
9,000 in Mali (2002 SIL).
Location
Kayes region: Kéniéba circle, 3 enclaves.
Dialects
Bafing, Yalunka, Jalunga, Fontofa.
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
Muslim.
View other languages of Mali
Language Name
Yalunka
User Population
46,400 in Sierra Leone (2019).
Location
Northern province: Balaki subprefecture, Falaba and Yifin areas, Balaki, Bouria, Foulaya, Jouloubaya, Kunsi, and Solia villages.
Dialects
Musaia, Firia, Sulima.
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
Muslim, traditional religion.
View other languages of Sierra Leone
Language Name
Jalunga
User Population
13,300 in Senegal (2017), increasing.
Location
Kédougou region: intersection of Mali, Guinea, and Senegal borders.
Language Status
6a (Vigorous)
Other Comments
Muslim.
View other languages of Senegal

Map

Location: Faranah region: south toward Sierra Leone border, and Dinguiraye prefecture, Bafing river, Boukaria area; Labé region: northwest Mali prefecture; north Koubia and north Tougue subprefecture, Senegal-Mali border; Dinguiraye prefecture, Bafing river, Boukaria area; Boké region: Gaouala prefecture, enclave between Guinea-Bissau border and Koumbia.