Guinea
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Arabic, North Levantine Spoken
[apc] Users: 5,200 in Guinea (Leclerc 2014a). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic.
Badyara
[pbp] Boké region: Koundara prefecture. Users: 12,400 in Guinea (2017 census). Total users in all countries: 20,510. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Badara, Badian, Badjara, Badyaranke, Bigola, Gola, Pajade, Pajadinka. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda.
Baga Kaloum
[bqf] Boké region. Users: No known L1 speakers. The last speakers either died or assimilated to Susu [sus] by the 1950s (Camara et al 2014). Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Baga. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Southern, Mel, Temne, Baga.
Baga Koga
[bgo] Kindia region: between Pongo and Konkouré rivers, to Île de Kito. Users: Ethnic population: 5,000. Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Baka, Koba, Koga. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Southern, Mel, Temne, Baga.
Baga Manduri
[bmd] Boké region: Kanfarandé and Sansale subprefectures, 39 villages on delta islands between Nunez river and Komponi river. Users: 4,000 (2011 NTM). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Baga Mandori, Baga Mandouri, Baka, Barka, Madouri, Maduri, Mandari, Mandore, Mandori, Mandouri, Manduri. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Southern, Mel, Temne, Baga.
Baga Pokur
[bcg] Boké region: Boké prefecture, coast east of Nunez river; Binari and Mboteni villages on Boteni island. Users: 3,700 (2015 NTM). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Baga, Baga Binari, Baga Mboteni, Baga Poukour, Baga de Binari, Baka, Barka, Binari, Binari-Kouffin, Bohere, Era, Kaloum, Kalum, Mborin, Mboténi, Poukour, Pukur. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Southern, Mel, Temne, Baga.
Baga Sitemu
[bsp] Boké region: Boffa prefecture, Tougnifil subprefecture; Boké prefecture, Port-Kamsar subprefecture, Nunez river south bank. Users: 40,000 (2018 PBT). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Baka, Rio Pongo Baga, Sitemuú, Stem Baga, Tchitem. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Southern, Mel, Temne, Baga.
Baga Sobané
[bsv] Boké region: Boffa prefecture, between Kapatchez and Pongo rivers. Users: No known L1 speakers. The last speaker either died or shifted to Susu [sus] by the 1950s (Camara et al 2014). Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Baga, Baga Kakissa, Baka, Barka, Sobane, Sobané, Temne. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Southern, Mel, Temne, Baga.
Bandi
[bza] Nzérékoré region: Macenta prefecture, scattered. Users: 12,000 in Guinea (Leclerc 2014a). Status: Unestablished. Alternate Names: Bandé. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Southwestern, Mende-Loma, Mende-Bandi, Bandi.
Bassari
[bsc] Boké region: Gaoual prefecture; Labe region: Mali prefecture; border area northwest of Touba town, some northeast corner. Users: 12,400 in Guinea (2017 census). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Ayan, Basari, Biyan, Oneyan, Onian, Oniyan, Tenda Basari, Wo. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda.
Bullom So
[buy] Kindia region: a few speakers in Forecariah prefecture near Sierra Leone border. Users: Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Bolom, Bulem, Bullin, Bullun, Mandenyi, Mandingi, Mani, Mmani, Northern Bullom. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Southern, Mel, Bullom-Kissi, Bullom, Northern.
Dan
[dnj] Nzérékoré region: Lola prefecture, Kogota village on Côte d’Ivoire border. Users: 800 in Guinea (2001 G. Pruett). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Da, Dàn, Dã̀ã̀, Gio, Gio-Dan, Gyo, Yacouba, Yakuba. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Eastern, Southeastern, Guro-Tura, Tura-Dan-Mano, Tura-Dan.
French
[fra] Users: 3,320,000 in Guinea (Beck et al 2018), L2 users. Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Constitution, Article 1). Alternate Names: Français. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French.
Guinean Sign Language
[gus] Conakry region. Users: 64,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 38,000–76,000 deaf signers, assuming 0.3%–0.6% of total population. Other estimates: 528 deaf signers (2008 WFD); 27,000 total deaf in Guinea (2014 IMB). Status: 5 (Developing). Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language.
Jahanka
[jad] Boké region: central Gaoual prefecture, more than 60 villages on Tamine river upper reaches between Boké and Sangea towns. Users: 137,000 in Guinea (2017 census). Total users in all countries: 137,500. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Diakanka, Diakhanke, Diakkanke, Dyakanke, Jahanque, Jahonque, Jaxanka. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding.
Kakabe
[kke] Faranah region: Dabola prefecture, west and southwest of Faboula and Koumboulou towns; Mamou region: Sokotoro, Wure Kaba, and 33 other villages. Users: 10,000 (2012 V. Vydrin). Ethnic population: 50,000 (2012 V. Vydrin). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Fulajon Kan, Fulajonkan, Jon Kule, Ourekabakan. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Mokole.
Kissi, Northern
[kqs] Faranah region: Kissidougou prefecture; Nzérékoré region: Gueckedou and western Macenta prefectures. Users: 509,000 in Guinea (2017 census). Total users in all countries: 570,500. Status: 5* (Developing). De facto language of national identity. Alternate Names: Gizi, Kisie, Kissien, kìsìéí. Autonym: Kisi. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Southern, Mel, Bullom-Kissi, Kissi.
Kla-Dan
[lda] Nzérékoré region: Fakolidou, Farakouroudougou, Gbogboda, and Goh villages near Côte d’Ivoire border. About 30 villages between Beyla and Sinko. Users: Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Kla. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Eastern, Southeastern, Guro-Tura, Tura-Dan-Mano, Tura-Dan.
Kono
[knu] Nzérékoré region: Lola prefecture, east of Morissimandougou to Cote d’Ivoire border. Users: 99,300 (2017 census). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Southwestern, Kpelle.
Kpelle, Guinea
[gkp] Nzérékoré region: between Dondano and Nzebola towns. Users: 497,000 (2017 census). Status: 5* (Developing). De facto language of national identity. Alternate Names: Akpese, Gbese, Gerse, Gerze, Guerzé, Kpele, Kpelese, Kpelesetina, Kperese, Kpese, Kpwessi, Northern Kpele, Pessa, Pessy. Autonym: Kpɛlɛwoo. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Southwestern, Kpelle.
Kuranko
[knk] Faranah region: south Faranah and southeast Kissidougou prefectures; Kerouane prefecture, south Kouroussa; Kankan region: southwest. Users: 236,000 in Guinea (2017 census). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Koranko. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Mokole.
Landoma
[ldm] Boké region: between Guinea Bissau border and Kogon river, and Boke-Centre subprefecture southeast; Kindia region: north border Boffa and Telimele prefectures; Gaoual prefecture, 2 enclaves near Kambala and Koumbia. Users: 62,100 (2017 census). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Cocoli, Landouman, Landuma, Tiapi, Tyapi, Tyopi. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Southern, Mel, Temne, Baga.
Lele
[llc] Faranah and Nzérékoré regions: main centers are Kassadou, Tangalto, and Yombiro. Users: 48,700 (2017 census). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Mokole.
Limba, East
[lma] Mamou region: Mamou prefecture, Oure-Kaba subprefecture, on Sierra Leone border. Users: 4,000 in Guinea (Johnstone 1993). 2,000 speakers of the Ke subdialect of Northern Limba (1991 J. Kaiser). Total users in all countries: 4,800. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Yimba, Yumba. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Southern, Limba.
Mandingo
Maninka, Konyanka
[mku] Kankan and Nzérékoré regions: national reserve; Beyle, Kankan, Kerouane, Lola, and Macenta prefectures; Balanfe, Boukorodou, Diatela, Dyibarou, Kabadian Mallerou, and Ouanino villages along Beyla-Sinko road and north of Sinko (Gbasando dialect); Lola (Karagba dialect); Sokourala (Woroduu dialect). Users: 559,000 in Guinea (2017 census). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Koniaka, Konya, Konyakakan, Konyanka, Maninya. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-East, Southeastern Manding.
Maninka, Sankaran
[msc] Kankan region: east Kouroussa prefecture; Faranah region and prefecture; along Niger tributary, Serekoroba area. Users: Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Faranah, Sankarankan. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-East, Southeastern Manding.
Maninkakan, Eastern
[emk] Widespread and in all urban areas. Users: 3,100,000 in Guinea (2017 census). 73,500 Wasulu. Total users in all countries: 3,722,300. Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity. Alternate Names: Eastern Malinke, Kankan Maninka, Malinké, Mande, Maninga, Maninkakan, Maninkaxan, Southern Maninka. Autonym: Maninka. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-East, Southeastern Manding.
Mano
[mev] Nzérékoré region: Lola prefecture south of Lola town; Nzérékoré prefecture; Yomou prefecture, Dieke subprefecture. Users: 86,900 in Guinea (2017 census). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Mã́ã́, Maa, Maan, Mah, Manon, Mawe. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Eastern, Southeastern, Guro-Tura, Tura-Dan-Mano, Mano.
Manya
[mzj] Faranah and Nzérékoré regions: west Beyla and southeast Kissidougou prefectures; Macenta-Centre to Liberia border; Kankan region: Keroane prefecture, Diarradou. Users: 25,000 in Guinea (1997 G. Pruett). Ethnic population: 77,000 (Leclerc 2014a). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Mandingo, Maninya, Maninyakan, Maniya, Manya Kan, “Toma Maninya” (pej.), “Tuu Kɔlɔ Maninya” (pej.). Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-East, Southeastern Manding.
Mbulungish
[mbv] Boké region: Boké prefecture, Kanfarande subprefecture, 22 coastal villages north of Nunez river. Users: 5,000 (1998 B. Willits). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Baga Foré, Baga Monson, Black Baga, Bulunits, Longich, Mbulongish, Monchon, Monshon. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Mbulungish-Nalu.
Mogofin
[mfg] Boké region: Boffa and Boké prefectures. Users: 24,800 (2017 census). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Mikifore, Mixifore. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Mokole.
Nalu
[naj] Boké region: Boké prefecture; Nunez river mouth area and estuary. Users: 12,400 in Guinea (2017 census). Total users in all countries: 23,300. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Nalou. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Mbulungish-Nalu.
N’ko
[nqo] Widespread. Users: No known L1 speakers in Guinea. Ethnic population: No ethnic community. Total users in all countries: none known. Status: 9 (Second language only). Classification: Mixed language.
Pulaar
[fuc] Boké region: Koundara prefecture, north of Tamine river. Extreme northwest corner. Users: 5,700 in Guinea (Leclerc 2014a). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Fulfulde Pulaar, Haalpulaar, Peul, Peulh. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Fula, Western.
Pular
[fuf] Widespread. Users: 4,300,000 in Guinea (2017 census). Total users in all countries: 4,778,200. Status: 2 (Provincial). De facto language of national identity. Alternate Names: Foula Fouta, Fouta Djallon, Fulbe, Fulfulde Jalon, Fullo Fuuta, Futa Fula, Futa Jallon, Fuuta Jalon, Jalon, Poular. Autonym: Pular. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Fula, West Central.
Sarakolé
[snk] Boké region: Boké and Koundara; Kankan region: Kankan; Kindia region: Conakry and Kindia; Labé region: Badougoula, Linsan, and Manda. Users: 24,800 in Guinea (2017 census). Status: 7 (Shifting). Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Soninke-Bobo, Soninke-Boso, Soninke.
Susu
[sus] Widespread in southwest. Users: 2,200,000 in Guinea (2017 census). Total users in all countries: 2,434,140. Status: 5* (Developing). De facto language of national identity. Alternate Names: Sose, Soso, Soussou, Susoo. Autonym: Sosoxui. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Susu-Yalunka.
Toma
[tod] Faranah and Nzérékoré regions: Macenta, Kissidougou, and Gueckedou prefectures, between Macenta and Kissidougou towns. Users: 261,000 (2017 census). Status: 5* (Developing). De facto language of national identity. Alternate Names: Toa, Toale, Toali, Tooma. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Southwestern, Mende-Loma, Loma.
Wamey
[cou] Boké region: Koundara prefecture, Youkounkoun-Koundara area, to Senegal border; small border area in Gaoual prefecture, south bank, Tamine river. Users: 24,800 in Guinea (2017 census). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Cogniagui, Conhague, Coniagui, Koniagi, Konyagi, Tenda, Wamay, Wamei, Wameỹ, Wey. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda.
Yalunka
[yal] 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. Users: 112,000 in Guinea (2017 census). Total users in all countries: 180,700. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Dialonke, Djallonke, Dyalonke, Jalonke, Jalunga, Jalungas, Yalunke. Autonym: Jalunga xuwiina’. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Susu-Yalunka.
Zialo
[zil] Nzérékoré region: Macenta prefecture, Zembezou and Panziazou subprefectures. 45 villages. About third of Zialo speakers live in the cities of Guinea. Users: 25,000 (2010 V. Vydrin). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Shialu, Zialu, Ziolo, Ziyolo. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Southwestern, Mende-Loma.