Mali

French

[fra] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1992, Constitution, Article 25). 3,238,000 in Mali, all users. L1 users: 18,000 in Mali (2019). L2 users: 3,220,000 (2018).

3 (Wider communication)

Bamanankan

[bam] 3 (Wider communication). Recognized language (1982, Decree No. 159 of 19 July, Article 1). Bamanankan serves as lingua franca everywhere, except for the northeastern part of the country. Bamanankan is the form of Jula [dyu] recognized by the Malian government. Used for travel, market, and business communication. 14,000,000 in Mali, all users. L1 users: 4,000,000 in Mali (2012 V. Vydrin), increasing. 75,000 Ganadugu (Vanderaa 1991), 164,000 Wasulu (2009 census). L2 users: 10,000,000 (2012 V. Vydrine). Total users in all countries: 14,183,340 (as L1: 4,183,340; as L2: 10,000,000).

Jula

[dyu] 3 (Wider communication). Used for travel, market, and business communication. 388,000 in Mali, all users. L1 users: 110,000 in Mali (2018). L2 users: 278,000 (2013 SIL).

4 (Educational)

Arabic, Standard

[arb] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1992, Constitution, Article 25), used in education. 41,800 in Mali (2015 SIL), all users.

Dogon, Toro So

[dts] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1982, Decree No. 159 of 19 July, Article 1). 50,000 (1998 J. Durieux).

Fulfulde, Maasina

[ffm] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1982, Decree No. 159 of 19 July, Article 1). 1,040,000 in Mali (2014 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 1,523,240.

Sénoufo, Mamara

[myk] 4 (Educational). Recognized language (1982, Decree No. 159 of 19 July, Article 1). 738,000 (2000).

5 (Dispersed)

Arabic, Hasanya

[mey] 5 (Dispersed). Recognized language (1996, Law 96-049 of 14 December). 123,000 in Mali (2014 UNSD).

Pular

[fuf] 5 (Dispersed). 50,000 in Mali (Vanderaa 1991).

Zarmaci

[dje] 5 (Dispersed). 1,700 in Mali (2012 G. Davis).

5 (Developing)

Bomu

[bmq] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1982, Decree No. 159 of 19 July, Article 1). 297,000 in Mali (2018). Total users in all countries: 353,000.

Bozo, Jenaama

[bze] 5 (Developing). 197,000 in Mali (2003 SIL), increasing.

Bozo, Tieyaxo

[boz] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1982, Decree No. 159 of 19 July, Article 1). 118,000 (1987 census). Population may include Tiemacèwè Bozo [boo] and Kelengaxo Bozo [bzx].

Dogon, Donno So

[dds] 5 (Developing). 45,300 (1998 J. Durieux).

Jalunga

[yal] 5 (Developing). 9,000 in Mali (2002 SIL).

Jowulu

[jow] 5 (Developing). 17,000 in Mali (2021 SIL), increasing. Ethnic population: 20,000 (2021 SIL). Total users in all countries: 18,000.

Koromfé

[kfz] 5 (Developing). 6,000 in Mali (2011 SIL).

Langue des signes de l’Afrique francophone

[ase] 5 (Developing). 25,000 in Mali (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 40,000–65,000 people with profound hearing loss in Mali (Nyst 2015), of which approximately half are assumed here to use LSAF [ase].

Maninkakan, Western

[mlq] 5 (Developing). 433,000 in Mali (2009 census).

Pulaar

[fuc] 5 (Developing). 276,000 in Mali (2018).

Sénoufo, Supyire

[spp] 5 (Developing). 350,000 (2007 SIL). 100,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 500,000 (2007 SIL).

Sénoufo, Syenara

[shz] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1982, Decree No. 159 of 19 July, Article 1). 155,000 (2010 SIL), decreasing.

Songhay, Koyra Chiini

[khq] 5 (Developing). 200,000 (1999 SIL), increasing.

Songhay, Koyraboro Senni

[ses] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1982, Decree No. 159 of 19 July, Article 1). 430,000 (2007 SIL), increasing. 300,000 monolinguals (2007 SIL). Ethnic population: 850,000.

Soninke

[snk] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1982, Decree No. 159 of 19 July, Article 1). 1,280,000 in Mali (2009 census), increasing. Total users in all countries: 2,189,250.

Tamasheq

[taq] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1982, Decree No. 159 of 19 July, Article 1). 378,000 in Mali (2014 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 500,000.

Xaasongaxango

[kao] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1996, Law 96-049 of 14 December). 700,000 in Mali (2012 V. Vydrin). Total users in all countries: 714,230.

6a (Vigorous)

Bangime

[dba] 6a (Vigorous). 2,000 (Blench 2005).

Bankagooma

[bxw] 6a (Vigorous). 6,000 (2007 SIL). Ethnic population: 6,000.

Bozo, Kelengaxo

[bzx] 6a (Vigorous). 30,000 (2009 SIL).

Bozo, Tiemacèwè

[boo] 6a (Vigorous). 2,500 (1991).

Dogon, Ampari

[aqd] 6a (Vigorous). 5,200 (1998 SIL).

Dogon, Bankan Tey

[dbw] 6a (Vigorous). 1,320 (1998 census).

Dogon, Ben Tey

[dbt] 6a (Vigorous). 3,000 (2005 J. Heath).

Dogon, Bondum Dom

[dbu] 6a (Vigorous). 24,700 (1998 J. Durieux).

Dogon, Dogul Dom

[dbg] 6a (Vigorous). 15,700 (1998 J. Durieux).

Dogon, Jamsay

[djm] 6a (Vigorous). 130,000 in Mali (1998 J. Durieux).

Dogon, Mombo

[dmb] 6a (Vigorous). 19,000 (1998 SIL).

Dogon, Nanga Dama

[nzz] 6a (Vigorous). 3,000 (2009 SIL).

Dogon, Tebul Ure

[dtu] 6a (Vigorous). 3,000 (2005 FEL).

Dogon, Tene Kan

[dtk] 6a (Vigorous). 127,000 (1998 J. Durieux).

Dogon, Tiranige Diga

[tde] 6a (Vigorous). 4,200 (1998 SIL).

Dogon, Tommo So

[dto] 6a (Vigorous). 60,000 (1998 SIL).

Dogon, Tomo Kan

[dtm] 6a (Vigorous). 133,000 in Mali (1998 J. Durieux).

Dogon, Toro Tegu

[dtt] 6a (Vigorous). 2,900 (1998 J. Durieux).

Dogon, Yanda Dom

[dym] 6a (Vigorous). 2,000 (Blench 2005).

Duungooma

[dux] 6a (Vigorous). 150,000 (2018).

Konabéré

[bbo] 6a (Vigorous). 25,000 in Mali (2007 SIL). Few monolinguals.

Malian Sign Language

[bog] 6a* (Vigorous). 25,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 40,000–65,000 people with profound hearing loss in Mali (Nyst 2015), of which approximately half are assumed here to use Malian Sign Language [bog].

Maninkakan, Eastern

[emk] 6a (Vigorous). 390,000 in Mali (2014 UNSD).

Maninkakan, Kita

[mwk] 6a (Vigorous). Recognized language (1996, Law 96-049 of 28 December). 434,000 (2014 UNSD).

Marka

[rkm] 6a (Vigorous). 50,800 in Mali (2014 UNSD).

Mòoré

[mos] 6a (Vigorous). 46,700 in Mali (2018).

Sàmòmá

[knz] 6a (Vigorous). 2,500 in Mali (2014 UNSD).

Sénoufo, Shempire

[seb] 6a (Vigorous). 14,800 in Mali (2009 T. Requadt).

Sénoufo, Sìcìté

[sep] 6a (Vigorous). 3,000 in Mali (2007 SIL).

Songhay, Humburi Senni

[hmb] 6a (Vigorous). 15,000 in Mali (1999 J. Heath). Total users in all countries: 25,000.

Tadaksahak

[dsq] 6a (Vigorous). 158,000 in Mali (2018), increasing. 70,000 youth are monolingual. Total users in all countries: 159,800.

Tamajaq

[ttq] 6a (Vigorous). 420,000 in Mali (2018).

Tebul Sign Language

[tsy] 6a* (Vigorous). 500 (2007 SIL).

Tondi Songway Kiini

[tst] 6a (Vigorous). 3,000 (1998 SIL).

6b (Threatened)

Bolon

[bof] 6b (Threatened). 5,920 in Mali (1998 SIL).

Dogon, Ana Tinga

[dti] 6b (Threatened). 500 (2005 D. Douyon and R. Blench).

Dogon, Bunoge

[dgb] 6b (Threatened). 1,000 (2005 D. Douyon and R. Blench).

Jahanka

[jad] 6b* (Threatened). 500 in Mali (2001), decreasing.

Kagoro

[xkg] 6b* (Threatened). 15,000 (2001 V. Vydrin). Ethnic population: 30,000 (2001 V. Vydrin).

Pana

[pnq] 6b (Threatened). 2,800 in Mali (1982 SIL), decreasing.

Samo, Matya

[stj] 6b* (Threatened). 1,000 in Mali (2013 SIL).

Unestablished

Siamou

[sif] Unestablished. 34,700 in Mali (2018).

Primary tabs

Browse by

25th Edition

Products

Related Sites