Senegal
PrintPrimary tabs
Arabic, North Levantine Spoken
[apc] Users: 88,300 in Senegal (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic.
Badyara
[pbp] Kolda region: 1 village west of Koulountou river; Tambacounda region: east of the river. Users: 2,540 in Senegal (2017). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Badian, Badjara, Badjaranké, Bajara, Bigola, Gola, Kanjad, Pajade, Pajadinca, Pajadinka. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda.
Bainouk-Gunyaamolo
[bcz] Sédhiou and Ziguinchor regions: Niamone area, Bangaga, Diamatou, Diengue, Dierena, Kanjumbay, Kassankil, and Tobor villages; Dakar; Kaolack, Kolda, and Tambacounda regions. Users: 30,000 (2013). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Bagnoun, Bainuk, Banhum, Banyuk, Banyum, Banyun, Banyung, Elomay, Elunay, Guñuun Ñuñ. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Banyun.
Bainouk-Samik
[bcb] Casamance river south side, mainly Samik area and villages north and east, 20 km east of Ziguinchor. Users: 1,850 (2006 J. Leclerc). Status: 6b (Threatened). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Banyun.
Balanta-Ganja
[bjt] Sédhiou region: north of the Casamance river between Sindina and Sédhiou, south of the river between Mangakounda Goudomp and Tanaff, and south to the Guinea-Bissau border. Users: 116,000 (2017). Status: 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 979 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Alante, Balanda, Balant, Balante, Ballante, Belante, Brassa, Bulanda, Fjaa, Fraase. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Balant-Ganja.
Bambara
[bam] Tambacounda region: near Mali border. Users: 84,700 in Senegal (2017). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-East, Northeastern Manding, Bamana.
Bandial
[bqj] Ziguinchor region: Bignona department, Affiniam, Badiate-Grand, Bandial, Batinier, Brin, Elubalir, Enampor, Essil, Etama, Kamobeul, and Seleky villages on a peninsula bounded by the Casamance river north, the Komobeul Bôlon river west, Ziguinchor-Oussouye road south, and Brin-Nyassia road east. The only village north of the Casamance River is Affiniam. Users: 15,700 in Senegal (2017). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Banjaal, Banjal, Eegima, Eegimaa, Endungo, Jóola Banjal. Autonym: Gubanjalay, Gújjolaay Eegimaa. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Jola Central, Gusilay.
Bayot
[bda] Ziguinchor region: villages in Nyassia commune; majority in urban areas and in the larger cities, including Dakar. Users: 24,200 in Senegal (2020). Total users in all countries: 29,540. Status: 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2011, Codification). Alternate Names: Baiot, Baiote, Bayoot, Bayotte, Jola Bayote. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Bayot.
Casamance Creole
[pov] Ziguinchor region: Ziguinchor city and surrounding villages. Users: 30,000 in Senegal, all users. L1 users: 10,000 in Senegal (Biagui and Quint 2013), decreasing. A significant population (2,500) speaks Casamancese Creole in Dakar (Biagui and Quint 2013). L2 users: 20,000 (Biagui and Quint 2013). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Casamancese Creole, Casamançais, Créole, Créole afro-portugais de Casamance, Créole casamançais, Créole de Casamance, Kriyol, Portuguese Creole, Upper Guinea Crioulo. Classification: Creole, Portuguese based.
Ejamat
[eja] Ziguinchor region: a few villages south of Oussouye, including Kahem, Efok, Youtou. Users: 2,230 in Senegal (2006 SIL). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Ediamat, Feloup, Felup, Felupe, Floup, Flup, Fulup. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Jola Central, Her-Ejamat.
French
[fra] Widespread. Users: 4,210,000 in Senegal, all users. L1 users: 100,000 in Senegal (Diouf et al 2017). L2 users: 4,110,000 (2020). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2001, Constitution, Article 1). Alternate Names: Français. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French.
Fulah
[ful] A macrolanguage. Population total all languages (L1 only): 35,337,640. Includes: Adamawa Fulfulde [fub] (Cameroon), Bagirmi Fulfulde [fui] (Chad), Borgu Fulfulde [fue] (Benin), Central-Eastern Niger Fulfulde [fuq] (Niger), Maasina Fulfulde [ffm] (Mali), Nigerian Fulfulde [fuv] (Nigeria), Pulaar [fuc], Pular [fuf] (Guinea), Western Niger Fulfulde [fuh] (Niger).
Gusilay
[gsl] Ziguinchor region: Tionk Essil village, between Tendouck and Mlomp-North. Users: 21,800 (2017). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Gusiilay, Gusilaay, Kusiilaay, Kusilay. Autonym: Gusiilaay. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Jola Central, Gusilay.
Hassaniyya
[mey] Matam and Saint-Louis regions. Users: 196,000 in Senegal (2017). Status: 5 (Dispersed). Recognized language (2005, Decree No.980 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Hasaniya, Hasanya, Hassani, Hassaniya, Klem El Bithan. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic.
Jalunga
[yal] Kédougou region: intersection of Mali, Guinea, and Senegal borders. Users: 13,300 in Senegal (2017), increasing. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Dialonké, Djallonke, Dyalonke, Jalonké, Jalunga xuwiina’, Jalungas, Yalunka, Yalunke. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Susu-Yalunka.
Jola-Fonyi
[dyo] Sédhiou region: Casamance river area north of Senegal-Gambia border; Ziguinchor region: Bignona area and east and southeast of Ziguinchor town. Users: 340,000 in Senegal. 243,000 Fonyi, 96,700 Buluf. 34,000 monolinguals. Total users in all countries: 457,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2001, Constitution, Article 1). Alternate Names: Diola, Diola-Fogny, Dyola, Jola, Jola-Fogny, Joola-Fogny, Jóola, Kujamataak, Kújoolaak kati Kúfooñaak, Kújoolaay, Yola. Autonym: Jóola fóoñi. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Jola Central, Jola-Fonyi.
Jola-Kasa
[csk] Ziguinchor region: Bignona and Oussouye departments at Casamance river mouth; Hitou and Niamoun villages north of Casamance river. Users: 45,100 in Senegal (2007), increasing. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Bácuki, Casa, Diola-Kasa, Jóola-Kasa, kújoolowaay-kaasa. Autonym: Jóola Kaasa. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Jola Central, Jola-Kasa.
Kabuverdianu
[kea] Users: 39,000 in Senegal (2015 Instituto de Apoio ao Emigrante). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Creole, Portuguese based.
Karon
[krx] Ziguinchor region: Bignona department, Kafountine area and north; Kalisseye inlet to Casamance river, to Gambian border, east to Dioloulou; Karon islands. Users: 11,600 in Senegal (2017), increasing. A few hundred elderly monolinguals. Total users in all countries: 22,400. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Jola-Karone, Kaloon, Karone, Karoninka, Kouloonaay, Kulonay. Autonym: Kuloonaay. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Karon-Mlomp.
Kerak
[hhr] Ziguinchor region: Kabrousse village area southwest near Guinea-Bissau border. Users: 18,200 (2017). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Her, Keerak, Keeraku. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Jola Central, Her-Ejamat.
Kobiana
[kcj] Ziguinchor region: Gambian border area. Users: 500 in Senegal (2017). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Buy, Cobiana, Guboy, Uboi. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Nun.
Krio
[kri] Users: 7,380 in Senegal (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Creole, English based, Atlantic, Krio.
Kuwaataay
[cwt] Ziguinchor region: Boukot-Diola, Bouyouye, Diembering, and Nyikine coastal villages south of Casamance river mouth; Dakar. Users: 8,710 (2017). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Kwatay. Autonym: Kuwaataay. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Kwatay.
Laalaa
[cae] Tambacounda region: Tambacounda department, Missira district, Nguene and Saal villages; Thiès region: Tivaouane department, Pambal district. Users: 17,300 (2019 SIL). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Lala, Lehar, Serer. Autonym: Kelaalaa. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Cangin.
Mandinka
[mnk] Kolda region: Oussadou area on southeast border with Guinea; Sédhiou region: Casamance river north to The Gambia; Ziguinchor region: south of Casamance river. Users: 888,000 in Senegal (2017). Total users in all countries: 1,949,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 982 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Mande, Manding, Mandingo, Mandingue, Mandinque, Socé. Autonym: Mandi’nka kango. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-West.
Mandjak
[mfv] Sédhiou region: Soukoutoto southeast to Guinea border, Casamance river, both sides; Ziguinchor region: from capitol southeast to Guinea border. Users: 146,000 in Senegal (2017). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 983 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Kanyop, Majak, Mandjaque, Mandyak, Manjaaku, Manjaca, Manjack, Manjaco, Manjak, Manjaku, Ndjak. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Manjaku-Papel.
Maninkakan, Western
[mlq] Kédougou and Tambacounda regions: north of Gambia river; Kolda region: near easternmost point of The Gambia. Users: 1,630,000 in Senegal (2017). Total users in all countries: 2,067,260. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2001, Constitution, Article 1). Alternate Names: Malinka, Malinké, Maninga, Maninka, Maninka-Western, Maninkakan, Maninkaxan, Western Malinke. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-West.
Mankanya
[knf] Sédhiou region: Sédhiou city, Casamance river area; between Casamance and Soungrougrou rivers; Ziguinchior region: south along Casamance river, east and west of Ziguinchor city. Users: 41,100 in Senegal (2017), increasing. 3,000 monolinguals. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 984 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Mancagne, Mancang, Mankaañ, Mankanha, Uhula. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Manjaku-Papel.
Ménik
[tnr] Kédougou region: Gambia river headwaters and Guinea border. Users: 5,200 (2017). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 985 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Bande, Basari du Bandemba, Bedik, Budik, Manik, Münik, Onik, Tandanke, Tenda, Tendanke. Autonym: Ménik. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda.
Mlomp
[mlo] Ziguinchor region: Bignona department, Mlomp village on Tendouck to Tiobon road, surrounding villages. Users: 7,500 (2017). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Gulompaay, Mlomp North. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Karon-Mlomp.
Mòoré
[mos] Users: 44,800 in Senegal (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest.
Ndut
[ndv] Thiès region: between Thiès town and Atlantic coast. Users: 52,000 (2017). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Ndoute. Autonym: Ndút. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Cangin.
N’ko
[nqo] Scattered. Users: No known L1 speakers in Senegal. Ethnic population: No ethnic community. Status: 9 (Second language only). Classification: Mixed language.
Noon
[snf] Thiès region: Thiès town area. Users: 32,900 (2007). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 986 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Non, None, Serer, Serer-Noon. Autonym: Noon. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Cangin.
Oniyan
[bsc] Kédougou and Tambacounda regions: border areas. Users: 18,200 in Senegal (2017). Total users in all countries: 31,200. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 987 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Ayan, Basari, Bassari, Bassari-Tanda, Biyan, Onian, Onëyan, Tenda Basari, Wo. Autonym: Oniyan. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda.
Paloor
[fap] Thiès region: 26 villages north of Blaise Diagne international airport and southwest of Thiès town. Users: 22,000 (Thornell et al 2017), increasing. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Recognized language (2012, Codification (first draft)). Alternate Names: Falor, Palar, Palor, Serer, Siili, Siili-Mantine, Siili-Siili, Waro. Autonym: Paloor. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Cangin.
Papel
[pbo] Users: 7,500 in Senegal (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Manjaku-Papel.
Pulaar
[fuc] Widespread. Users: 4,150,000 in Senegal (2017). Total users in all countries: 5,398,700. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2001, Constitution, Article 1). Alternate Names: Peul, Peulh, Pulaar Fulfulde, Pël. Autonym: Pulaar. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Fula, Western.
Pular
[fuf] Dakar; Sédhiou region: Casamance area. Seasonal migrants from Guinea and elsewhere. Users: 150,000 in Senegal (2006 J. Leclerc). Status: 5 (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Fouta Dyalon, Fullo Fuuta, Futa Fula, Futa Jallon, Fuuta Jalon. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Fula, West Central.
Saafi-Saafi
[sav] Thiès region: between Nguekikh, Popenguine, and Thiès; Dakar region: airport area; 60 villages: 43 are over 80% Saafi, 8 are under 50%. Users: 200,000 (2012), increasing. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 2005-989 of 21 October). Alternate Names: Saafen, Saafi, Safen, Safi, Safi-Safi, Sereer Saafen, Serer-Safen, Serere-Saafen. Autonym: Saafi-Saafi. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Cangin.
Serer-Sine
[srr] Diourbel, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, and Thiès regions: Saloum and Sine river valleys; Saint-Louis region: some south of Senegal river, Thile-Boubacar area. Users: 1,660,000 in Senegal (2017). Total users in all countries: 1,712,300. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2001, Constitution, Article 1). Alternate Names: Seex, Sereer, Serer, Serer-Sin, Serrer, Sine-Saloum, Sine-Sine, Sérère-Sine. Autonym: Seereer. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Serer.
Soninke
[snk] 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. Users: 340,000 in Senegal (2017), increasing. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Recognized language (2001, Constitution, Article 1). Alternate Names: Sarakole, Sarakolle, Sarakule, Sarakulle, Sarangkolle, Saraxuli, Serahule, Soninkanxanne. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Soninke-Bobo, Soninke-Boso, Soninke.
Susu
[sus] Users: 44,800 in Senegal (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Susu-Yalunka.
Wamey
[cou] Kédougou region; a few in Tambacounda region; scattered along Guinea border. Users: 25,400 in Senegal (2017), decreasing. Total users in all countries: 50,200. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Conhague, Coniagui, Koniagui, Konyagi, Wamay, Wamei. Autonym: Wameỹ. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda.
Wolof
[wol] Widespread. Users: 12,208,000 in Senegal, all users. L1 users: 5,868,000 in Senegal (2013 census). L2 users: 6,340,000 (2017). Ethnic population: 6,900,000 (2017). Total users in all countries: 12,266,290 (as L1: 5,926,290; as L2: 6,340,000). Status: 3 (Wider communication). Recognized language (2001, Constitution, Article 1). Wolof has become an LWC through commerce and trade and is the lingua france in much of the country. The phenomenon of ‘wolofization’ has meant that people from many ethnic groups have adopted Wolof as their L1; most of the Senegalese population can speak and understand Wolof (2015 J. Leclerc). Alternate Names: Ouolof, Volof, Walaf, Waro-Waro, Yallof. Autonym: Wolof. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Wolof.
Xasonga
[kao] Tambacounda region. Users: 12,100 in Senegal (2017). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Kasonke, Kasso, Kasson, Kassonke, Khasonke, Xaasonga, Xaasongaxango, Xasongo, Xasonke. Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-West.