Bayot

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A language of Senegal

ISO 639-3
bda
Alternate Names
Baiot, Baiote, Bayoot, Bayotte, Jola Bayote
User Population

24,200 in Senegal (2020). Total users in all countries: 29,540.

Location

Ziguinchor region: villages in Nyassia commune; majority in urban areas and in the larger cities, including Dakar.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2011, Codification).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Bayot
Dialects

Essin (Kuhiŋe), Kugere. Minor differences between the main dialects in pronunciation and grammar. Phonology and vocabulary in Senegal are considerably different from the Bayot dialect(s) in Guinea-Bissau. Lexical similarity: 87% between the 2 dialects (Carlton and Rand 1993); 15%–18% with other Jola varieties (most similar), similarity mostly because of borrowings (Segerer 2010).

Language Use

L1 by all generations in the Nyassia municipality. Adults who have moved away speak it when possible but their children tend to speak Wolof [wol]. Close contact with the Nyassia area (2021 SIL). Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Many also use Jola-Fonyi [dyo], mostly adults who live in the Nyassia area. Many also use Wolof [wol], mostly the younger generation and also those who have moved away from the language area. Also use French [fra], used by educated people in official and public situations. Also use Guinea-Bissau Creole [pov].

Language Development

Beginning literacy classes. Grammar. Bible portions: 2013.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bayot
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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