Kom
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A language of Cameroon
233,000 (2005 CABTAL), increasing. 69,900 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 233,000.
North West region: south Boyo division, southeast of Wum town, northeast of Bamenda city; also major urban centers.
3 (Wider communication). Originated in Cameroon. Today used as a church language and/or in other domains by nine language groups.
Tonal.
Vigorous. All domains. Oral use in local administration, church, commerce, written use in church, letters. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Cameroon Pidgin [wes]. Some also use English [eng]. Some also use Lamnso’ [lns]. A few also use Babanki [bbk]. A few also use Bum [bmv]. A few also use Chung [cnq]. A few also use French [fra]. A few also use Mmen [bfm]. A few also use Oku [oku]. Used as L2 by Aghem [agq], Babanki [bbk], Bum [bmv], Chung [cnq], Kemedzung [dmo], Laimbue [lmx], Mmen [bfm], Noone [nhu].
Literacy rate in L1: 10%. Literacy rate in L2: 30%. First Kom alphabet developed by German missionaries in 1880s. 5% can write Kom. Taught in some primary schools in early grades only. Literature. Radio. Dictionary. Texts. NT: 2004. Agency: Kom Language Development Committee.
Christian, traditional religion.