Bagirmi

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A language of Chad

ISO 639-3
bmi
Alternate Names
Baghirmi, Bagrimma, Baguirme, Baguirmi, Lis, Lisi, Mbarma, Tar Bagrimma, Tar Barma
Autonym
Barma
User Population

44,800 in Chad (1993 census).

Location

Chari-Baguirmi region: Massenya subprefecture, Massenya area, Bousso subprefecture, Bousso area; Mayo-Kebbi Est and Moyen-Chari regions. West of Massenya and along Chari river between Guélendeng and N’Djamena (Bangri dialect); Chari river from Bousso to Guélendeng (Dam dialect); Massenya (Gol dialect); east of Massenya (Kibar dialect).

Language Maps
Language Status

3 (Wider communication). Widely spoken as L2 or becoming L1 in neighboring people groups.

Classification
Nilo-Saharan, Satellite-Core, Satellites, Central Sudanic, West, Bongo-Bagirmi, Sara-Bagirmi, Bagirmi
Dialects

Gol, Kibar, Bangri, Dam. Many dialects.

Language Use

The language of the ancient Bagirmi kingdom. Also use Chadian Spoken Arabic [shu]. Used as L2 by Boor [bvf], Gadang [gdk], Kwang [kvi], Laal [gdm], Miltu [mlj], Sarua [swy].

Language Development

Almost no use in written form. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 2017.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bagirmi
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Relatively small language used vehicularly in a limited area. Muslim.