Duala
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A language of Cameroon
87,700 (1982 SIL).
Littoral region: Moungo division, Dibombari area; Nkam division, toward Yabassi town along Wouri river; Wouri division, Cameroon estuary area; South West region: Fako division, both sides of Mungo river.
3 (Wider communication). First spoken in Cameroon in 1650 by immigrants who arrived from Congo and who settled in the estuary of Wouri River, site of present-day Duala city. In 1845 a mission was opened in Duala, and by 1875 Duala had become the lingua franca for many ethnic groups in Cameroon. Duala is now the most widely spoken language in the largest city in Cameroon and is used in all domains, including trade, church, education, and communication (‘drum language’ as earlier form).
Bodiman, Mungo (Mongo, Mungu, Muungo), Oli (Ewodi, Koli, Ouri, Uli, Wouri, Wuri), Pongo. Related to Malimba [mzd].
All also use French [fra]. Some also use Cameroon Pidgin [wes]. Some also use English [eng], especially those Duala who live in the South West Region. A few also use Basa [bzw]. Used as L2 by Bafaw-Balong [bwt], Bakaka [bqz], Bankon [abb], Barombi [bbi], Basaa [bas], Bubia [bbx], Isu [szv], Malimba [mzd], Mbo [mbo], Mokpwe [bri].
Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. Taught in primary schools. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1872–1970.
Christian.