Pulaar

A language of Senegal

Location

Widespread.

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Gambia

Language NamePulaar

User Population

377,000 in Gambia (2018).

Location

Central River, Lower River, North Bank, and Upper River divisions.

Alternate Names

Fulani, Fulbe Jeeri, Fulfulde-Pulaar, Peul, Peulh, Pulaar Fulfulde

Dialects

Fulacunda (Fulakunda, Fulkunda), Toucouleur (Haalpulaar, Halpulaar, Tukolor, Tukulor).

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Language Use

Fulbe Jeeri, Toucouleur, and Fulacunda are ethnic groups that speak Pulaar. Used by all. Many also use English [eng], as the language of education and government (Biel 2014). Also use Gambian Wolof [wof], as the language of commerce and media (Biel 2014). Also use Mandinka [mnk].

Language Development

An official literacy committee is concerned with Pulaar.

Other Comments

Muslim, Christian.

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Guinea

Language NamePulaar

User Population

5,700 in Guinea (Leclerc 2014a).

Location

Boké region: Koundara prefecture, north of Tamine river. Extreme northwest corner.

Alternate Names

Fulfulde Pulaar, Haalpulaar, Peul, Peulh

Dialects

Toucouleur (Futa Toro, Pulaar, Tukolor, Tukulor), Fulacunda (Fula Preto, Fulakunda, Fulkunda).

Language Status

5* (Developing).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Sarakolé [snk].

Other Comments

Many Arabic loans. The official orthography is different from that used elsewhere. Muslim.

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Guinea-Bissau

Language NamePulaar

User Population

323,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2018).

Location

Bafata region: especially south of Geba river; Gabu region: central and north; Tombali region: between Aldeia Formosa and Carubel river.

Alternate Names

Fulfulde-Pulaar, Peul, Peulh, Pulaar Fulfulde

Dialects

Fulacunda (Fula Forro, Fula Preto, Fulakunda, Fulkunda), Fula de Gabu.

Language Status

5* (Developing).

Language Use

Vigorous. Most also use Guinea-Bissau Creole [pov], as the language of interethnic unity, communication, and commerce. Some also use Portuguese [por], as the language of education and communication with foreigners. Used as L2 by Soninke [snk].

Language Development

Taught in primary schools as subject.

Other Comments

Muslim.

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Mali

Language NamePulaar

User Population

276,000 in Mali (2018).

Location

Kayes region: Diema, northwest Kayes, Nioro, and Yelimané circles; Koulikoro region: Banamba, north Kolokani, and Nara circles.

Alternate Names

Peuhl, Peul, Pulaar Fulfulde

Dialects

Toucouleur (Fulbe Jeeri, Haalpulaar, Halpulaar, Pulaar, Tukolor, Tukulor).

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Language Use

Fulbe Jeeri is an ethnic group which speaks Pulaar as L1. Used by all. Used as L2 by Soninke [snk].

Other Comments

Muslim.

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Mauritania

Language NamePulaar

User Population

267,000 in Mauritania (2017).

Location

Brakna, Gorgol, and Trarza regions, near Senegal.

Alternate Names

Peul

Dialects

Toucouleur (Haalpulaar, Pulaar, Tukulor).

Language Status

5 (Developing). Statutory language of national identity (1991, Constitution, Article 6).

Language Use

Home, religion, market. Used by all. Positive attitudes. All also use French [fra], as the language of education, media and government. Most also use Hassaniyya [mey], as the language of commerce and interethnic communication. Many also use Standard Arabic [arb], as the language of government, media, and religion (Ould Ahmed 2012). Used as L2 by Soninke [snk].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 30% in Arabic [arb], 40% in French [fra].

Other Comments

Fuuta Tooro (Fouta Toro) was a major Toucouleur geopolitical state, with center in northern Senegal. Muslim.

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Pulaar

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A language of Senegal

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