Gyele

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A language of Cameroon

ISO 639-3
gyi
Alternate Names
Babinga, Bagiele, Bagyele, Bajele, Bajeli, Bakuele, Bekoe, Bogyel, Bogyeli, Bondjiel, Giele, Gieli, Gyeli
Autonym
Gyele
User Population

4,250 in Cameroon (2012 SIL). Total users in all countries: 4,300.

Location

Centre region: Nyong-et-Kéllé division; South region: Océan division, Bipindi, Campo, Kribi, and Lolodorf subdivisions, forested areas between Nyong and Ntem rivers, many near Campo-Maan Reserve.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest, A, Makaa-Njem (A.801)
Dialects

Bagyeli, Bakola (Bako), Likoya. Lexical similarity: high with Kwasio [nmg]. Much shared vocabulary in Bakola dialect with Basaa [bas]. Likoya is a contact variety; Gyele who live near Bulu [bum] speakers borrow from that language.

Language Use

Speakers often hide the fact that they have their own language. However, within the group, when no outsiders are present, they prefer Gyele. Home, with each other. Some of all ages. Most also use Kwasio [nmg]. A few also use French [fra]. Also use Basaa [bas]. Also use Bulu [bum]. Also use Ewondo [ewo]. Used as L2 by Kwasio [nmg].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 5% have some literacy in Gyele. Literacy rate in L2: Very few can read French [fra]. A Bipindi boarding school uses Gyele materials in elementary school, which produced some literacy among Bipindi area Gyele speakers. Not used in government schools, which more children are attending. Radio. Videos. Grammar. Texts. Bible portions: 1969–1987.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Gyele
Writing

Latin script [Latn], used since about 1987.

Other Comments

Pygmies, dispersed in small groups in the forest. Probably different from Bakola (Bakoya) pygmies of Gabon. Traditional religion.

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