Hausa

A language of Nigeria

Location

Widespread.

Also spoken in:

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Algeria

Language NameHausa

User Population

11,600 in Algeria (2020).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Benin

Language NameHausa

User Population

1,056,000 in Benin (2019 Joshua Project), L2 users.

Location

Widespread north: Alibori, Atacora, Borgou, and Donga departments, mainly in larger towns, market villages.

Language Status

3 (Wider communication).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Boko [bqc], Mokole [mkl].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Muslim, Christian, traditional religion.

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Burkina Faso

Language NameHausa

User Population

3,000 in Burkina Faso (2021 Joshua Project).

Location

Scattered. Est region: Gourma and Tapoa provinces.

Alternate Names

Haoussa

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Muslim.

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Cameroon

Language NameHausa

User Population

312,500 in Cameroon, all users. L1 users: 23,500 in Cameroon (1982 SIL). L2 users: 289,000 (2018 J. Leclerc).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Haoussa, Hawsa

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Also use Nchane [ncr]. Used as L2 by Adamawa Fulfulde [fub], Chung [cnq], Gavar [gou], Hdi [xed], Mafa [maf], Mambai [mcs], Naami [bzv], Nchane [ncr], Nizaa [sgi], Noone [nhu], Shuwa Arabic [shu], Tigon Mbembe [nza], Yerwa Kanuri [knc].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Muslim.

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Central African Republic

Language NameHausa

User Population

34,000 in Central African Republic (2021 Joshua Project).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Chad

Language NameHausa

User Population

398,000 in Chad, all users. L1 users: 100,000 in Chad (Gunnemark and Kenrick 1985). L2 users: 298,000 (2019 Joshua Project).

Location

Widespread in the south.

Language Status

3 (Wider communication). Widespread use as L2 in northern Chad.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Congo

Language NameHausa

User Population

10,700 in Congo (2018).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Côte d’Ivoire

Language NameHausa

User Population

395,000 in Côte d’Ivoire (Leclerc 2017c). Ethnic population: 1,000,000.

Location

Abidjan.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Gabon

Language NameHausa

User Population

16,000 in Gabon (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Gabon

Ghana

Language NameHausa

User Population

565,000 in Ghana, all users. L1 users: 275,000 in Ghana (2017 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 290,000 (2019 Joshua Project).

Location

Widespread.

Dialects

None known. There is evidence to suggest Ghanaian Hausa is a distinct variety of Hausa.

Language Status

3 (Wider communication). Used as L2 in the north.

Language Use

Used as L2 by Konkomba [xon], Kusaal [kus], Maasina Fulfulde [ffm], Paasaal [sig], Tumulung Sisaala [sil].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Muslim.

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Niger

Language NameHausa

User Population

17,700,000 in Niger, all users. L1 users: 11,900,000 in Niger (2019). L2 users: 5,800,000 (2019).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Haoussa, Hausawa, Haussa

Dialects

Dawra, Katsina, Damagaram, Gobirawa, Aderawa, Arewa, Kurfey, Gaya.

Language Status

3 (Wider communication). Recognized language (2001, Language Law No. 2001-037), mainly used in education. The main trade language of Niger.

Language Use

Used as L2 by Central-Eastern Niger Fulfulde [fuq], Dazaga [dzg], Tagdal [tda], Tasawaq [twq], Tayart Tamajeq [thz], Tumari Kanuri [krt].

Language Development

Taught in some primary schools in early grades only in Hausa-speaking areas.

Other Comments

Muslim.

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Sudan

Language NameHausa

User Population

740,000 in Sudan, all users. L1 users: 80,000 in Sudan (2007). L2 users: 660,000 (2017).

Location

Blue Nile and Khartoum states; scattered in Khartoum, along Blue Nile river; Kordofan.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Adamawa Fulfulde [fub].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Togo

Language NameHausa

User Population

21,900 in Togo (2019).

Location

Widespread, especially north; mostly larger towns; Lome.

Alternate Names

Haoussa, Haussa

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Some use in markets. Used as L2 by Anufo [cko].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 1%–30%.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Muslim.

View other languages of Togo

Hausa

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A language of Nigeria

Also spoken in:

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