Dza

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A language of Nigeria

ISO 639-3
jen
Alternate Names
Ja, Janjo, Jen, Jenjo, Èédzá
Autonym
nnwa’ Dzâ
User Population

100,000 (2014 NBTT).

Location

Adamawa state: Lamurde and Numan LGAs; Gombe state: Balanga LGA; Taraba state: Ardokola, Gassol, Ibi, Jalingo, Karim Lamido, and Lau LGAs; main town is Dza by Benue river.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Adamawa-Ubangi, Adamawa, Waja-Jen, Jen
Language Use

Home, market, work, community. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Most also use Hausa [hau]. Most also use Nigerian Pidgin [pcm]. Used as L2 by Shoo-Minda-Nye [bcv].

Language Development

Over 100 people have been taught to read and write Jenjo.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Dza
Writing

Latin script [Latn], in development.

Other Comments

There are four main groups within the language that settled in different locations but have no differences in their speech, they are: Ye (Saredou, Kaigama), Dzaka (Kachala), Ngwabang (Saretunde), and E ’ Zhi (Jaule). Christian, Muslim.