Xaasongaxango

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A language of Mali

ISO 639-3
kao
Alternate Names
Kasonke, Kasso, Kasson, Kassonke, Khasonke, Khassonka, Khassonké, Malinke, Maninka, Xaasonga, Xasonga, Xasonke
Autonym
Xasongo
User Population

700,000 in Mali (2012 V. Vydrin). Total users in all countries: 714,230.

Location

Kayes region: Bafoulabé, Kayes, and Kéniéba circles.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing). Recognized language (1996, Law 96-049 of 14 December).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-West
Dialects

Xaasonga, Kéniéba Maninka. High intelligibility of Western Maninkakan [mlq], less of Bamanankan [bam], but for sociolinguistic reasons they are considered separate languages. 90% inherent intelligibility of Loma [loi]. Lexical similarity: 70% with Mandinka [mnk] of Gambia and Senegal.

Language Use

Used by all.

Language Development

Taught as subject in some primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 2008.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Xaasongaxango
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

French spelling is Khassonké. Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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