Karon

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A language of Senegal

ISO 639-3
krx
Alternate Names
Jola-Karone, Kaloon, Karone, Karoninka, Kouloonaay, Kulonay
Autonym
Kuloonaay
User Population

11,600 in Senegal (2017), increasing. A few hundred elderly monolinguals. Total users in all countries: 22,400.

Location

Ziguinchor region: Bignona department, Kafountine area and north; Kalisseye inlet to Casamance river, to Gambian border, east to Dioloulou; Karon islands.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Karon-Mlomp
Dialects

None known. Lexical similarity: 64% with Mlomp [mlo], the most similar (Jola) language.

Language Use

Home, market. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Many also use French [fra], as the language of education and government (Diouf et al 2017). Many also use Wolof [wol], as the language of commerce and interethnic communication (Sarr and Thiaw 2012). Also use Jola-Fonyi [dyo]. Also use Mandinka [mnk].

Language Development

Literature. Grammar. Bible portions: 2016–2019.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Karon
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Strong desire to develop the language and preserve the culture.

Also spoken in:

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