Mende

A language of Sierra Leone

Boumpe, Hulo, “Kossa” (pej.), “Kosso” (pej.)

Mɛnde, Mɛnde yia

2,470,000 in Sierra Leone (2019). Total users in all countries: 2,511,600.

Eastern province: Kailahun, Kenema, and Pujehun districts; Northern province: Bombali and Moyamba districts’ border areas; along the coast and south and east; Southern province: most of interior.

Language Maps

Liberia

Sierra Leone

Language Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial working language in Eastern and Northern provinces; also in Southern province interior (2004, Local Government Act, Article 16(1)).

Classification

Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Southwestern, Mende-Loma, Mende-Bandi, Mende-Loko

Dialects

Kpa, Ko, Wanjama (Waanjama), Sewawa. Lexical similarity: 92%–98% among dialects.

Typology

SOV; postpositions; definite article suffix; 24 consonant and 7 vowel phonemes; tonal (2 tones: high, low); word-initial consonant mutation.

Language Use

Also use Krio [kri]. Used as L2 by Bom-Kim [bmf], Gola [gol], Northern Kissi [kqs], Vai [vai].

Language Development

Taught in primary schools through grade 3. Taught as subject in secondary schools in grades 7–9. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1959.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Mende