Mandjak

A language of Guinea-Bissau

Kanyop, Mandjaque, Mandyak, Manjaca, Manjack, Manjaco, Manjaku, Manjanku, Manjiak, Mendyako, Ndyak

Autonym

Manjáku

User Population

224,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2018). Total users in all countries: 407,700.

Location

Bafata region: Gamamundo sector; Cacheu region; Oio region: north.

Language Maps

Guinea and Guinea-Bissau

Senegal and The Gambia

Language Status

5* (Developing).

Classification

Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Manjaku-Papel

Dialects

Bok (Babok, Sarar, Teixeira Pinto, Tsaam), Likes-Utsia (Baraa, Kalkus), Cur (Churo), Lund, Yu (Pecixe, Pulhilh, Siis). Some dialects may be separate languages.

Typology

Nominal prefixes, 2 plural forms; complex auxiliary verbs and aspect particles; verb suffixes; relative clauses functioning as adjectives, with nominal markers at beginning and end; pitch distinction on verbal and nominal forms; emphatic markers.

Language Use

Important politically. Thousands emigrated to France. Most also use Guinea-Bissau Creole [pov], as the language of interethnic unity, communication, and commerce. Some also use Portuguese [por], as the language of education and communication with foreigners. Used as L2 by Kobiana [kcj], Mankanya [knf].

Language Development

Videos. Grammar. NT: 2020.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Mandjak

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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Gambia

Language NameMandjak

User Population

37,700 in Gambia (2018).

Location

West Coast division: south of Gambia river.

Alternate Names

Kanyop, Mandjaque, Mandyak, Manjaca, Manjack, Manjaco, Manjacu, Manjago, Manjiak, Ndyak

Dialects

Bok (Babok), Sarar, Teixeira Pinto, Tsaamo, Likes-Utsia (Baraa, Kalkus), Cur (Churo), Lund, Yu (Pecixe), Manjaaku.

Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Language Use

Used by all. Most also use Gambian Wolof [wof], as the language of commerce and media (Biel 2014). Many also use English [eng], as the language of education and government (Biel 2014). Also use Mandinka [mnk], as the secondary LWC for commerce and media (Biel 2014).

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

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Senegal

Language NameMandjak

User Population

146,000 in Senegal (2017).

Location

Sédhiou region: Soukoutoto southeast to Guinea border, Casamance river, both sides; Ziguinchor region: from capitol southeast to Guinea border.

Alternate Names

Kanyop, Majak, Mandjaque, Mandyak, Manjaaku, Manjaca, Manjack, Manjaco, Manjak, Manjaku, Ndjak

Dialects

Bok (Kabok, Sara, Teixeira Pinto, Tsaam, Ubok), Likes-Utsia (Baraa, Kalkus), Cur (Churo), Lund (Ulund), Yu (Pecixe).

Language Status

5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Decree No. 983 of 21 October).

Language Use

Those who have moved to larger urban areas no longer pass the language to their children (2013 SIL). Used by all. Many also use Wolof [wol], as the language of commerce and interethnic communication (Sarr and Thiaw 2012). Some also use French [fra], as the language of education and government (Diouf et al 2017). Used as L2 by Balanta-Ganja [bjt], Kobiana [kcj], Mankanya [knf].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

View other languages of Senegal

Mandjak

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A language of Guinea-Bissau

Also spoken in:

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