Language NameManya
User Population25,000 in Guinea (1997 G. Pruett). Ethnic population: 77,000 (Leclerc 2014a).
LocationFaranah and Nzérékoré regions: west Beyla and southeast Kissidougou prefectures; Macenta-Centre to Liberia border; Kankan region: Keroane prefecture, Diarradou.
Alternate NamesMandingo, Maninya, Maninyakan, Maniya, Manya Kan, “Toma Maninya” (pej.), “Tuu Kɔlɔ Maninya” (pej.)
DialectsDuamaka, Gbuseka, Kuaduka, Kuegbalamaka, Kɔnɔkoloka. Kɔnɔkoloka seems to be a transitional dialect which shares many phonological features with Konyaka Maninka [mku] (2017 J. M. Sheppard). Lexical similarity: 95% with Konyanka Maninka [mku], over 90% with Eastern Maninkakan [emk]. Dialects have over 98% shared vocabulary (2017 J. M. Sheppard).
Language UsePositive attitudes. Many also use Eastern Maninkakan [emk]. Many also use Toma [tod]. Also use French [fra]. Used as L2 by Toma [tod].
