Tikar

Print

Primary tabs

A language of Cameroon

ISO 639-3
tik
Alternate Names
Tikali, Tikar-East, Tikari, Tingkala
Autonym
lɛ̀ʼ Tikarì
User Population

110,000 (2005 SIL). Based on the actual population of the subdivisions where the Tikar people are present, as of the official 2005 census (2014 C. Hamm).

Location

Adamawa region: Mayo-Banyo division, Bankim subdivision; Centre region: Mbam-and-Kim division, Ngambe-Tikar subdivision, scattered over northwest Yoko and northeast of Foumban; North West region: Donga-Mantung division, small border area; West region: Noun division, Magba subdivision.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Tikar
Dialects

Twumwu (Tikar de Bankim, Tumu, Twùmwù), Tige (Tikar de Ngambe), Nditam, Kong, Mankim, Gambai, Bandobo (Ndob, Ndome). Bandobo may be a separate language. The Bankim call their dialect Twumwu, the Ngambe call theirs Tige.

Language Use

Used by all. Most also use French [fra], as language of public education for those in francophone regions. Some also use Bamun [bax]. Some also use English [eng], as language of public education for those in North West region. A few also use Kwanja [knp]. Used as L2 by Mbo’ [mtk].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. Dictionary. NT: 1989.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Tikar
Writing

Latin script [Latn].