Wali

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A language of Ghana

ISO 639-3
wlx
Alternate Names
Ala, Ouala, Waali, Wala
Autonym
Waalii
User Population

84,800 (2013 UNSD).

Location

Upper West region: Wa town; Northern region: northwest.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North, Gur, Central, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest
Dialects

Fufula, Yeri Waali, Cherii, ’Bulengee, ’Dolimi. Distinct from Southern Birifor [biv] and Southern Dagaari [dga].

Language Use

Vigorous. The Chakali [cli] are bilingual in Wali. All domains. Used by all. Also use English [eng]. Used as L2 by Chakali [cli], Paasaal [sig], Vagla [vag].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. Dictionary. Texts. Bible: 2009.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Wali
Writing

Latin script [Latn], used since 1968.

Other Comments

The ’ before dialect names indicates a change in vowel quality. Traditional religion, Muslim.