Yamba

Primary tabs

A language of Cameroon

ISO 639-3

yam

Alternate Names

Bebaroe, Boenga Ko, Kakayamba, Mbem, Mbubem, Muzok, Swe’nga, “Kaka” (pej.)

Autonym

Yamba

User Population

80,000 in Cameroon (2000), increasing, including those living outside the area.

Location

North West region: Donga-Mantung division, Central Nwa subdivision; plains east of Nwa, Nkongsamba, Bafia. Seasonal immigrants in Mambila plateau, Nigeria.

Language Maps

5 (Developing).

Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Wide Grassfields, Narrow Grassfields, Mbam-Nkam, Nkambe

Dialects

Gom, Mfe, Nkot, Ntong, Kwak, Mbem, Ngung, Bom, Sih, Nwa, Ntim, Gamfe, Rom, Gwembe, Saam, Fam, Yang.

Language Use

All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Cameroon Pidgin [wes]. Many also use English [eng], as language of public education. A few also use French [fra]. A few also use Limbum [lmp]. Used as L2 by Limbum [lmp].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 10%. Literature. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Texts. NT: 1992–2011.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Yamba

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Mbem is reference dialect. Christian, traditional religion.