Guinea-Bissau

Summary

Official Name
Population: 1,968,000
General Remarks: Bolama region includes the Bijagos archipelago; larger islands: Orango, Formosa, Roxa and Caravela
Principal Languages: Portuguese
Literacy Rate: 60% (2015 World Factbook)
International Conventions: ACHPR (1987), CSICH (2012), ICCPR (1966), UNCRPD (2006)
General References: Bendor-Samuel and Hartell 1989, Holm 1989, O’Toole 1978, Vanderaa 1991
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Guinea-Bissau is 25. All are living languages. Of these, 18 are indigenous and 7 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 2 are institutional, 5 are developing, 3 are vigorous, and 15 are in trouble. Also listed are 3 unestablished languages.

Languages

Bainouk-Gunyuño bab: Cacheu region: São Domingos sector. Users: 6,000 (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 10,800 (2022 SIL). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Bagnoun, Bainounk-Gujaher, Bainuk, Banhum, Banhun, Banyuk, Banyum, Banyun, Banyung, Elomay, Elunay, Guñuun, Gújááhár Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Banyun
Balanta ble: Widespread in central west. Users: 338,000 (2022 SIL), decreasing. Ethnic population: 398,000 (2022 SIL). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Alante, Balanda, Balant, Balanta-Kentohe, Balante, Ballante, Belante, Brassa, Bulanda, Frase Autonym: Fraase Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Balant-Ganja
Bassari bsc: Gabu region: Piche sector. Users: 500 in Guinea-Bissau (2018). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Ayan, Basari, Biyan, Onian, Oniyan, Onëyan, Wo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda
Biafada bif: Quinara region: mouth of Rio Grande de Buba inland area; Tombali region: Bedanda and north Catio sectors, into west Quebo sector. Users: 53,000 (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 69,000 (2022 SIL). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Beafada, Bedfola, Biafar, Bidjola, Bidyola, Dfola, Fada Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda
Bijagó bjg: Bolama region: Bolama sector nearest mainland, Bijago archipelago in Bubaque sector, Bubaque, Orango, and Roxa islands; Caravela sector northwest, Carache, Caravela, and Uno islands; other associated islands. Roxa island (Anhaqui dialect), Bubaque island (Kagbaaga dialect), Orango and Uno islands (Kajoko dialect), Caravela and Carache islands (Kamona dialect). Users: 36,000 (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 36,000 (2022 SIL). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Bidjago, Bidyago, Bidyogo, Bijogo, Bijougot, Bijuga, Budjago, Bugago Autonym: Kajoukou Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Bijago
Djakanka jad: Gabu: centered in neighborhoods in and around the town of Gabu, and other nearby towns. Urban dwellers. Users: 10,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL), all users. Ethnic population: 10,000 (2022 Joshua Project). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding
English eng: Users: 42,200 in Guinea-Bissau (2015 UNSD), L2 users. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
French fra: Users: 74,900 in Guinea-Bissau, all users. L1 users: 1,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2018). L2 users: 73,900 (2015 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
Fula fuc: Bafata region: especially south of Geba river; Gabu region: central and north; Tombali region: between Aldeia Formosa and Carubel river. Users: 660,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 660,000 (2022 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Fulacunda, Fulado, Fulani, Fulfulde-Pulaar, Peul, Peulh, Pulaar Fulfulde Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Fula, Western
Futa Fula fuf: Gabu region: south Bafata and north Tombali regions. Users: 1,200 in Guinea-Bissau (2000). Status: 5 (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Fouta Dyalon, Fulbe, Fullo Fuuta, Futa Jallon, Fuuta Jalon, Pular Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Fula, West Central
Guinea-Bissau Creole pov: Widespread, with predominance in the capital. Users: 1,800,000 in Guinea-Bissau, all users. L1 users: 272,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL), increasing. Transition from L2 to L1 use is limited to the capital city of Bissau (2019 S. Graham). L2 users: 1,528,000 (2022 SIL). Total users in all countries: 1,888,500 (as L1: 340,500; as L2: 1,548,000). Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity. Primary LWC in Guinea-Bissau. Developed as a trade language with the Portuguese during the colonial period. Has its origins in the Upper Guinea Creole that developed on Santiago island in Cabo Verde, spreading to the mainland and then to the Casamance region of Senegal and to all of Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau Creole is now an L2 that is actively supported by all ethnic groups in the country and used in most domains of public life outside of education. Has become a marker of national identity and solidarity. Alternate Names: Crioulo, Crioulo de Guinea-Bissau, Guinea-Bissau Kriyol, Guineense, Kriol, Kriulo, Portuguese Creole, Upper Guinea Crioulo Autonym: Kiriol Classification: Creole, Portuguese based
Jola Bayote bda: Cacheu region: São Domingos area, Arrame village, on Senegal border. Users: 9,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 10,000 (2022 SIL). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Baiot, Bayot, Bayote, Bayotte, Kugere-Kuxinge Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Bayot
Jola-Felupe eja: Cacheu region: São Domingos sector, east of Cape Roxo. Users: 17,200 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 20,000 (2022 SIL). Total users in all countries: 19,430. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Ediamat, Ejamat, Feloup, Felup, Felupe, Floup, Flup, Fulup Autonym: Djola-Felupe Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Jola Central, Her-Ejamat
Kabuverdianu kea: Users: 2,300 in Guinea-Bissau (2015 Instituto de Apoio ao Emigrante). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Creole, Portuguese based
Kanjad pbp: Gabu region: northeast corner. Users: 5,570 in Guinea-Bissau (2018). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Badian, Badjara, Badyara, Badyaranké, Bigola, Gola, Pajade, Pajadinca, Pajadinka Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Tenda
Kasanga ccj: Cacheu region: Felupe border area, sparsely populated. Users: 80 (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 800 (2022 Joshua Project). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Cassanga, Guatcha, Guhaaca, Haal, I-Hadja, Kassanga Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Nun
Kobiana kcj: Cacheu region: near Banyun and Cacheu. Users: 500 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 800 (2022 SIL). Total users in all countries: 1,000. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Buy, Cobiana, Gubhoi, Guboy, Uboi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Eastern Senegal-Guinea, Nun
Mandinka mnk: Bafata region: Contuboel, north Gamamundo, and Sonaca sectors; Cacheu region: Bigene, Cacheu, and São Domingos sectors; Gabu region: Pirada and Sonaco sectors; Oio region: Farim and north Mansaba sectors. Users: 226,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 279,000 (2022 SIL). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Mandi’nka kango, Mandinca, Manding, Mandinga, Mandingo, Mandingue, Mandinque Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Manding-Jogo, Manding-Vai, Manding-Mokole, Manding, Manding-West
Mandjak mfv: Bafata region: Gamamundo sector; Cacheu region; Oio region: north; also present in the east and south of the country. Users: 122,400 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 147,000 (2022 SIL). Total users in all countries: 306,100. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Kanyop, Mandjako-bé, Mandjaque, Mandyak, Manjaca, Manjack, Manjaco, Manjanku, Manjiak, Mendyako, Ndiagó, Ndyak Autonym: Manjáku Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Manjaku-Papel
Mankanya knf: Biombo region; Bolama region: Bolama island; Cacheu region: northwest of Bissau; Oio region; Quinara region: Rio Grande de Buba mouth; Tombali region: Cacine sector. Users: 42,300 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 61,400 (2022 SIL). Total users in all countries: 85,360. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Bola, Bramis, Mancang, Mancanha, Mankaañ, Mankanha Autonym: Uhula Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Manjaku-Papel
Mansoanka msw: Oio region: Mansoa sector, Mantefa area. Users: 18,600 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 27,000 (2022 SIL). Total users in all countries: 20,730. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Kunant, Kunante, Mansoanca, Mansonka, Maswanka, Sua Autonym: Suwa Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Southern, Sua
Nalu naj: Tombali region: Cacine river estuary near Atlantic coast. Users: 9,200 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 16,700 (2022 SIL). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Babelké, Nalou, Ntché Blék Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Mbulungish-Nalu
Papel pbo: Biombo region: Quinhamel area west of Bissau, including Prabis, Safim, and Ondame. Users: 148,500 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 188,000 (2022 SIL). Total users in all countries: 156,000. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Moium, Oium, Papei, Pepel Autonym: Oyum Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Manjaku-Papel
Portuguese por: Bissau region. Users: 396,450 in Guinea-Bissau, all users. L1 users: 5,450 in Guinea-Bissau (2018). L2 users: 391,000 (2015 UNSD). Status: 1 (National). De facto national language. Alternate Names: Português Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician
Soninke snk: Gabu region: Pirada and Sonaco sectors; scattered in other major towns and cities. Bafatá region: Gamamudo town. Users: 11,900 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 11,900 (2022 SIL). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Maraka, Marka, Sarahulanxanne, Sarakole, Sarakolle, Sarakule, Sarakulle, Serahule, Soninkanxanne Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Northwestern, Soninke-Bobo, Soninke-Boso, Soninke
Spanish spa: Users: 6,950 in Guinea-Bissau (2015 UNSD), L2 users. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
Susu sus: Gabu region: Pitche area; Tombali region: Cacine area. Users: 4,680 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 6,600 (2022 SIL). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Sosso, Sussu Classification: Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Central, Susu-Yalunka
Wolof wol: Bissau region. Users: 10,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 10,000 (2022 Joshua Project). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Senegambian, Fula-Wolof, Wolof

Languages by Status

1 (National)

Portuguese

[por] 1 (National). De facto national language. 396,450 in Guinea-Bissau, all users. L1 users: 5,450 in Guinea-Bissau (2018). L2 users: 391,000 (2015 UNSD).

3 (Wider communication)

Guinea-Bissau Creole

[pov] 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity. Primary LWC in Guinea-Bissau. Developed as a trade language with the Portuguese during the colonial period. Has its origins in the Upper Guinea Creole that developed on Santiago island in Cabo Verde, spreading to the mainland and then to the Casamance region of Senegal and to all of Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau Creole is now an L2 that is actively supported by all ethnic groups in the country and used in most domains of public life outside of education. Has become a marker of national identity and solidarity. 1,800,000 in Guinea-Bissau, all users. L1 users: 272,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL), increasing. Transition from L2 to L1 use is limited to the capital city of Bissau (2019 S. Graham). L2 users: 1,528,000 (2022 SIL). Total users in all countries: 1,888,500 (as L1: 340,500; as L2: 1,548,000).

5 (Dispersed)

English

[eng] 5* (Dispersed). 42,200 in Guinea-Bissau (2015 UNSD), L2 users.

Futa Fula

[fuf] 5 (Dispersed). 1,200 in Guinea-Bissau (2000).

Spanish

[spa] 5* (Dispersed). 6,950 in Guinea-Bissau (2015 UNSD), L2 users.

5 (Developing)

Bijagó

[bjg] 5 (Developing). 36,000 (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 36,000 (2022 SIL).

Soninke

[snk] 5 (Developing). 11,900 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 11,900 (2022 SIL).

6a (Vigorous)

Djakanka

[jad] 6a (Vigorous). 10,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL), all users. Ethnic population: 10,000 (2022 Joshua Project).

Fula

[fuc] 6a (Vigorous). 660,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 660,000 (2022 SIL).

Kanjad

[pbp] 6a (Vigorous). 5,570 in Guinea-Bissau (2018).

6b (Threatened)

Bainouk-Gunyuño

[bab] 6b (Threatened). 6,000 (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 10,800 (2022 SIL).

Balanta

[ble] 6b (Threatened). 338,000 (2022 SIL), decreasing. Ethnic population: 398,000 (2022 SIL).

Bassari

[bsc] 6b* (Threatened). 500 in Guinea-Bissau (2018).

Biafada

[bif] 6b (Threatened). 53,000 (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 69,000 (2022 SIL).

Jola Bayote

[bda] 6b (Threatened). 9,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 10,000 (2022 SIL).

Jola-Felupe

[eja] 6b (Threatened). 17,200 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 20,000 (2022 SIL). Total users in all countries: 19,430.

Kasanga

[ccj] 6b (Threatened). 80 (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 800 (2022 Joshua Project).

Kobiana

[kcj] 6b (Threatened). 500 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 800 (2022 SIL). Total users in all countries: 1,000.

Mandinka

[mnk] 6b (Threatened). 226,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 279,000 (2022 SIL).

Mandjak

[mfv] 6b (Threatened). 122,400 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 147,000 (2022 SIL). Total users in all countries: 306,100.

Mankanya

[knf] 6b (Threatened). 42,300 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 61,400 (2022 SIL). Total users in all countries: 85,360.

Mansoanka

[msw] 6b (Threatened). 18,600 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 27,000 (2022 SIL). Total users in all countries: 20,730.

Nalu

[naj] 6b (Threatened). 9,200 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 16,700 (2022 SIL).

Papel

[pbo] 6b (Threatened). 148,500 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 188,000 (2022 SIL). Total users in all countries: 156,000.

Susu

[sus] 6b (Threatened). 4,680 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 6,600 (2022 SIL).

Unestablished

French

[fra] Unestablished. 74,900 in Guinea-Bissau, all users. L1 users: 1,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2018). L2 users: 73,900 (2015 UNSD).

Kabuverdianu

[kea] Unestablished. 2,300 in Guinea-Bissau (2015 Instituto de Apoio ao Emigrante).

Wolof

[wol] Unestablished. 10,000 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 10,000 (2022 Joshua Project).

Maps

Guinea and Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Guinea-Bissau with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Guinea-Bissau is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of vitality. The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level.
The vitality levels and the color coding of the bars match the scheme used in the guide on How many languages are endangered? In this scheme, the levels and colors are as follows:
- Dark green = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Light green = Stable (EGIDS 5-6a) — The language is not being sustained by formal institutions, but It is still the norm in the home and community that all children learn and use the language.
- Red = Endangered (EGIDS 6b-9) — It is no longer the norm that children learn and use this language.
These three summary levels have been derived by grouping levels in the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS), which is the more fine-grained scale that Ethnologue uses to assess the status of every language in terms of development versus endangerment; see the Language Status page for a description of the levels of that scale. See also the pages on Development and Endangerment for more discussion.
Language Status Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Guinea-Bissau with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Guinea-Bissau is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of development or endangerment as measured on the EGIDS scale. (See the pages on Development and Endangerment for a fuller explanation.) The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level. Consult the Status listings for Guinea-Bissau in order to see the specific languages for each level.
The color coding of the bars matches the color scheme used in the summary profile graphs on the navigation maps for the site. In this scheme, the EGIDS levels are grouped as follows:
- Purple = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Blue = Developing (EGIDS 5) — The language is in vigorous use, with literature in a standardized form being used by some though this is not yet widespread or sustainable.
- Green = Vigorous (EGIDS 6a) — The language is unstandardized and in vigorous use among all generations.
- Yellow = In trouble (EGIDS 6b-7) — Intergenerational transmission is in the process of being broken, but the child-bearing generation can still use the language so it is possible that revitalization efforts could restore transmission of the language in the home.
- Red = Dying (EGIDS 8a-9) — The only fluent users (if any) are older than child-bearing age, so it is too late to restore natural intergenerational transmission through the home; a mechanism outside the home would need to be developed.
- Black = Extinct (EGIDS 10) — The language has fallen completely out of use and no one retains a sense of ethnic identity associated with the language.

Resources

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Digest of the languages of Guinea-Bissau ($149.95, 29 page PDF)

Guinea-Bissau

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Guinea and Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action