Madagascar

Summary

Official Name: Republic of Madagascar
Population: 28,472,000
Principal Languages: French, Merina Malagasy
Literacy Rate: 75% (2018 UNESCO)
International Conventions: ACHPR (1987), CDE (1960), CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), ICCPR (1966), UNCRPD (2006), UNDRIP (2007)
General References: Bouwer 2010; Campbell and King 2011
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Madagascar is 14. All are living languages. Of these, 12 are indigenous and 2 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 3 are institutional, 1 is developing, and 10 are vigorous. Also listed are 12 unestablished languages and 1 macrolanguage.

Languages

Arabic, Ta’izzi-Adeni Spoken acq: Users: 56,000 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Chinese, Mandarin cmn: Users: 70,000 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese
Comorian, Maore swb: Users: 3,000 in Madagascar (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.44)
Comorian, Mwali wlc: Users: 1,000 in Madagascar (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.44)
Comorian, Ndzwani wni: Users: 8,000 in Madagascar (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.44)
Comorian, Ngazidja zdj: Users: 8,000 in Madagascar (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.44)
English eng: Scattered. Status: 3 (Wider communication). Alternate Names: Anglisy Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
French fra: Users: 7,730,000 in Madagascar, all users. L1 users: 30,000 in Madagascar (2020 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 7,700,000 (Marcoux et al 2022). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Constitution, Article 6). Alternate Names: Frantsay, Français Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
Gujarati guj: Users: 89,000 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Gujarati
Korean kor: Users: 16,000 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Koreanic
Malagasy mlg: Users: Population total all languages (L1 only): 18,140,100. Status:
Malagasy Sign Language mzc: Scattered. Users: 135,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 80,000–160,000, assuming 0.3%–0.6% of total population. Other estimates: 110,000 (2014 IMB); 170,000, assuming 1% (2014 Rajaonary Theodoric, World Association of Sign Language Interpreters). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Madagascar Sign Language Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Malagasy, Antankarana xmv: Antsiranana province: Diana and Sava regions; Mahajanga province: Sofia region, a small area. Users: 156,000 (2011 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Antakarana Malagasy, Antekarana, Antekarana Malagasy, Tankarana, Tankarana Malagasy Autonym: Antakarana Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Barito, East, Malagasy
Malagasy, Bara bhr: Antananarivo province: Vakinankaratra region; Fianarantsoa province: Amoron’i Mania, Ihorombe, and Haute Matsiatra regions; Toliara province. Users: 724,000 (2011 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Autonym: Bara Malagasy Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Barito, East, Malagasy
Malagasy, Masikoro msh: Toliara province: Atsimo-Andrefana region, Moromba south to Tollara; Menabe region, coast near Mangoky river, inland near Mozambique channel. Users: 550,000 (2011 SIL). Ethnic population: A quarter are Masikoro; the rest are Masikoro speakers from other ethnic groups. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Autonym: Masikoro Malagasy Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Barito, East, Malagasy
Malagasy, Merina plt: Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa provinces; Mahajanga province: Betsiboka region. Users: 7,520,000 in Madagascar (2011 SIL). Total users in all countries: 7,546,100. Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Provisional Constitution, Article 6), use limited in higher education. Alternate Names: Ambaniandro, Borizano, Borizany, Fiteny Malagasy, Hova, Malagasy fiteny, Malgache, Official Malagasy, Plateau Malagasy, Standard Malagasy, Teny ôfisialy Autonym: Malagasy, Malagasy ôfisialy Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Barito, East, Malagasy
Malagasy, Northern Betsimisaraka bmm: Antananarivo province: areas in Analamanga and Vakinankaratra regions; Antsiranana province: Sava region, south of Bemariva river; Mahajanga province: Sofia region, east and southeast; Toamasina province. East coast from Mahanoro north. Users: 1,270,000 (2011 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Antavaratra Autonym: Betsimisaraka Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Barito, East, Malagasy
Malagasy, Sakalava skg: Antananarivo province: western Bongolava and Vakinankaratra regions; Antsiranana province: Diana region; Fianarantsoa province: western Amoron’i Mania region; Mahajanga province; Toliara province: Atsimo-Andrefana and Menabe (coastline only) regions. Users: 1,210,000 (2014 SIL). Based on extrapolations of latest census figures to report on Malagasy people groups (2014 L. Bouwer). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Barito, East, Malagasy
Malagasy, Southern Betsimisaraka bzc: Antananarivo province: Vakinankaratra region; Fianarantsoa province: Amoron’i Mania and Atsimo-Atsinanana regions; Vatovavy-Fitovinany region, Nosy Varika, Manakara Atsimo, and Mananjary districts; Toamasina province: Alaotra-Mangoro region, south border; Atsinanana region, Mahanoro district. Users: 2,000,000 (2011 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Antatsimo, Betsimisaraka Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Barito, East, Malagasy
Malagasy, Tandroy-Mahafaly tdx: Toliara province: Androy region, Ambovombe, Bekily, Beloha, and Tsihombe districts; Anosy and Atsimo-Andrefana regions. Users: 1,300,000 (2011 SIL). Tandroy 865,000; Mahafaly 330,000; Karimbola 103,000. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Mahafaly, Ntandroy, Tandroy Autonym: Antandroy Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Barito, East, Malagasy
Malagasy, Tanosy txy: Fianarantsoa province: Atsimo-Atsinanana region, Mahafaly area and northeast; Toliara province: Androy, Anosy, and Atsimo-Andrefana regions, southeast coast. Users: 639,000 (2011 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Barito, East, Malagasy
Malagasy, Tesaka tkg: Fianarantsoa province: Atsimo-Atsinanana and Ihorombe regions; Toliara province: Anosy region, migrating, particularly to western deltas. Users: 1,130,000 (2010 T. Bergman). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Antaisaka, Antesaka, Atesaka Autonym: Tesaka Malagasy Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Barito, East, Malagasy
Malagasy, Tsimihety xmw: Antsiranana province; Fianarantsoa province: Analanjirofo and Alaotra-Mangoro regions; Mahajanga province: Sofia region. Users: 1,615,000 (2011 SIL). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Tsimihety Autonym: Tsimihety Malagasy Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Barito, East, Malagasy
Malay zlm: Users: 33,000 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Malayo-Chamic, Malayic, Malay
Morisyen mfe: Users: 3,600 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Creole, French based
Réunion French Creole rcf: Users: 111,000 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Creole, French based
Swahili swh: Users: 5,600 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.42)

Languages by Status

1 (National)

French

[fra] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Constitution, Article 6). 7,730,000 in Madagascar, all users. L1 users: 30,000 in Madagascar (2020 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 7,700,000 (Marcoux et al 2022).

Malagasy, Merina

[plt] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Provisional Constitution, Article 6), use limited in higher education. 7,520,000 in Madagascar (2011 SIL). Total users in all countries: 7,546,100.

3 (Wider communication)

English

[eng] 3 (Wider communication).

5 (Developing)

Malagasy Sign Language

[mzc] 5 (Developing). 135,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 80,000–160,000, assuming 0.3%–0.6% of total population. Other estimates: 110,000 (2014 IMB); 170,000, assuming 1% (2014 Rajaonary Theodoric, World Association of Sign Language Interpreters).

6a (Vigorous)

Malagasy, Antankarana

[xmv] 6a (Vigorous). 156,000 (2011 SIL).

Malagasy, Bara

[bhr] 6a (Vigorous). 724,000 (2011 SIL).

Malagasy, Masikoro

[msh] 6a (Vigorous). 550,000 (2011 SIL). Ethnic population: A quarter are Masikoro; the rest are Masikoro speakers from other ethnic groups.

Malagasy, Northern Betsimisaraka

[bmm] 6a (Vigorous). 1,270,000 (2011 SIL).

Malagasy, Sakalava

[skg] 6a (Vigorous). 1,210,000 (2014 SIL). Based on extrapolations of latest census figures to report on Malagasy people groups (2014 L. Bouwer).

Malagasy, Southern Betsimisaraka

[bzc] 6a (Vigorous). 2,000,000 (2011 SIL).

Malagasy, Tandroy-Mahafaly

[tdx] 6a (Vigorous). 1,300,000 (2011 SIL). Tandroy 865,000; Mahafaly 330,000; Karimbola 103,000.

Malagasy, Tanosy

[txy] 6a (Vigorous). 639,000 (2011 SIL).

Malagasy, Tesaka

[tkg] 6a (Vigorous). 1,130,000 (2010 T. Bergman).

Malagasy, Tsimihety

[xmw] 6a (Vigorous). 1,615,000 (2011 SIL).

Unestablished

Arabic, Ta’izzi-Adeni Spoken

[acq] Unestablished. 56,000 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Chinese, Mandarin

[cmn] Unestablished. 70,000 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Comorian, Maore

[swb] Unestablished. 3,000 in Madagascar (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001).

Comorian, Mwali

[wlc] Unestablished. 1,000 in Madagascar (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001).

Comorian, Ndzwani

[wni] Unestablished. 8,000 in Madagascar (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001).

Comorian, Ngazidja

[zdj] Unestablished. 8,000 in Madagascar (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001).

Gujarati

[guj] Unestablished. 89,000 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Korean

[kor] Unestablished. 16,000 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Malay

[zlm] Unestablished. 33,000 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Morisyen

[mfe] Unestablished. 3,600 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Réunion French Creole

[rcf] Unestablished. 111,000 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Swahili

[swh] Unestablished. 5,600 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Maps

Comoros, Madagascar and Mayotte

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Madagascar with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Madagascar 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 Madagascar with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Madagascar 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 Madagascar 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 Madagascar ($149.95, 24 page PDF)

Madagascar

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Comoros, Madagascar and Mayotte

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action