mfv ISO 639
Manjáku Autonyms
Mandjak
Visualizations
A language of Guinea-Bissau
- ISO 639
- mfv
- Alternate Names
- Kanyop, Mandjako-bé, Mandjaque, Mandyak, Manjaca, Manjack, Manjaco, Manjanku, Manjiak, Mendyako, Ndiagó, Ndyak
- Autonym
- Manjáku
- Population
- 122,400 in Guinea-Bissau (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: 147,000 (2022 SIL). Total users in all countries: 306,100.
- Location
- Bafata region: Gamamundo sector; Cacheu region; Oio region: north; also present in the east and south of the country.
- Language Maps
- Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and The Gambia
- Language Status
- 6b (Threatened).
- Classification
- Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Manjaku-Papel
- Dialects
- Bok (Sarar, Teixeira Pinto, Tsaam, Ubok), Likes-Utsia (Baraa, Kalkus, Ulekes), Cur (Churo, Ucur), Lund (Ulund), Yu (Pecixe, Pulhilh, Siis, Uyu), Unuab, Uteer, Uyool, Uyanga, Undin, Uroongaan, Ubuey, Uguejan, Utimats. Some dialects may be separate languages. Half speak the central dialect Bok.
- Typology
- Nominal prefixes, 2 plural forms; complex auxiliary verbs and aspect particles; verb suffixes; relative clauses functioning as adjectives, with nominal markers at beginning and end; pitch distinction on verbal and nominal forms; emphatic markers.
- Language Use
- Important politically. Thousands emigrated to France. Home, friends, religion, work. Some young people, all adults. Growing shift towards Guinea-Bissau Creole [pov], particularly among children of mixed marriages, and those from families who moved to the capital of Bissau for education and economic opportunity (2022 A. Yndibe). Positive attitudes. Most also use Guinea-Bissau Creole [pov], as the language of interethnic unity, communication, and commerce. Many also use Mandinka [mnk]. Many also use Portuguese [por], as the language of education and communication with foreigners. Some also use Balanta [ble]. Some also use Pulaar [fuc]. Used as L2 by Kobiana [kcj], Mankanya [knf].
- Language Development
- Literacy rate in L1: 10%. Literacy rate in L2: 70%. Radio. Videos. Grammar. NT: 2020.
- Writing
- Latin script [Latn].
- Other Comments
- Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Mandjak
Also Spoken in
- Location
- West Coast division: south of Gambia river.
- Dialects
- Bok (Babok), Sarar, Teixeira Pinto, Tsaamo, Likes-Utsia (Baraa, Kalkus), Cur (Churo), Lund, Yu (Pecixe), Manjaaku.
- Language Status
- 6a (Vigorous)
- Language Use
- Used by all. Most also use Gambian Wolof [wof], as the language of commerce and media (Biel 2014). Many also use English [eng], as the language of education and government (Biel 2014). Also use Mandinka [mnk], as the secondary LWC for commerce and media (Biel 2014).
- Other Comments
- Traditional religion, Christian. View other languages of Gambia
Language Name
Mandjak
User Population
37,700 in Gambia (2018).
- Location
- Sédhiou region: Soukoutoto southeast to Guinea border, Casamance river, both sides; Ziguinchor region: from capitol southeast to Guinea border.
- Dialects
- Bok (Kabok, Sara, Teixeira Pinto, Tsaam, Ubok), Likes-Utsia (Baraa, Kalkus), Cur (Churo), Lund (Ulund), Yu (Pecixe).
- Language Status
- 5 (Developing)
- Language Use
- Those who have moved to larger urban areas no longer pass the language to their children (2013 SIL). Used by all. Many also use Wolof [wol], as the language of commerce and interethnic communication (Sarr and Thiaw 2012). Some also use French [fra], as the language of education and government (Diouf et al 2017). Used as L2 by Balanta-Ganja [bjt], Kobiana [kcj], Mankanya [knf].
- Other Comments
- Traditional religion, Christian. View other languages of Senegal
Language Name
Mandjak
User Population
146,000 in Senegal (2017).
