Languages of Cameroon

Cameroon is home to at least 250 languages,[2][3] with some accounts reporting around 600.[4] These include 55 Afro-Asiatic languages, two Nilo-Saharan languages, four Ubangian languages, and 169 Niger–Congo languages. This latter group comprises one Senegambian language (Fulfulde), 28 Adamawa languages, and 142 Benue–Congo languages (130 of which are Bantu languages).[5] French and English are official languages, a heritage of Cameroon's colonial past as a colony of both France and the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1961. Eight out of the ten regions of Cameroon are primarily francophone, representing 83% of the country's population, and two are anglophone, representing 17%. The official percentage of French and English speakers by the Presidency of Cameroon is estimated to be 70% and 30% respectively. [6]

Languages of Cameroon
Sign in Rumpi Hills in French and English
OfficialFrench, English
National55 Afro-Asiatic languages, 2 Nilo-Saharan languages, and 173 Niger–Congo languages
SignedAmerican Sign Language (Francophone African Sign Language)
Keyboard layout
Lingua franca(s)French, English, Camfranglais, Cameroonian Pidgin English, Fulfulde, Chadian Arabic
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Knowledge of French in Cameroon in 2005, according to the OIF.[1] In 2005 18% of the population were "real" French speakers and another 26.8% were "partial French speakers". Both figures are estimations.
Map of Cameroon's official languages. Blue: French speaking regions and countries. Red: English speaking regions and countries. Grey: Trilingual Spanish, Portuguese and French speaking country (Equatorial Guinea).
Map of the region's indigenous languages.

The nation strives toward bilingualism, but in reality very few (11.6%) Cameroonians are literate in both French and English, and 28.8% are literate in neither.[7] The government has established several bilingual schools in an effort to teach both languages more evenly; however, in reality most of these schools separate the anglophone and francophone sections and therefore do not provide a true bilingual experience.[8] Cameroon is a member of both the Commonwealth of Nations and La Francophonie. German, the country's official language during the German colonial period until World War I, has nowadays almost entirely yielded to its two successors. However, as a foreign language subject German still enjoys huge popularity among pupils and students, with 300,000 people learning or speaking German in Cameroon in 2010. Today, Cameroon is one of the African countries with the highest number of people with knowledge of German.[9]

Most people in the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest provinces speak Cameroonian Pidgin English, also called Kamtok, as a lingua franca.[10] Fulfulde serves the same function in the north, and Ewondo in much of the Center, South, and East provinces.[11] Camfranglais (or Frananglais) is a relatively new pidgin communication form emerging in urban areas and other locations where Anglophone and Francophone Cameroonians meet and interact. Popular singers have used the hybrid language and added to its popularity.[12]

Education for the deaf in Cameroon uses American Sign Language, introduced by the deaf American missionary Andrew Foster.

There is little literature, radio, or television programming in native Cameroonian languages. Nevertheless, many Cameroonian languages have alphabets or other writing systems, many developed by the Christian missionary group SIL International, who have translated the Bible, Christian hymns, and other materials. The General Alphabet of Cameroon Languages was developed in the late 1970s as an orthographic system for all Cameroonian languages.

In the late 19th century, the Bamum script was developed by Sultan Ibrahim Njoya to write the Bamum (Shüpamom) language.[11]

Official languages
R.
1
2
-
-
-
-
Literacy in official languages
according to the 2005 census[7]
(population of age 12 and above)
Language%#
French (total)57.66,405,981
English (total)25.22,802,794
   French only46.05,112,479
   English only13.61,509,292
   French and English11.61,293,502
   Neither French nor English28.83,199,221
Total100,0011,114,495[13]
R.
1
2
-
-
-
-
-
Literacy in official languages
according to the 2005 census[7]
(population of age 15 and above)
Language%#
French (total)575,566,339
English (total)252,448,914
   French only454,401,333
   English only131,283,908
   French and English121,165,006
   Neither French nor English302,909,664
   Undetermined185,568
Total100,009,845,479[14]

Literacy in French for individuals of age 12 and above rose from 41.3% to 57.6%[15] between 1987 and 2005 while that of English rose from 13.4% to 25.3%.[16] The global proportion of individuals literate in official languages has thus markedly increased between 1987 and 2005, rising from 53.3% to 71.2%.[17]

In 2005, the probability to be literate in French while being anglophone was 0.46 while that of being literate in English while being francophone was 0.20, resulting from the predominant status of the French language in Cameroon as a whole.

Indigenous languages

Most of the 260 languages spoken in Cameroon are indigenous languages. With a population estimated in 25 million people, UNESCO classified the country as a distinctive cultural density. The National Institute of Statistics of Cameroon reported that four percent of the indigenous languages have disappeared since 1950. Currently, ten percent of them are neglected, and seven percent of them are considered as threatened.[18]

Ethnologue

The following list of languages in Cameroon is mostly based from Ethnologue.

NameSpeakers
Abo
Afade
Aghem[19]26,700[20]
Akoose[21]100,000[20]
Akum
Ambele
Arabic, Chadian[22] 145,000[22]
Atong[23]4,200[20]
Awing[24]19,000[20]
Baba[25] 24,500[20]
Babanki[26]22,500[20]
Bafanji[27]17,000[20]
Bafaw-balong[28]8,400[20]
Bafia[29]60,000[20]
Bafut[30]105,000[20]
Baka[31]40,000[20]
Bakaka[32] 30,000[20]
Bakoko[33]50,000[20]
Bakole
Bakundu-balue
Bakweri
Baldamu4
Balo
Balundu-bima[34]106,000[20]
Bamali[35]10,800[20]
Bambalang[36]29,000[20]
Bambili-Bambui[37]10,000[20]
Bamenyam[38]4,000[20]
Bamukumbit[39]12,000[20]
Bamum (Shüpamom)[40]215,000[20]
Bamunka[41]31,000[20]
Bana[42]23,000[20]
Bangandu
Bangolan[43]13,500[20]
Bangwa
Bankon[44] 12,000[20]
Lamnso
Barombi[45]3,000[20]
Bassa[46]230,000[20]
Bassossi[47]5,000[20]
Bata
Batanga6,000
Bati
Bayangam
Beba[48] 3,000[20]
Bebe
Bebele[49]24,000[20]
Bebil[50]6,000[20]
Beezen
Befang
Bekwel
Beti
Bikya
Bishuo
Bitare
Bokyi
Bomwali
Bu
Bubia
Buduma
Bulu[51]858,000[20]
Bum[52] 21,400[20]
Bumbung
Busam
Busuu3
Buwal[53]7,000[20]
Byep[54]9,500[20]
Caka[55]5,000[20]
Cung
Cuvok[56]5,000[20]
Daba[57]24,000[20]
Dama
Dek
Denya[58]11,200[20]
Dii[59]47,000[20]
Dimbong
Doyayo[60]18,000[20]
Duala[61]87,700[20]
Dugun[62] 7,000[20]
Dugwor[63]5,000[20]
Duli
Duupa[64]5,000[20]
Dzodinka2,600
Efik
Ejagham
Elip[50]6,400[20]
Eman
Esimbi[65]20,000[20]
Eton[66]52,000[20]
Evand
Ewondo[67]578,000[20]
Fali
Fang111,000
Fe'fe'[68]124,000[20]
Fulfulde 12,000,000
Gaduwa
Gavar[69]7,000[20]
Gbaya-Mbodomo[70]20,000[20]
Ghomala[71]260,000[20]
Gidar[72] 54,000[20]
Gyele[73] 4,250[20]
Gimme[74] 3,000[20]
Gimnime[75] 3,000[20]
Hausa25,000
Hdi[76] 25,000[20]
Iceve-Maci[77] 7,000[20]
Isu[78] 10,400[20]
Jimi[79] 3,500[20]
Kako[80] 100,000[20]
Karang[81] 17,000[20]
Kemedzung[82] 4,500[20]
Kenswei Nsei[83] 25,000[20]
Kenyang[84]65,000[20]
Kol[85] 12,000[20]
Kom[86]233,000[20]
Koonzime[87] 30,000[20]
Kotoko
Kwasio / Ngumba[88]9,000[20]
Kwakum[89] 10,000[20]
Kwanja[90] 20,000[20]
Kuk[91] 3,000[20]
La’bi[92] 4,400[20]
Laimbue[93] 5,000[20]
Lefa[94] 10,000[20]
Limbum[95]73,000[20]
Ncane[96] 15,500[20]
Ngiemboon[97] 250,000
Ngomba[98] 63,000[20]
North Giziga[99]20,000[20]
North Mofu[100] 27,500[20]
Mafa[101]136,000[20]
Makaa[102] 80,000[20]
Malgbe[103] 6,000[20]
Mambai[104] 8,000[20]
Mambila[105]30,000[20]
Manta[106] 5,300[20]
Massa
Matal[107] 18,000[20]
Mazagway[108] 17,000[20]
Mbedam[109] 6,000[20]
Mbo[110] 45,000[20]
Mbum[111] 38,600[20]
Mbuko[112] 13,000[20]
Medumba[113]210,000[20]
Mefele[114] 11,000[20]
Mendankwe-Nkwen[115] 23,100[20]
Mengaka[116] 20,000[20]
Mengisa[117] 20,000[20]
Menka[118] 5,200[20]
Merey[119] 10,000[20]
Mesaka[120] 14,000[20]
Meta'[121] 87,000[20]
Mfumte[122] 24,700[20]
Mmaala[123] 5,300[20]
Mmen[124] 35,000[20]
Mokpwe[125] 32,200[20]
Mousgoum
Mouse
Moghamo
Mofu-gudur[126] 60,000[20]
Moloko[127] 8,500[20]
Mpade[128] 16,000[20]
Mpongmpong[129] 45,000[20]
Mundang
Mundani[130] 34,000[20]
Musgu[131] 61,500[20]
Muyang[132] 30,000[20]
Nda'nda'[133]10,000[20]
Ndemli[134] 5,950[20]
Nga'ka[135] 50,100[20]
Ngamambo[136] 8,000[20]
Ngemba[137] 18,800[20]
Ngie[138] 37,000[20]
Ngombale[139] 45,000[20]
Ngoshie[140] 9,200[20]
Ngwo[141] 22,000[20]
Nomaande[142] 6,000[20]
Noone[143] 25,000[20]
North Fali[144] 16,000[20]
Nso'[145]125,000[20]
Nugunu[146] 35,000[20]
Nweh[147]73,200[20]
Nyong[148] 30,000[20]
Oku[149] 40,000[20]
Parkwa[150] 30,000[20]
Peere[151] 15,000[20]
Pinyin[152] 24,600[20]
Pol[153] 38,700[20]
Psikye[154] 40,500[20]
Saari[155] 7,000[20]
Sharwa[156] 5,100[20]
So[157] 9,000[20]
South Fali[158] 20,000[20]
South Giziga[159] 60 000[20]
Suga[160] 10,000[20]
Tikar[161]25,000[20]
Tigon Mbembe[162] 36,000[20]
Toupouri[163]125,000[20]
Tunen[164] 35,300[20]
Tuki[165] 26,000[20]
Usaghade[166] 10,000[20]
Vame[167] 8,500[20]
Vengo[168] 27,000[20]
Vute[169]20,000[20]
Wandala[170] 23,500[20]
Weh[171] 6,900[20]
Wushi[172] 25,000[20]
Wumboko[173] 4,000[20]
Wuzlam[174] 10,500[20]
Yabassi
Yamba[175]40,800[20]
Yambeta[176] 3,700[20]
Yemba[177] 300,000[20]
Zulgo-Gemzek[178] 26,000[20]
Mousgoum, Massa, Kotoko, and Mousseye are spoken on the Logone River in the Far North.[20]
Gyele[20]
Psikye[20]

ALCAM (2012)

The Atlas linguistique du Cameroun (ALCAM, or "Linguistic Atlas of Cameroon") lists about 250 languages in Cameroon. The list is provided below.[179]

Code Language name French spelling Other names Classification
001 Fulfulde Fulfulde Senegambian
002 Kanuri Kanuri Saharan
003 Sara Sara Central Sudanic
004 Pidgin English Pidgin-English creole
005 Arabic Arabe Semitic
101 Hausa Hausa West Chadic
102 Gedar Gédar Central Chadic
103 Munjuk Munjuk Central Chadic
104 Yedina Yedina Central Chadic
105 Kera Kera East Chadic
111 Wandala Wandala Central Chadic
112 Gelvaldaxa Gélvaldaxa Central Chadic
113 Parekwa Parékwa Central Chadic
121 Gevoko Gévoko Central Chadic
122 Hdi Hdi Central Chadic
123 Mabas Mabas Central Chadic
131 Pelasla Pélasla Central Chadic
132 Mbuko Mbuko Central Chadic
140 Matal Matal Central Chadic
151 Wuzlam Wuzlam Central Chadic
152 Muyang Muyang Central Chadic
153 Mada Mada Central Chadic
154 Melokwo Mélokwo Central Chadic
161 Zelgwa Minew Zélgwa Minew Central Chadic
162 Dugwor Dugwor Central Chadic
163 Merey Merey Central Chadic
164 Gemzek Gemzek Central Chadic
171 Giziga Giziga Central Chadic
173 Mofu-Duvangar Mofu-Duvangar Mofou-Nord Central Chadic
174 Mofu-Gudur Mofu-Gudur Mofou-Sud Central Chadic
175 Baldamu Baldamu Central Chadic
181 Cuvok Cuvok Central Chadic
182 Mefele Mefele Central Chadic
183 Mafa Mafa Central Chadic
191 Psikya Psikyá Central Chadic
192 Hya Hya Central Chadic
193 Bana Bana Central Chadic
211 Jimjimen Jimjimén Central Chadic
212 Gude Gude Central Chadic
213 Ziziliveken Zizilivékén Central Chadic
214 Sharwa Sharwa Central Chadic
215 Tsuvan Tsuvan Central Chadic
220 Njanyi Njanyi Central Chadic
230 Gbwata Gbwata Central Chadic
240 Buwal–Gavar Buwal–Gavar Central Chadic
251 Besleri Besleri Central Chadic
252 Daba Daba Central Chadic
253 Mazagway Hide Mazagway Hide Central Chadic
254 Mbedam Mbédam Central Chadic
261 Jina Jina Central Chadic
262 Majera Majéra Central Chadic
271 Lagwan Lagwan Central Chadic
272 Mser Msér Central Chadic
281 Afade Afadé Central Chadic
282 Maslam Maslam Central Chadic
283 Malgbe Malgbe Central Chadic
284 Mpade Mpadé Central Chadic
291 Masa Masa Masa
292 Zumaya Zumaya Masa
293 Musey Musey Masa
294 Zime Zime Masa
300 Samba Samba Samba
301 Longto Lóñtó Vere-Duru
302 Paare Pááre Páárá Vere-Duru
303 Doayo Doayo Doyayo Vere-Duru
304 Tupuri Tupuri Mbum
305 Mundang Mundañ Mbum
306 Mambay Mambay Mbum
307 Dama Dama Mbum
308 Mono Mono Mbum
309 Baka Baka Ubangian
311 Kobo Kobo Vere-Duru
312 Koma Ndera Koma Ndera Vere-Duru
321 Gimnime Gímníme Vere-Duru
322 Kompana Kompana Vere-Duru
330 Duupa Duupa Vere-Duru
341 Dugun Dugun Vere-Duru
342 Dii Dii Vere-Duru
343 Kolbila Kolbila Vere-Duru
351 Mbum Mbum Mbum
352 Karang Karang Mbum
353 Pana Pana Mbum
354 Kali-Dek Kali-Dek Mbum
355 Kuo Kuo Mbum
356 Gbata Gbátá Mbum
361 Pam Pam Mbum
362 Ndai Ndai Mbum
371 Fali, Northern Fali-Nord Fali
372 Fali, Southern Fali-Sud Fali
381 Gbaya Gbaya Ubangian
382 Bangandu Bangandu Bangando Adamawa
391 Gey Gey Adamawa
392 Duli Duli Adamawa
393 Nimbari Nimbari Adamawa
394 Oblo Oblo Adamawa
395 Mome Mome Adamawa
401 Basaa Basaa Bantu
402 Bakoko Bakoko Bantu
403 Beti–Fang Béti–Fañ Bantu
404 Bembele Bémbélé Bantu
405 Bebil Bébil Bantu
406 Bankon Bankon Barombi Bantu
411 Meka Méka Mékaa Bantu
412 So Só Só' Bantu
413 Bikele Bikele Bantu
421 Kwasio Kwasio Bantu
422 Bagyali Bagyáli Bagyeli Bantu
431 Mpo Mpo Bantu
432 Koozime Kóózime Bantu
440 Kako Kakó Bantu
462 Polri Polri Bantu
463 Kwakum Kwakum Bantu
501 Tikari Tikari Tikar Bantu
502 Ndemli Ndemli Bantu
511 Tunan Tunán Bantu
512 Nomande Nomande Nómaande Bantu
513 Atomp Atómp Bantu
514 Ninyo'o Ninyó'ó Bantu
520 Nigi Nigi Bantu
530 Bati Bati Bantu
541 Nugunu Nugunu Bantu
542 Nuasua Nuasuá Nuaswá Bantu
543 Nubaca Nubaca Bantu
544 Dumbula Dumbulá Bantu
550 Tuki Tuki Bantu
570 Tebaya Tébáya Bantu
581 Lefa' Léfa' Bantu
582 Dembong Démbóñ Dimbóñ Bantu
583 Ripay Rípáy Bantu
584 Rikpa Ríkpa' Bantu
601 Yasa Yasa Bantu
602 Batanga Batanga Bantu
610 Duala Duala Bantu
621 Mokpwe Mokpwe Bantu
622 Wumboko Wumboko Bantu
623 Bubia Bubia Bantu
624 Isu Isu Bantu
625 Bakola Bakólá Bantu
630 Oroko Oroko Bantu
640 Lifo-Balong Lifó-Baloñ Bantu
651 Mbo Mbo Bantu
652 Akoosa Akóósá Bantu
653 Nsosa Nsósá Bantu
701 Njukun Njukun Jukunoid
702 Kutep Kutep Jukunoid
703 Uuhum-Gigi Uuhum-Gigi Yukubenic
704 Korop Korop Cross River
705 Efik Efik Cross River
706 Boki Boki Bendi
707 Akum Akum Cross River
708 Baazen Nsaa Báázen Nsaa Báázán Nsaa Yukubenic
709 Mbembe Mbembe Cross River
710 Mambila Mambila Mambiloid
720 Vute Vúte Mambiloid
730 Nizaa Nizåå Mambiloid
741 Kwanja Kwanja Mambiloid
742 Bung Buñ Mambiloid
743 Kamkam Kamkam Mambiloid
750 Njoyama Njóyamá Njoyame Mambiloid
760 Twendi Twendi Mambiloid
780 Njanga Njanga Mambiloid
791 Yeni Yeni Mambiloid
792 Kasabe Kasabe Mambiloid
793 Luo Luo Mambiloid
801 Njwanda Njwandá Njwande Tivoid
802 Tiv Tiv Tivoid
803 Esimbi Esimbi Tivoid
804 Amasi Amasi Manta Tivoid
805 Njen Njen Momo
806 Mbonga Mbóña Jarawan
807 Ngong-Nagumi Ngoñ-Nagumi Jarawan
808 Ejagham Ejagham Jarawan
810 Aghem Aghem Ekoid
821 Mman Mmán Ring
822 Itangikom Itangikom Kom Ring
823 Bum Bum Ring
824 Babanki Babanki Ring
825 Ebkuo Ebkuo Ébkuó Ring
830 Lamnso' Lamnsó' Ring
841 Kenswei Nsei Kénswei Nsei Ring
842 Niemeng Niemeng Ring
843 Vengo Véño Ring
844 Wushi Wushi Ring
851 Befang Befang Menchum
852 Modele Modele Menchum
861 Ngwo Ngwó Momo
862 Basa Basa Momo
863 Konda Konda Momo
864 Widikum Widikum Momo
865 Menka Menka Momo
866 Ambele Ambele Momo
867 Mundani Mundani Momo
868 Ngamambo Ngamambo Momo
869 Busam Busam Momo
871 Bebe Bebe East Beboid
872 Kemezung Kémézuñ East Beboid
873 Ncane Ncane East Beboid
874 Nsari Nsari East Beboid
875 Noone Nóóné East Beboid
876 Naki Naki West Beboid
877 Bu Bu West Beboid
878 Missong Missong West Beboid
879 Koshin Koshin West Beboid
881 Kenyang Kenyang Nyang
882 Denya Denya Nyang
883 Kendem Kendem Nyang
885 Mungong Muñgóñ West Beboid
886 Cung Cuñ West Beboid
887 Busuu Busuu West Beboid
888 Bishuo Bishuó West Beboid
889 Bikya Bikya West Beboid
891 Ugare Ugaré Tivoid
892 Batomo Batomo Tivoid
893 Caka Caka Tivoid
894 Iyive Iyive Tivoid
895 Iceve Iceve Tivoid
896 Evand Evand Tivoid
897 Asumbo Asumbo Tivoid
898 Eman Eman Tivoid
899 Ihatum Ihatum Tivoid
901 Kwa' Kwa' Kwa Eastern Grassfields
902 Mengambo Méñgambo Eastern Grassfields
903 Limbum Limbum Eastern Grassfields
904 Dzodinka Dzodinka Eastern Grassfields
905 Nda'nda' Nda'nda' Eastern Grassfields
906 Yamba Yamba Eastern Grassfields
907 Mbe' Mbé' Eastern Grassfields
911 Mundum Mundum Eastern Grassfields
912 Bafut Bafut Eastern Grassfields
913 Mankon Mankon Eastern Grassfields
914 Bambili Bambili Eastern Grassfields
915 Nkwan-Mendankwe Nkwán-Mendankwe Nkwen-Mendankwe Eastern Grassfields
916 Pinyin Pinyin Eastern Grassfields
917 Awing Awing Eastern Grassfields
920 Ngombale Ngombale Eastern Grassfields
930 Megaka Mégaka Eastern Grassfields
940 Ngomba Ngomba Eastern Grassfields
951 Ngyamboong Ngyámbóóñ Eastern Grassfields
952 Yemba Yemba Eastern Grassfields
953 Ngwe Ñwe Eastern Grassfields
960 Ghomala' Ghómala' Eastern Grassfields
970 Fe'fe' Fe'fe' Eastern Grassfields
980 Mfumte Mfumte Eastern Grassfields
991 Shüpamom Shüpamom Shü Pamém Eastern Grassfields
992 Bangolan Bangolan Eastern Grassfields
993 Mboyakum Mboyakum Cirambo Eastern Grassfields
994 Ngoobechop Ngoobechop Bamali Eastern Grassfields
995 Chuufi Chuufi Bafanji Eastern Grassfields
996 Mungaka Mungaka Eastern Grassfields
997 Medumba Médúmba Eastern Grassfields

Classification

The 2012 edition of the Atlas linguistique du Cameroun (ALCAM) provides the following classification of the Niger–Congo languages of Cameroon.[179]

Adamawa
  • Samba
  • Daka
  • Kobo-Dii (Vere-Duru)
    • North: Doyayo, Longto
    • South: Peere
  • Mumuye
  • Mbum
    • North: Tupuri, Mundang, Mambay
    • South: Mbum, Pana, Kali-Dek, Kuo, Gbete, Pam, Ndai
  • Fali: North, South
  • Nimbari
Ubangian
  • Gbaya; Bangando
  • Baka
Benue-Congo
  • Jukunoid: Mbembe, Njukun, Kutep, Uuhum-Gigi, Busua, Bishuo, Bikya, Kum, Beezen Nsaa
  • Cross River: Korop; Efik
  • Bendi: Boki
  • Bantoid (see below)
Bantoid
  • Mambiloid: Njoyame, Nizaa, Mambila, Kwanja, Bung, Kamkam, Vute
  • Tivoid: Njwande, Tiv, Iyive, Iceve, Evand, Ugare, Esimbi, Batomo, Assumbo, Eman, Caka, Ihatum, Amasi
  • Ekoid: Ejagham
  • Nyang: Denya, Kendem, Kenyang
  • Beboid
    • Western: Naki, Bu, Misong, Koshin, Muŋgɔŋ, Cuŋ
    • Eastern: Bebe, Kemezuŋ, Ncane, Nsari, Noone, Busuu, Bishuo, Bikya
  • Grassfield (see below)
  • Bantu (see below)
Grassfield
  • Western
    • Momo
      • Ngwɔ, Widikum
    • Menchum
      • Modele, Befang
    • Ring
      • West: Aghem
      • Central: Mmen
      • East: Lamnso'
      • South: Kənswei Nsei, Niemeng, Vəŋo, Wushi
  • Eastern
    • Ngemba: Bafut, Mundum, Mankon, Bambili, Nkwen, Pinyin
    • Bamileke-Central: Ngomable, New; Kwa', Ghomala', Fe'fe', Nda'nda'
    • Noun: Mamenyan, Shüpamem, Bangolan, Cirambo, Bamali, Bafanji, Mungaka, Medumba
    • Northern: Limbum, Dzodinka, Yamba, Mbe', Central Mfumte, Southern Mfumte
Bantu
  • Jarawan: Ngoŋ-Nagumi, Mboŋa
  • Mbam (see below)
  • Equatorial: A, B, C, D (partial) (see below)
  • Zambeze: D (partial), E, F, G, H ,I, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, S
Mbam
  • ex-A40b
    • Ndemli, Tikari
    • Ninyoo, Tunan, Nomande, Atomp
    • Nigi
    • Bati
  • ex-A60
    • Yambasa: Nugunu, Nuasua, Nubaca, Dumbula
    • Sanaga: Tuki
Equatorial Bantu
  • North
    • A
      • Bafia (A50): Təbɛya, Lefa', Dimboŋ, Ripɛy, Rikpa
    • B
      • Coastal
        • A10: Oroko (West, East dialects), Lifɔ'-Balɔŋ, Nsose, Akoose
        • A20: Bakɔlɛ, Wumbuko, Mokpwe, Isu, Bubia; Duala
        • A30: Yasa, Batanga
      • Basaa-Beti (A40, A70): Bankon, Basaa, Bakoko; Bəti-Faŋ, Bəmbələ, Bəbil
      • Meka (A80): Məkaa, Sɔ, Bikele, Kwasio, Bagyɛli, Kɔɔzime, Mpo
      • Kakɔ (A90): Polri, Kwakum, Kakɔ
  • South: B, C, D (partial)

See also

References
  1. Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. Estimation du nombre de francophones dans le monde [Estimation of number of French speakers worldwide] (PDF) (in French). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-01-20.
  2. "Ethnologue: Languages of the World".
  3. Kouega, Jean-Paul. 'The Language Situation in Cameroon', Current Issues in Language Planning, vol. 8/no. 1, (2007), pp. 3-94.
  4. "What Languages are Spoken in Cameroon?". CETRA. 2012-02-01. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  5. Neba 65.
  6. "Presentation of Cameroon". Retrieved 29 March 2023..
  7. "Troisième RGPH (2005) - Alphabétisation". Bucrep.cm (in French). p. 220. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
  8. DeLancey and DeLancey 51.
  9. "Wenn Deutsch gleich Zukunft heißt", Dw.com, 29 Nov. 2010
  10. DeLancey and DeLancey 220.
  11. DeLancey and DeLancey 192.
  12. DeLancey and DeLancey 131.
  13. "Les dynamiques démolinguistiques au Cameroun de 1960 à 2005" (PDF). Odsef.fss.ulaval.ca. p. 77. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
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  16. "Dynamique des langues nationales et officielles au Cameroun de 1987 à 2005" (PDF). Erudit.org. p. 12. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
  17. "Les dynamiques démolinguistiques au Cameroun de 1960 à 2005 : un éclairage à travers les données des recensements" (PDF). Odsef.fss.ulaval.ca. p. 56. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
  18. Kindzeka, Moki Edwin (February 21, 2020). "How Cameroon Plans to Save Disappearing Languages | Voice of America - English". www.voanews.com. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  19. "Aghem". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  20. "Language Representative Counts". people.umass.edu. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  21. "Akoose". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  22. "Chadian Arabic". Ethnologue. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  23. "Atong". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  24. "Awing". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  25. "Supapya". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  26. "Babanki". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  27. "Bafanji". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  28. "Bafaw-Balong". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  29. "Bafia". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  30. "Bafut". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  31. "Baka". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  32. "Bakaka". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  33. "Bakoko". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  34. "Oroko". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  35. "Bamali". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  36. "Bambalang". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  37. "Bambili-Bambui". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  38. "Bamenyam". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  39. "Bamukumbit". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  40. "Bamun". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  41. "Bamunka". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  42. "Bana". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  43. "Bangolan". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  44. "Bankon". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  45. "Barombi". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  46. "Basaa". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  47. "Bassossi". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  48. "Beba". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  49. "Bebele". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  50. "Elip". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  51. "Bulu". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  52. "Bum". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  53. "Buwal". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  54. "Byep". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  55. "Caka". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  56. "Cuvok". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  57. "Daba". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  58. "Denya". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  59. "Dii". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  60. "Doyayo". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  61. "Duala". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  62. "Dugun". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  63. "Dugwor". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  64. "Duupa". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  65. "Esimbi". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  66. "Eton". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  67. "Ewondo". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  68. "Fe'fe'". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  69. "Gavar". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  70. "Gbaya-Mbodomo". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  71. "Ghomálá'". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  72. "Gidar". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  73. "Gyele". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  74. "Gimme". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  75. "Gimnime". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  76. "Hdi". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  77. "Iceve-Maci". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  78. "Isu". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  79. "Jimi". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  80. "Kako". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  81. "Karang". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  82. "Kemedzung". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  83. "Kenswei Nsei". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  84. "Kenyang". Ethnologue.com. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
  85. "Kol". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  86. "Kom". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  87. "Koonzime". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  88. "Kwasio". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  89. "Kwakum". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  90. "Kwanja". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  91. "Kuk". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  92. "La'bi". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  93. "Laimbue". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  94. "Lefa". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  95. "Limbum". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  96. "Nchane". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  97. "Ngiemboon". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  98. "Ngomba". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  99. "Giziga, North". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  100. "Mofu, North". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  101. "Mafa". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  102. "Makaa". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  103. "Malgbe". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  104. "Mambai". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  105. "Mambila, Cameroon". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  106. "Manta". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  107. "Matal". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  108. "Mazagway-Hidi". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  109. "Mbudum". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  110. "Mbo". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  111. "Mbum". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  112. "Mbuko". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  113. "Medumba". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  114. "Mefele". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  115. "Mendankwe-Nkwen". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  116. "Mengaka". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  117. "Mengisa". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  118. "Menka". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  119. "Merey". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  120. "Mesaka". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  121. "Meta'". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  122. "Mfumte". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  123. "Mmaala". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  124. "Mmen". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  125. "Mokpwe". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  126. "Mofu-Gudur". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  127. "Moloko". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  128. "Mpade". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  129. "Mpumpong". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  130. "Mundani". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  131. "Musgu". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  132. "Muyang". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  133. "Nda'nda'". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  134. "Ndemli". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  135. "Mungaka". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  136. "Ngamambo". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  137. "Ngemba". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  138. "Ngie". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  139. "Ngombale". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  140. "Ngoshie". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  141. "Ngwo". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  142. "Nomaande". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  143. "Noone". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  144. "Fali, North". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  145. "Lamnso'". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  146. "Nugunu". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  147. "Ngwe". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  148. "Mubako". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  149. "Oku". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  150. "Parkwa". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  151. "Pere". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  152. "Pinyin". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  153. "Pol". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  154. "Psikye". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  155. "Sari". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  156. "Sharwa". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  157. "Swo". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  158. "Fali, South". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  159. "South Giziga". Ethnologue. 2019-11-19. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  160. "Nizaa". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  161. "Tikar". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  162. "Mbembe, Tigon". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  163. "Tupuri". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  164. "Tunen". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  165. "Tuki". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  166. "Usaghade". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  167. "Vame". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  168. "Vengo". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  169. "Vute". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  170. "Wandala". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  171. "Weh". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  172. "Wushi". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  173. "Wumboko". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  174. "Wuzlam". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  175. "Yamba". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  176. "Yambeta". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  177. "Yemba". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  178. "Zulgo-Gemzek". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  179. Binam Bikoi, Charles, ed. (2012). Atlas linguistique du Cameroun (ALCAM) [Linguistic Atlas of Cameroon]. Atlas linguistique de l'Afrique centrale (ALAC) (in French). Vol. 1: Inventaire des langues. Yaoundé: CERDOTOLA. ISBN 9789956796069.

Sources
  • DeLancey, Mark W., and DeLancey, Mark Dike (2000): Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Cameroon (3rd ed.). Lanham, Maryland: The Scarecrow Press.
  • Neba, Aaron, Ph.D. (1999). Modern Geography of the Republic of Cameroon, 3rd ed. Bamenda: Neba Publishers.
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