page_title: Manding languages
hierarchical_section_title: Manding languages
caption_attribution_description: English: Map of the Manding language continuum with approximate zones of major spoken varieties (Mandinka, Maninka, Bamanan and Jula) and shading of general areas where Manding functions as a lingua franca. Adapted from data of the following: Vydrin, Valentin, T.G. Bergman, and Matthew Benjamin. 2001. “Mandé Language Family of West Africa: Location and Genetic Classification.” SIL International 2000 (003). SIL Electronic Survey Reports (April 1). http://www.sil.org/silesr/2000/2000-003/Manding/Manding.htm.
context_page_description: The Manding languages are a dialect continuum of Mande languages spoken in West Africa. Their best-known members are Bambara, the most widely spoken language in Mali; Mandinka, the main language of the Gambia; Maninka, or Malinké, a major language of Guinea; and Jula, a trade language of the northern Ivory Coast and western Burkina Faso.
context_section_description: The Manding languages (sometimes spelt Manden) are a dialect continuum of Mande languages spoken in West Africa. Their best-known members are Bambara, the most widely spoken language in Mali; Mandinka, the main language of the Gambia; Maninka, or Malinké, a major language of Guinea; and Jula, a trade language of the northern Ivory Coast and western Burkina Faso.
caption: Map of the Manding language continuum
exif: {}