Languages of Togo
Encyclopedia
Togo
is a multilingual country. According to one count, 39 languages are spoken. Of these, the official language
is French
. Two of the most spoken indigenous languages were designated as national language
s in 1975: Ewé
and Kabiyé
.
Among the other languages in Togo, Mina (the dialect of Ewé spoken in Lomé
) serves as the working language in the south of the country, Mobaa, Tem
(also called Kotokoli) and Fula
. Most of the indigenous languages of the country can be divided into two groups: the Gur languages
in the north, and the Kwa languages
in the south.
The two national languages tend to be used regionally: Ewé in the south
from Lomé
to Blitta
, and Kabiyé in the north
.
According to the Délégation générale à la langue française et aux langues de France, 30% of the population have a working knowledge of French, 37% according to the French Ministère des affaires étrangères in 2007.
According to Couchoro "The notable fact is that in the past 15 years, through developmental factors, and particularly to increased education, there has been a vast expansion in the use of French. The consequence has been an appropriation of French like never seen before". (Lafage, 1985, 551).
According to Isabelle Anzorge "This is just an imported language, but it gradually assumes a Togolese identity, freeing itself from all normative constraints, thereby integrating the cultural realities of the country."
The latter noted the existence of a French dialect: (...] since the fall of conscription due to economic and political upheaval (the collapse of phosphates, devaluation of the CFA, university strikes following the general strike of 1992, climate of civil war since 1991), French [has] become a tool or a means of communication of most Togolese, educated or not. "
over the area, was made the official language at independence.
The decision to give Ewe and Kabiye status as national languages was as decided in 1975 by President Eyadéma.
Togo
Togo, officially the Togolese Republic , is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located. Togo covers an area of approximately with a population of approximately...
is a multilingual country. According to one count, 39 languages are spoken. Of these, the official language
Official language
An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in a particular country, state, or other jurisdiction. Typically a nation's official language will be the one used in that nation's courts, parliament and administration. However, official status can also be used to give a...
is French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
. Two of the most spoken indigenous languages were designated as national language
National language
A national language is a language which has some connection—de facto or de jure—with a people and perhaps by extension the territory they occupy. The term is used variously. A national language may for instance represent the national identity of a nation or country...
s in 1975: Ewé
Ewe language
Ewe is a Niger–Congo language spoken in Ghana, Togo and Benin by approximately six million people. Ewe is part of a cluster of related languages commonly called Gbe, spoken in southeastern Ghana, Togo, and parts of Benin. Other Gbe languages include Fon, Gen, Phla Phera, and Aja...
and Kabiyé
Kabiyé language
Kabiyè is a Grusi language spoken primarily in northern Togo, and also by smaller numbers of people in Benin and Ghana. It is one of two national languages of Togo.-References:-External links:**...
.
Among the other languages in Togo, Mina (the dialect of Ewé spoken in Lomé
Lomé
Lomé, with an estimated population of 737,751, is the capital and largest city of Togo. Located on the Gulf of Guinea, Lomé is the country's administrative and industrial center and its chief port. The city exports coffee, cocoa, copra, and palm kernels...
) serves as the working language in the south of the country, Mobaa, Tem
Tem language
Tem , or Kotokoli , is a Gur language spoken in Togo, Ghana, and Benin. It is used by neighboring peoples....
(also called Kotokoli) and Fula
Fula language
The Fula or Fulani language is a language of West Africa. It is spoken as a first language by the and related groups from Senegambia and Guinea to Cameroon and Sudan...
. Most of the indigenous languages of the country can be divided into two groups: the Gur languages
Gur languages
The Gur languages, also known as Central Gur, belong to the Niger–Congo languages. There are about 70 languages belonging to this group. They are spoken in Burkina Faso, southern Mali, northeastern Côte d'Ivoire, northern Ghana, northern Togo, northwestern Benin, and southwestern Niger.Like most...
in the north, and the Kwa languages
Kwa languages
The Kwa languages, often specified as New Kwa, are a proposed but as-yet-undemonstrated family of languages spoken in the south-eastern part of Côte d'Ivoire, across southern Ghana, and in central Togo...
in the south.
The two national languages tend to be used regionally: Ewé in the south
South
South is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.South is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to east and west.By convention, the bottom side of a map is south....
from Lomé
Lomé
Lomé, with an estimated population of 737,751, is the capital and largest city of Togo. Located on the Gulf of Guinea, Lomé is the country's administrative and industrial center and its chief port. The city exports coffee, cocoa, copra, and palm kernels...
to Blitta
Blitta
Blitta is a prefecture and town located in the Centrale Region of Togo.- References :...
, and Kabiyé in the north
North
North is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.North is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west.By convention, the top side of a map is north....
.
According to the Délégation générale à la langue française et aux langues de France, 30% of the population have a working knowledge of French, 37% according to the French Ministère des affaires étrangères in 2007.
According to Couchoro "The notable fact is that in the past 15 years, through developmental factors, and particularly to increased education, there has been a vast expansion in the use of French. The consequence has been an appropriation of French like never seen before". (Lafage, 1985, 551).
According to Isabelle Anzorge "This is just an imported language, but it gradually assumes a Togolese identity, freeing itself from all normative constraints, thereby integrating the cultural realities of the country."
The latter noted the existence of a French dialect: (...] since the fall of conscription due to economic and political upheaval (the collapse of phosphates, devaluation of the CFA, university strikes following the general strike of 1992, climate of civil war since 1991), French [has] become a tool or a means of communication of most Togolese, educated or not. "
Language policy
French, which was inherited from the period of French mandate ruleFrench Togoland
French Togoland was a France Mandate territory in West Africa, which later became the Togolese Republic.-Mandate territory:...
over the area, was made the official language at independence.
The decision to give Ewe and Kabiye status as national languages was as decided in 1975 by President Eyadéma.