Alternate Names: Diola-Fogny, Dyola, Jola-Fogny, Jóola-Fóoñi, Kujamataak, Kújoolaak kati Kúfooñaak, Yola
Dialects: Buluf, Kalounaye, Kombo, Narang. Jola-Fonyi is the largest and most widely understood Jola variety. Lexical similarity: 68% with Jola-Kasa ,.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 340,000 in Senegal. 243,000 Fonyi, 96,700 Buluf. Population total all countries: 407,500. 34,000 monolinguals.
Language Use: Vigorous. All domains, oral and written use in administration, informal use in education. Oral use in commerce, traditional religion, some use in other religious services. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use French [fra], Mandinka [mnk], Upper Guinea Crioulo [pov], Wolof [wol]. Used as L2 by Bandial [bqj], Gusilay [gsl], Karon [krx], Kuwaataay [cwt], Mankanya [knf], Mlomp [mlo], Pulaar [fuc].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 10%. Experimental pilot classes since 2002. Buluf dialect seems to have many lexical items different from Fonyi, but Buluf speakers are willing to learn to read Fonyi. Radio programs. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2012.
Writing System: Arabic, Latin
Nation of Origin: Senegal
Other Comments: Distinct from Jula , (Dioula, Dyoula, Dyula) of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire. Muslim, Christian, traditional religion.