Alternate Names: Songai, Songay, Songhai, Songhay, Songhoy, Songoi, Songoy, Sonrai, Sonrhai, Timbuktu Songhoy, West Songhoy
Dialects: Djenné Chiini, Koyra Chiini. Main dialect division between Timbuktu and the upriver towns from Diré to Niafunké. Very distinct in Djenné City. Lexical similarity: 77% with Gao and Timbuktu dialects, 50% lexical similarity with Tadaksahak ,.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 200,000 (1999 SIL), increasing.
Language Use: All ages. Positive attitudes. Timbuktu has more prestige than other West Songhoy dialects. Also use Bamanankan [bam], French [fra], Hassaniyya [mey], Tamasheq [taq]. Used as L2 by Tiemacèwè Bozo [boo].
Language Development: Taught in primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1936.
Typology: Kaado (Zarma dialect in Niger) is SOV, West Songhay SVO. Djenné Chiini phonology, lexicon, basic inflection almost identical to Koyra Chiini, but syntax (especially relativization and focalization) very different; Djenné has 7 vowels to 5 for Koyra Chinni (1999 J. Heath); Kaado has 3 tones, West Songhay no tones.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Mali
Other Comments: Muslim, traditional religion.