Lamnso’

LNS

wider communication

Alternate Names: Bansaw, Banso, Banso’, Lamnsok, Lamso, Nsaw, Nsho’, Nso, Nso’, Panso

Status Notes: Used by speakers of many other languages.

Genealogy:

Niger-Congo
Atlantic-Congo
Volta-Congo
Benue-Congo
Bantoid
Southern
Wide Grassfields
Narrow Grassfields
Ring
East

Demographics: 240,000 in Cameroon (2005 SIL), increasing. 72,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 240,000.

Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. 150,000 also use Cameroon Pidgin [wes]. 70,000 also use English [eng]. Also use Limbum [lmp], Oku [oku]. Used as L2 by Kom [bkm], Limbum [lmp], Oku [oku].

Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 10%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. Used informally in education. Poetry. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1990.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Cameroon

Other Comments: Traditional religion, Christian, Muslim.