Vame

MLR

developing

Alternate Names: Maslava, Ndreme, Pelasla

Dialects: Hurzo, Ndreme, Pelasla. Pelasla is reportedly more similar to Wuzlam , than the other dialects are.

Genealogy:

Afro-Asiatic
Chadic
Biu-Mandara
A
A.5

Demographics: 8,500 (1992 SIL). Few monolinguals.

Language Use: Pelasla men almost always marry Wuzlam women; children grow bilingual in their own home. Home, village, church, public meetings. All ages. Very positive attitudes. Educated youth also use French [fra]. Also use Adamawa Fulfulde [fub], Wandala [mfi], Wuzlam [udl]. Used as L2 by Wuzlam [udl].

Language Development: Plans for use in primary schools. Secondary pupils come from 4 different language groups (Wuzlam, Vame, Muyang and Mada). Older population largely illiterate; schoolchildren can read French and those who have been to Vame literacy classes can read Vame, also some Pelasla adults have learned Fulfulde in the church literacy classes. Many children do not go to school; parents do not always find education important. Poetry. Films. Dictionary. Bible portions: 2007.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Cameroon

Other Comments: Pelasla is one of 6 ethnic groups: Pelasla, Mbreme, Ndereme, Afaem, Dumwa, Hurzo. Traditional religion, Christian.