Koonzime

OZM

developing

Alternate Names: Djimu, Dzimou, Kooncimo, Koozhime, Koozime, Nzime, Zimu

Dialects: Badwe’e (Badjoue, Bajue, Bajwe’e, Koozime), Nzime (Koonzime).

Genealogy:

Niger-Congo
Atlantic-Congo
Volta-Congo
Benue-Congo
Bantoid
Southern
Narrow Bantu
Northwest
A
Makaa-Njem (A.842)

Demographics: 40,000 (2011 SIL). 26,400 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 40,000.

Language Use: All domains, public discourse, government information, oral and written use in church, oral literature. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use French [fra]. Used as L2 by Baka [bkc], Kol [biw].

Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: About 10%. Literacy rate in L2: 20%. 8,000 can read it, 150 can write it. Taught in primary schools. Poetry. New media. Radio programs. Dictionary. NT: 1998–2003.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Cameroon

Other Comments: Glossonym: Koonzime refers to the Nzime dialect, Koozime to the Badwe’e dialect. Christian, traditional religion.