Alternate Names: Aswanek, Aswanik, Azer, Ceddo, Cheddo, Gangara, Genger, Kwara, Maraka, Marka, Markaajo, Markakan, Sarakole, Sarakolle, Sarakule, Sarakulle, Sarangkole, Sarangkolle, Saraxuli, Sebbe, Serahule, Serecole, Soninkanxanne, Sooninke, Wakkore, Wankara
Dialects: Geriga (Giriga), Kinbakka, Kinxenna. Giriga dialect heavily influenced by Hassaniya Arabic ,.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 1,280,000 in Mali (2009 census), increasing. Population total all countries: 2,114,000.
Language Use: Vigorous. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Bamanankan [bam], French [fra], Hassaniyya [mey], Pulaar [fuc]. Used as L2 by Kagoro [xkg].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 5%–10%. At Bamako university, there are now many more Soninke students who choose this language than before, and numbers are rising. The language is also used in adult education in the Soninke region, especially around Yelimané (2013 SIL). Taught in some elementary schools. Poetry. Newspapers. New media. Radio programs. Films. TV. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 2001–2012.
Spoken In: Mauritania
Writing System: Arabic, Latin
Nation of Origin: Mali
Other Comments: Ethnic autonym: Sooninkanxanne. The Bambara refer to the Soninke as Marka and their language as Markakan; this name is different from the Marka , language. Muslim.