Samo (Sane, San, Sa), also known as Mande Samo, is a
dialect cluster
A dialect is a variety of language spoken by a particular group of people. This may include dominant and standardized varieties as well as vernacular, unwritten, or non-standardized varieties, such as those used in developing countries or iso ...
of
Mande languages
The Mande languages are a family of languages spoken in several countries in West Africa by the Mandé peoples. They include Maninka (Malinke), Mandinka, Soninke, Bambara, Kpelle, Jula (Dioula), Bozo, Mende, Susu, and Vai. There are ar ...
spoken in
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Ivory Coast to the southwest. It covers an area of 274,223 km2 (105,87 ...
and
Mali
Mali, officially the Republic of Mali, is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is the List of African countries by area, eighth-largest country in Africa, with an area of over . The country is bordered to the north by Algeria, to the east b ...
.
Varieties
Intelligibility between Samo varieties is low. The following have been coded as separate languages:
*Matya Samo, spoken in
Kossi Province,
Sourou Province (
Nouna and
Solenzo areas) and Mali
*Maya Samo, spoken in
Sourou Province,
Yatenga Province
Yatenga is one of the provinces of Burkina Faso, located in the Nord Region of the country. In modern Yatenga, the most prominent city is Ouahigouya (also known as Waiguya). This city served as the capital of the kingdom of Yatenga, a powerful ki ...
, and
Zondoma Province
Zondoma is one of the 45 provinces of Burkina Faso, located in its Nord Region (Burkina Faso), Nord Region. In 2019 the population was 239,955. Its capital is Gourcy.
Education
In 2011 the province had 191 primary schools and 16 secondary schools. ...
*Southern/Maka Samo, spoken in
Nayala Province
Nayala is one of the 45 provinces of Burkina Faso and is in Boucle du Mouhoun Region.
Its capital is Toma.
Education
In 2011 the province had 133 primary schools and 20 secondary schools.
Healthcare
In 2011 the province had 20 health and social ...
(Nouna and Solenzo areas);
Sourou Province;
Sanguié Province;
Passoré Province
Passoré is one of the 45 provinces of Burkina Faso, located in its Nord Region. Its capital is Yako.
Education
In 2011 the province had 316 primary schools and 39 secondary schools.
Healthcare
In 2011 the province had 42 health and social prom ...
[The Seenku Sembla language is also called 'Southern Samo'.]
Demographics
Samo dialect populations and locations:
List of Samo villages organised by department and dialect:
[Berthelette, John (2002). ]
Survey report on the San (Samo) language
'. SIL Electronic Survey Reports 2002-005.
PDF
Sample vocabulary
Sample basic vocabulary of Samo dialects:
Writing System
Notes and references
Works cited
*
{{Authority control
Mande languages
Languages of Burkina Faso