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Languages in Cameroon
Cameroon is a Central African country with a huge area with a population of approximately 23.44 million people. Thus, variety of languages in Cameroon are common. Over 250 total languages in Cameroon are spoken. However, the official languages in Cameroon are English and French. These two languages represent the history of the colonial era in Cameroon, where Cameroon was a colony of both French and English communities. However, despite being the official languages in Cameroon, both languages are rarely understood by the majority of the population, who strive towards bilingualism by speaking their native languages and official languages. French is more popular language than English, as it’s literacy has risen to 57.6% as compared to English whose literacy has risen to only 25.3%.
Other Languages in Cameroon
Out if a total of 250 languages in Cameroon are sub-divided into different categories. 55 of them are national languages termed as Afro-Asiatic languages, 2 out of 250 are Nilo-Saharan languages, 4 are Ubangian languages and other 169 languages in Cameroon fall in the category of Niger-Congo languages. For deaf residents of Cameroon, the government has introduced an American-sign language in Cameroon. This language of initiated by a deaf American missionary in Cameroon, Andrew Foster.
Other Details About Languages in Cameroon
There is less attempt by the government to promote native languages in Cameroon through radio, television and other media sources. Thus, the languages in Cameroon are inherited by generation through the communication of people themselves. As a result, we do not find any rich literature or history associated with native languages in Cameroon.