Languages of Togo
Togo is a multilingual country, which according to one count has 44 languages spoken.[1] The official language is French. Two indigenous languages were designated politically as national languages in 1975: Ewé (Ewe: Èʋegbe) and Kabiyé.
The two national languages tend to be used regionally: Ewé in the south from Lomé to Blitta, and Kabiye from Blitta to Dapaong in the north.
Written languages
French is the main written language, as most indigenous languages are not commonly used in writing.
Language policy
French, which was inherited from the period of French mandate rule over the area, was made the official language at independence.
The decision to give Ewe and Kabiye status as national languages was as decided in 1975 by President Eyadéma.
Notes and references
Le français au Togo : une aventure ambigüe, Isabelle Anzorge, Université Nice, 1998.
- ^ Ethnologue, "Languages of Togo" (accessed Oct. 31, 2010)
External links
- (in French) Linguistics of the world- Togo - University of Laval
