Languages of Burkina Faso

The official language is French, which was introduced when France colonized Burkina Faso in 1919. French is the principal language of administrative, political and judicial institutions, public services, and the press. It is the only language for laws, administration and courts. French is the language of instruction in the nation's schools.[4] However, fewer than 15 percent of the population uses French on a day-to-day basis.[5] Despite this low percentage, there is a high amount of support in keeping French as the language of instruction because it provides children a pathway to social mobility and assures continued economic support for education.[6] In fact, according to a 1998 report, “Burkinabe saw no interest in sending their children to school to learn a language that they already spoke at home”.[7]

French is one of 13 languages used on the radio.[8]

The Mossi language, also known as Móorè, is the most widely spoken language in the country, with 48 percent of Burkinabes being speakers as of 2008.[5] Dyula and Fulfulde are also recognized as national languages. This has caused consternation with speakers of the other languages, who have protested it as an injustice.[9]

The country's name was taken from words in two of the most widely spoken languages, with ‘Burkina’ meaning ‘men of integrity’ in Mossi and ‘Faso’ meaning ‘father’s house’ in Dyula.

Fulfulde is the lingua franca in many parts of Burkina Faso.[10] It is widely spoken in the north and east of the country as a first language, with 8.36 percent of the population able to speak it.[2][11] Dyula is also a lingua franca and is widely used as a trading language.[2] A 2014 survey reported that 5.7% of the population speaks Dyula as their dominant language at home,[12] but the number of L2 speakers is likely much higher.

Most of the languages that are spoken belong to either the Mande or Gur branches. In rural areas of Burkina Faso, one's native language is typically used for common activities.[2] In large towns, most people are multilingual.[8] Although not recognized as a national language, Gourmanché is spoken by 5.51% of the population. Other important minority languages include Bissa, spoken by 2.85%; Bwamu, spoken by 1.91%, Dagara, spoken by 1.76%; and Samo, spoken by 1.66%.[11] Dagara is spoken in the southwestern part of Burkina Faso and borrows heavily from French and, to a lesser degree, English.[13]

Endangered languages include:

• Jalkunan [aka Dyala, Dyalanu, Jalkuna][14]
• Kalamsé [aka Kalemsé, Kalenga, Sàmòmá][15]
• Khe [aka Kheso, Bambadion-Kheso,][16]
• Khisa [aka Komono, Khi Khipa, Kumwenu][17]
• Natioro [aka Koo'ra, Natyoro, Natjoro][18]
• Pana (Burkina Faso) [aka Sama,][19]
• Pongu [aka Pongo, Pangu, Arringeu][20]
• Sininkere [aka Silinkere, Silanke,][21]
• Tiéfo [aka Foro, Tyefo, Tyeforo][22]
• Wara [aka Wára, Ouara, Ouala][23][24]

• African French
• Education in Burkina Faso

• Ethnologue listing of Burkina Faso languages