Kassonke | |
---|---|
Western Maninka | |
Xaasongaxango | |
Native to | Mali |
Ethnicity | Kassonke, Malinke |
Native speakers
|
1.6 million (2006–2012) |
Official status | |
Recognised minority
language in |
Mali
|
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | Either: – Kassonke – Western Malinke (Malinka) |
Glottolog |
xaas1235 Xaasongaxangowest2500 Western Maninkakan
|
The Kassonke (Khassonké) language, Xaasongaxango (Xasonga), or Western Maninka (Malinke), is a Manding language spoken by the Khassonké of western Mali and by the Malinke of eastern Senegal. Kassonke is a national language in Mali. Western and Eastern Maninka are 90% mutually intelligible, though distinct from the Mandinka (Malinke) of southern Senegal, which is a national language there.