![]() | This article should specify the language of its non-English content, using {{lang}}, {{transliteration}} for transliterated languages, and {{IPA}} for phonetic transcriptions, with an appropriate ISO 639 code. Wikipedia's multilingual support templates may also be used. (June 2022) |
Chadic | |
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Geographic distribution | Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon |
Linguistic classification | Afro-Asiatic
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Proto-language | Proto-Chadic |
Subdivisions | |
ISO 639-5 | cdc |
Glottolog | chad1250 |
![]() Map of the distribution of the Chadic languages within Africa | |
![]() Detailed map of the distribution of Chadic languages in Western and Central Africa |
The Chadic languages form a branch of the Afroasiatic language family. They are spoken in parts of the Sahel. They include 196 languages[1] spoken across northern Nigeria, southern Niger, southern Chad, and northern Cameroon. By far the most widely spoken Chadic language is Hausa, a lingua franca of much of inland Eastern West Africa, particularly Niger and the northern half of Nigeria.