Siamou language


Siamou, also known as Sɛmɛ, is a language spoken mainly in Burkina Faso. It is unclassified within the Niger–Congo language family.
The speakers call themselves Seme. The Jula exonym is Siamou.

Classification

Siamou is traditionally classed as Kru. However, according to Roger Blench and Pierre Vogler, the language bears little resemblance to Kru. Güldemann also leaves out Siamou as unclassified within Niger-Congo.
Like the SOV Senufo languages, but unlike the SVO Central Gur languages, Siamou word order is SOV.

Geographical distribution

In 1999, it was spoken by 20,000 people in western Burkina Faso and another 20,000 in the Ivory Coast and Mali. In Burkina Faso, it is mainly spoken in the province of Kénédougou, around the provincial capital Orodara and the surrounding villages of Bandougou, Didéri, Diéri, Diéridéni, Diossogou, Kotoudéni, Lidara, and Tin. Siamou has one major dialect, Bandougou. In addition, there are minor dialectal differences among the Siamou spoken in Orodara and in surrounding villages. It is also spoken in Toussiana Department of Burkina Faso.