Baldemu language

Baldemu, or Mbazlam, is a nearly extinct Afro-Asiatic language spoken in northern Cameroon. Baldamu is spoken in Bogo commune, Diamaré department, Far North Region by only 5 speakers as of 2012.^[3] Speakers have been shifting to Fulfulde.^[1]

Baldemu
Mbazlam
Baldare
Native to	Cameroon
Region	Far North Province
Native speakers	4 (2003)[1]
Language family	Afro-Asiatic Chadic Biu–Mandara North Maroua[2] Baldemu
Language codes
ISO 639-3	bdn
Glottolog	bald1241
ELP	Baldemu
Coordinates: 10°51′N 14°38′E

Name

The language is (or was) known as Baldemu or Baldare to its speakers.^[4] It is sometimes rendered Baldamu, Balda, Mbazlam, or Mbazla.^[3]

Baldamu is mentioned in Bryan and Westermann's Handbook of African Languages under the name Balda, suspected to be only a toponym. It is most closely related to Giziga, Mofu Duvangar, and Mofu Gudur according to C. Seignobos and H. Tourneux.^[3]

Status

Since migrating from the surrounding mountains to the village of Balda, Baldemu speakers have shifted to Fulfulde. Baldemu speakers who migrated to Kaélé similarly shifted to Mundang.^[4]