The Languages spoken in Guinea

The official language of the country of Guinea is French. There are numerous ethnic languages in the country and the three most prevalent ethnic language are Susu, Pular (Foulah, Peuhl), and Malinke. The ethnic language Susu is spoken in the coastal region and in the capital city. Toma, Guerze, Kissi and others are spoken in the interior (Sacred Forest) region bordering on Mali, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

In 1967, a cultural revolution was announced for the purpose of “de-Westernizing” Guinean education. A literacy program begun in 1968 sought eventually to teach all citizens to speak and write one of the eight principal local languages: Malinke (Maninkakan), Fulani (Poular), Susu, Kpelle (Guerze), Loma (Toma), Kissi, Coniagui, and Bassari, all of which belong to the Niger-Congo language group. After the fall of Toure regime in 1984, French was again emphasized; however, the tribal languages are still spoken.