Chadic languages
| Chadic | |
|---|---|
| Geographic distribution | Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon |
| Linguistic classification | Afro-Asiatic
|
| Proto-language | Proto-Chadic |
| Subdivisions | |
| Language codes | |
| 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 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. Hausa is the only Chadic language with more than 1 million speakers.