wolof

Everyday

1. The Wolof are a people of West Africa, living mostly in Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania. tree →
2. Wolof is also their language, widely spoken in Senegal by many people, including those who are not Wolof. tree →
3. As an adjective it describes things of this people or language: «Wolof music». tree →

In the lessons

In geography and language lessons Wolof is an example of an African language used every day in markets, music and radio, alongside French in Senegal. English has borrowed a few words that may come from Wolof, perhaps «banana» and «jive», though experts are not sure. Usually written with a capital W.

Examples

• Wolof is spoken by millions of people in Senegal. tree →
• My friend from Dakar taught me to say hello in Wolof. tree →
• Many Senegalese people speak Wolof and French. tree →
• The Wolof people have a long tradition of griots, who sing family histories. tree →
• «Jërëjëf» means «thank you» in Wolof. tree →
• The radio played a song in Wolof. tree →

Note

Proper noun: write «Wolof» with a capital letter. Say «WOH-lof». Do not call Wolof a «dialect»; it is a full language. Names of peoples and languages are not plural with -s here: «the Wolof», «speak Wolof».