The Wolof Language

As a West Atlantic language mainly spoken in Senegal and Gambia, Wolof is also used in the Southern part of Mauritania. Nowadays, migration, business and trade have broadened the horizons of the language to some parts of Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Mali.

Wolof Language, People & Culture

Wolof language and culture has had the most observable impact throughout the Senegambia region. While only about 40% of the Senegalese population are Wolof, more than 80% of the people speak the language as either their first, second or third language.

Despite the Senegalese ethnic diversity — Pël, Sereer, Mandinka, Joola — Wolof dominates as the lingua franca and remains a growing means of communication for different peoples of the above-named West African countries. The extent of Wolof influence can be observed, to one degree or another, across the religious, economic, political, and social spheres and has been used as an effective medium of communication via radio and television broadcasts.

The Wolof language varies slightly across Senegal from St. Louis to Dakar; however, the various dialects are mutually understandable across rural and urban divides and country boundaries. Wolof is not a static language, and the dialect spoken primarily by the youth in urban areas has been noted for its adaptation and infusion with French, English and Arabic.

Unlike many other African languages, Wolof is not a tonal language. Although it has a long tradition of writing using the Arabic script known as Ajami or Wolofal, it also has been adapted to Roman script.

Why Study Wolof at OHIO?

Culturally, the influence of the Wolof language is observable through mbalax, popular Senegalese music, which has gone international thanks to superstars like Youssou Ndour, Thione Seck, Omar Pene, and Cheikh Lo who have spread its beats through Europe, the United States and far beyond. Also, Film director and writer, Ousmane Sembene, transported the Wolof language to an international audience with his critically acclaimed films including, Faat Kine, Mandat bi, Camp Thiaroye, Guelwaar, Ceedo and Xala. Other points of interest throughout Senegalese culture include lámb, Senegalese traditional wrestling; ceebu jën, the country’s main dish; and ataaya, a Senegalese special tea.

Known for their generosity and teraanga, or hospitality, the Senegalese often welcome friends and guests with conversations accompanied by three rounds of ataaya, which can last hours depending on the nature of the talk or meeting. Additionally, it is difficult to talk about the Wolof language or Senegalese people in general without highlighting the importance of the Sufi brotherhoods (Murid, Tijaan, Layeen, etc.) on a daily life basis. Islam has highly influenced Senegalese culture, and more than 90% of the population claim some form of Muslim identity.

The Wolof language itself is fascinating. It is easy to learn and is a great facilitator for traveling, research, study and work in the Senegambia region. Indeed, Wolof allows visitors to truly integrate socially and culturally and helps convey messages, particularly when those are of capital importance. Knowledge of even just the basic Wolof greetings extends an olive branch of effort and interest in Wolof culture. 

From taxi drivers, to street vendors and university students, there is a strong pressure and warm appreciation for even the feeblest attempts to communicate in Wolof versus the colonially rooted French default use by most visitors. Actually, learning Wolof should be a priority for those planning to travel to Senegal, Gambia and neighboring areas. Read more about Senegal.

Wolof Courses

Undergraduate and Graduate courses are offered in Wolof at both the Elementary and Intermediate levels. Students enrolled in Wolof language are introduced to Wolof greetings, vocabulary, grammar, literature, culture, and tradition with an emphasis on building strong Wolof skills through communicative language teaching activities. Additionally, students are introduced to Wolof culture through various interactive classroom activities, discussions, films, and dramatizations.

Elementary Level: (WOL 1110, 1120, 5110, 5120)

Undergraduates enroll for 4 credits but graduate students may enroll between 3 to 5 credits. Additional workload is assigned to graduate students who choose to take more than 4 credits. The first year introduces learners to the geography of the Wolof speaking area, society, and culture with an emphasis on some essential elements of Wolof linguistic and communicational competences. This course is especially appropriate for students planning to travel to Senegal.

Intermediate Level: (WOL 2110, 2120, 5210, 5220)

Intermediate Wolof has the prerequisite of elementary Wolof level. Learners at this level are exposed to more developed Wolof language structures (aiming the acquisition of higher linguistic, lexical, aural, and oral skills) through a progressive and practical study of cultural and literary themes. The intermediate level focuses on culturally contextualizing Wolof grammatical and communicative skills, hence the course's emphasis on advanced Wolof speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.

For more information, please contact african.studies@ohio.edu.

How We Teach

OHIO language courses focus on all aspects of the language: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Our language model also emphasizes the importance of culture. Language students not only learn Wolof but also understand its deep connections to the culture, history, traditions, and societal norms of the people who speak it.

OHIO Wolof language courses focus on the language's structure and how to communicate effectively while also exploring customs, beliefs, values, arts, literature, cuisine, social norms, and historical events that have shaped the language and its speakers. This approach helps students communicate more effectively and appropriately in various social and cultural contexts.