Lexicostatistics and intelligibility testing survey with simplified SLOPE of the Mefele language

This sociolinguistic survey (using wordlists, recorded text testing, and simplified SLOPE) was conducted in the Mefele language area in Northern Cameroon in January 2002. The survey was part of an initiative to assess the need for literacy development in national languages throughout Cameroon. In particular, it was done to determine how well the Mefele understand Mafa, and if they could use Mafa literature.

It was concluded that, though there is a fair degree of Mafa bilingualism in the Mefele community, the Mefele people as a whole do not appear to understand or speak Mafa well enough to be able to use Mafa literature.

It was recommended that further investigation be conducted to determine the current use of Mafa in the Mefele community.