 | This article should specify the language of its non-English content, using {{lang}}, {{transliteration}} for transliterated languages, and {{IPA}} for phonetic transcriptions, with an appropriate ISO 639 code. Wikipedia's multilingual support templates may also be used. (June 2022) |
| 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[1] 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, along with Mafa and Karai Karai, are the only three Chadic languages with more than 1 million speakers.