Cameroon

Vision & Strategy

SIL Cameroon is an affiliation of SIL International, a faith-based nonprofit organization, aimed at serving languages communities worldwide. Present in Cameroon since 1969, SIL is situated in Mvan Tropicana along the Mbalmayo Road, and works in the development of Cameroonian local languages through linguistic research, literacy, training, translation, advocacy for multilingual education and Scripture engagment. The personnel of SIL Cameroon come from over 15 countries: Australia, Bahamas, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Peru, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

SIL Cameroon focuses on unwritten languages. People who speak these languages often live in geographic, social, and economic isolation. Studying these languages results in practical help for local people and contributes to the broader knowledge of linguistics, anthropology, and ethnomusicology. SIL publishes its research and widely distributes it to libraries, universities, governments, and international agencies. SIL’s premier publication, the Ethnologue: Languages of the World, is a comprehensive resource on the world’s more than 7.000 living languages.

​​Mission of SIL Cameroon

  • Work in partnership with the government, civil society organizations and language communities to develop and promote mother tongues.
  • Access to and use of Scripture and related materials.
  • Increase the capacity of others to carry out language development.
  • Advancement of academic knowledge and professional skills.

​Facts and Figures

SIL Cameroon Statistics

55

Years in Cameroon!

283

The number of languages listed for Cameroon (Ethnologue, 21st Edition)

277

are living languages,

3

are second language without mother-tongue speakers,

6

are extinct

Over 200

Active personnel

15

Nationalities of SIL Cameroon staff

 

 


 

 

 

SIL International Statistics

7.097

Languages spoken in the world (Ethnologue, 21st Edition)

1.900

Total languages aided in designing their writing system

1.700

Active language projects (1.2 billion speakers)

3.901

Languages represented in SIL's Language and Culture Archives

1.152

Staff who hold advanced degrees

4 811

Active personnel

84

Nationalities of SIL staff