How many languages and dialects are spoken in Chad?

There are more than 100 different languages and dialects spoken in Chad. While many of these languages are not fully recorded, they are categorized into 12 distinct groupings, including the Sara-Bongo-Bagirmi, Mundang-Tuburi-Mbum, Chado-Hamitic, Kanembu-Zaghawa, Maba, Tama, Daju, Central African groups (such as Sango), Bua, Somrai, Mimi, and Fur.1

In addition to this linguistic diversity, Arabic and French serve as the country's two official languages. Arabic is spoken in various forms, including distinct dialects among nomadic and settled populations, as well as a simplified version used in commerce. French is primarily utilized in education and communications, with its usage more prevalent in urban areas than in the countryside.21