Imraguen language

Categories: Languages whose existence is uncertain | Languages of Mauritania

The Imraguen language is allegedly spoken by the tiny (thousand-strong) Imraguen fishing tribe of the Banc d'Arguin National Park on the Atlantic coast of Mauritania. According to Gerteiny (1967), it is "a strange version of Hassaniyya restructured on an Azêr base", Azer being a Soninke dialect. The Ethnologue's description of their language appears to be based solely on this source, although they have now rejected his claim that the Nemadi had a separate Nemadi language. According to Fortier, "they speak the same language, Hassaniyya."

The name "Imraguen" itself is a Berber word meaning "fishermen".

Bibliography

• Alfred G. Gerteiny 1967, Mauritania. Frederic A. Praeger.
• Corinne Fortier, Spring 2004. AU MIROIR DE L'AUTRE: Chasseurs (Némadi) et pêcheurs (Imraguen) dans un monde de pasteurs nomades (Mauritanie) in Figures Sahariennes no. 7.