Balanta is now generally divided into two distinct languages: Balanta-Kentohe and Balanta-Ganja.

[5] Ethnologue lists the alternative names of Balanta-Kentohe as Alante, Balanda, Balant, Balanta, Balante, Ballante, Belante, Brassa, Bulanda, Frase, Fora, Kantohe (Kentohe, Queuthoe), Naga and Mane.

Balanta-Ganja is spoken by 86,000 people (as of 2006) in the southwest corner of and the south of Senegal.

[2][3] In September 2000, Balanta-Ganja was granted the status of a national language in Senegal, and as of then can now be taught in elementary school.

Balanta has case prefixes and suffixes alternatively interpreted as a definite article dependent on the noun class.