What is manding?

As an AI language model, I can give you the following information about "manding":

Manding is a group of languages, spoken by people predominantly in West Africa. It is also known as Mandé or Mandinga, and it includes several varieties such as Mandinka, Maninka, Susu, and Bambara.

The Manding languages are tonal and are part of the Niger-Congo language family. They are spoken by an estimated 40 million people in countries such as Mali, Guinea, Senegal, and Gambia.

In linguistics, manding refers to a request made by someone to obtain something they want or need. The concept of manding is often used in behavior analysis and therapy for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, where it is defined as a verbal behavior that is prompted by a specific need or desire. In this context, manding is seen as an important skill for promoting communication and social interaction.