Ekpeye language

Last updated
Ekpeye
Native to Nigeria
Region Rivers State
Ethnicity Ekpeye people
Native speakers
226,000[ citation needed ] [1]
Niger–Congo?
Language codes
ISO 639-3 ekp
Glottolog ekpe1253

Ekpeye is one of many languages spoken in Rivers State, Nigeria. According to Roger Blench, Ekpeye is classified as an Igboid language. Although an Igboid language, Ekpeye has evolved to a very distinct Igboid language that is phonologically different from other Igboid languages. [2] The Engenni, Ogba and Ikwerre languages are closely related to Ekpeye. Ekpeye has many mutually intelligible dialects.

Contents

Writing system

Ekpeye alphabet [3]
abbhchddheggbgwhijkkpkw
lmnnwnyopsshtuwwhyzzh

Phonology

Vowels

Ekpeye has nine vowel phonemes:

Vowels of Ekpeye
Front Near-frontNear-back Back
Close i u
Near-close ɪ ʊ
Close-mid e o
Open-mid ɛ ɔ
Open a

The language has no long nasal vowels, no contrast between oral and nasal vowels, and no allophonic variants. The vowels carry tones, as Ekpeye is a tonal language. Ekpeye exhibits active synchronic vowel harmony. [3]

Distribution

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References

  1. Ekpeye at Ethnologue (21st ed., 2018) Closed Access logo transparent.svg
  2. Blench, Roger. "A reconstruction of the phonology of proto-Igboid".
  3. 1 2 Ngulube, Isaac (2011). "Ekpeye Orthography". Orthographies of Nigerian Languages. IX. Retrieved 19 December 2023.