| West Chadic | |
|---|---|
| Geographic distribution | Niger, Nigeria |
| Linguistic classification | Afro-Asiatic
|
| Subdivisions |
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| Glottolog | west2785 |
 West Chadic per Newman (1977) | |
The West Chadic languages of the Afro-Asiatic family are spoken principally in Niger and Nigeria. They include Hausa, the most populous Chadic language and a major language of West Africa.
The branches of West Chadic go either by names or by letters and numbers in an outline format. [1]
In addition, Poki is purportedly West Chadic, but no data is available.
George Starostin's (2010) internal classification of West Chadic [6] as presented in Blažek (2010): [7]
Roger Blench's (2021) internal classification of West Chadic: [8]
Distributions of West Chadic branches: [9]
| Branch | Code | Primary locations |
|---|---|---|
| Hausa–Gwandara | A1 | Northern Nigeria and Niger |
| Bole–Tangale | A2 | Darazo LGA, Bauchi State; Yobe, Taraba, Gombe, Borno states |
| Angas | A3 | Shendam and Mangu LGAs, Plateau State |
| Ron | A4 | Mangu LGA, Plateau State |
| Bade | B1 | Bade LGA, Borno State |
| South Bauchi | B2 | Darazo and Ningi LGAs, Bauchi State |
| North Bauchi | B3 | Bauchi State (Toro, Dass, Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi LGAs) |
Roger Blench (2022) suggests that West Chadic languages may have spread via a gradual agricultural dispersal in Central Nigeria, starting from 3,000–4,000 years ago. Blench notes that West Chadic morphology has been heavily influenced by Plateau languages, likely as a result of long-term intermarriage that occurred as West Chadic incomers took local wives who spoke Plateau languages. [10]
Although no full reconstruction of West Chadic has been published, reconstructions of numerals for West Chadic and its subgroups have been proposed by Václav Blažek (2018). [7]
The labial–velar consonants /kp/ and /gb/, widespread in Plateau and other Niger-Congo languages but uncommon in Chadic languages, can be found in Ron languages and in certain West Chadic A3 and Bole-Tangale languages. These consonants were borrowed from Plateau languages due to intensive long-term contact. However, other phonological features typical of Plateau and Niger-Congo languages such as ATR and vowel harmony are not found in West Chadic languages. [10]
Comparison of numerals in individual languages: [11]
| Classification | Language | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A, A.1 | Gwandara | da | bi | úkù / úɡú (Nimbia dialect) | huru / furu (Nimbia dialect) | bìyàri / bìyàr (Nimbia dialect) | ʃídà / ʃídə́ (Nimbia dialect) | bákwè / boʔo (Nimbia dialect) | tákùʃì / táɡə́r (Nimbia dialect) | tárà / tãrã (Nimbia dialect) | ɡóm̀ / ɡóŋ̀ / ɡwóm (Nim. dialect) |
| A, A.1 | Hausa | ɗájá | bíjú | ʔúkù / ʔúkkù (West Hausa) | fúɗú | bìjár | ʃídà / ʃíddà (West Hausa) | bákwài | tákwàs | tárà | ɡóːmà |
| A, A.2, Bole | Bele | móoɗì | bòló | kùnú | fòɗɗó | bàaɗì | bàccímóoɗì | báawùló | ɓóorùɗó (2 x 4) | ɓòowùnò | bìmbáɗí |
| A, A.2, Bole, Karekare | Karekare | wáɗí | bèːlú | kúːnùː | fèːɗú | bàːɗú | bàcóːɗì (5 + 1) | bàcíbèːlú (5 + 2) | fífèːɗú (2 x 4) | ɓànnù | mbáɗ |
| A, A.2, Bole, Bole Proper | Bole | móoɗì | bòláu | kúnùm | pòɗɗó | bàɗì | bàššimóoɗì | báawúló | póorɗó (2 x 4) | ɓòonùm | bìmbáɗí |
| A, A.2, Bole, Bole Proper | Bure (Bubure) | móɗé | máló | kúnú | ʄóɗó | báɗé | básúmé | básùmáló (5+ 2) | ʄórʄóɗó (2 x 4) | ɓárdzìmóɗé (10–1) | bárbáɗè |
| A, A.2, Bole, Bole Proper | Galambu | múuri | m̀bàál | kúun | páryá | bòorí | bɪ́címɪ́n | bùcù m̀bàl (5+ 2) | hórró | bàryà múuri (10–1) | bár |
| A, A.2, Bole, Bole Proper | Gera | móóyi | mbùlú | kúnú | fúɗú | bàaɗì | bèeshím | bìccìmbùlú (5+ 2) | húrɗú | ɓànìnjà / barija | bàrɗí / barr |
| A, A.2, Bole, Bole Proper | Geruma | mô / mon | m̀bàalú / mbàalúŋ | kúnú / kúnúŋ | fúɗú / húɗúŋ | bàaɗì / bàalí | bècə́m | bàzə̀mbàalú (5+ 2) | húrɗú / úrɗúŋ | ɓár jà | ɓáráɗì / ɓárári |
| A, A.2, Bole, Bole Proper | Kholok (Widala) | ɗók | pèlòw | bùnùm | pèeròw | faàt / faàr | foòròmìnì | paàlìlàw | bìrbìròw / pìrpìròw | kómbóy | ɓùmmò |
| A, A.2, Bole, Bole Proper | Kirfi (Giiwo) | móoɗì | mbàlú | kúnú | fáɗáu | bòoɗ | bìccúuni | bìcímbàlu (5+ 2) | fórfáɗó (2 x 4) | bàr jà móoɗi (10–1) | pàtà |
| A, A.2, Bole, Bole Proper | Maaka | mōɗì | bòllu | kūǹ | paɗɗu | bà | bìnkinù | nɡā̀nù or bákwài (< Hausa) | jìlai | kwàlak | bìmba |
| A, A.2, Bole, Bole Proper | Ngamo | mòɗi | bòlò | kùnû | hɔ̀ɗò | bât | bàʔàʃìmòɗi (5 + 1) | babìlò (5 + 2) | hɔɔrɗò (2 x 4) | ɓònù | bimbaɗ (2 x 5) ? |
| A, A.2, Bole, Bole Proper | Nyam | mɔ̀dɔ́ | fùllúk | kùnúŋ | hɔ̀dúk | hwàt | fármé | fáró fùllúk (5 + 2) | húrú ɡùdùk (2 x 4) | láɡó mɔ̀dɔ́ (10–1) ? | kùumò (litː ' kumo ' = ear) |
| A, A.2, Tangale, Dera | Dera (Kanakuru) | ɗuwey | rap | kunu | paraw | bât | byême | bwelà | torìmen | wanɗumwe (10–1) | ɡûm |
| A, A.2, Tangale, Tangale Proper | Kupto (Kutto) | ɗékkíré | fáláw/ páláw | kùnùŋ | fàɗàw / pàɗàw | fáat / páat | fáyɗìn / páyɗìn | fáyláw / páyláw | fàrfìɗòw | lèbìɗà | kómó |
| A, A.2, Tangale, Tangale Proper | Kushi | ɗòk | pə̀llòw | tàat | péeròw | fwàt / fúwàt | fàràɡbànàŋ | fàrlów | pìdiɗòw | fɔ̀jèràw | kpèmù |
| A, A.2, Tangale, Tangale Proper | Kwaami | múndí | póllów / fóllów | kúnúm | póɗòw / fóɗòw | páaɗí / fáaɗí | páyíndì / fáyíndì (5 + 1) | pópíllów / fófíllów (5 + 2) | pówùrɗòw / fówùrɗòw (2 x 4) ? | làmbáɗà | kúmó |
| A, A.2, Tangale, Tangale Proper | Pero (Pipero) | ɗók | bélòw | ɡ͡bónòŋ | béeɗòw | púat / fwát | páttira múndi | páttira bélòw | bídìdow | kómpòy / kómvòy | kó / k͡púmmò |
| A, A.2, Tangale, Tangale Proper | Piya | mùndí | pèelów | ɡbùnùm | pèeɗòw | fàat | pàtìrà mùndí (5 + 1) | pàtìrà pèelów (5 + 2) | pèdìpìɗów (2 x 4) ??? | kòmbòy | kùmmó |
| A, A.2, Tangale, Tangale Proper | Po Tangale (1) | dɔk | ràp | kúnuŋ | pàdàó | fùwàt | pàíndì | pèláù | pàpádà (2 x 4) | làmbùdà | ɡ͡bɔmɔ |
| A, A.2, Tangale, Tangale Proper | Tangale (Shongom) (2) | dɔ́k | ráp | kúnúŋ | sɛ́rɛɪ̀ | pʊ́wàd | páyɪ̀nɗɪ́ | péelòu | párpàɗá (2 x 4) | lámɓɗà | ɡ͡bɔ́mɔ́ |
| A, A.3, Angas Proper, 1 | Angas (Ngas) | ɡàk | báp | kʷán | fír | pɛ̀t | pìmí (5 + 1) | pòbáp (5 + 2) | pòkʷún (5 + 3) | pòfár (5 + 4) | sàr |
| A, A.3, Angas Proper, 1 | Kofyar | mé | vəl | kún | féer | paàt | pèmə (5 + 1) | pòɡòvəl (5 + 2) | pòɡòkun (5 + 3) | pòɡòfár (5 + 4) | sàr |
| A, A.3, Angas Proper, 1 | Miship (Chip) (1) | kəme | vəl | kun | feer | baat | pemee (5+ 1) | pokvəl (5+ 2) | pokkun (5+ 3) | pokfaar (5+ 4) | sár |
| A, A.3, Angas Proper, 1 | Miship (Chip) (2) | me | vɨl | kun | fɛr | paàt | pemɛ (5+ 1) | pɔ̀ɡɔ̀vɨl (5+ 2) | pɔ̀ɡɔ̀kun (5+ 3) | pɔ̀ɡɔ̀far (5+ 4) | sə̀r |
| A, A.3, Angas Proper, 1 | Cakfem-Mushere | kume | vel | kun | feer | paat | peemee (5+ 1) | feermeekum (4+ 3) ?? | feertiit (4 x 2) ?? | paatmeefeer (5+ 4) | kakapaat (5 x 2) ?? |
| A, A.3, Angas Proper, 1 | Mwaghavul (Mupun / Sura) | mə́ndòŋ | və́l | kún | féer | páat | péemè (5 + 1) | póvə̀l (5 + 2) | pòkún (5 + 3) | pòféer (5 + 4) | kàapàt və́l (5 x 2) ??? |
| A, A.3, Angas Proper, 2 | Goemai (Ankwe) | mée, ɡə̀mée | və́l | kún | fə́r | pʰá:t | pʰə̀mə́ (5 + 1) | pʰə̀və́l (5 + 2) | pʰùkún (5 + 3) | pʰə̀fár (5 + 4) | sár |
| A, A.3, Angas Proper, 2 | Tal | [mɛ́nɛ] | [vɨ́ɛ́l] | [kún] | [fɛi] | [pàːt] | [pɨ̀mɛ́] | [mɛ́fɛ́imɛ́kúːn] | [pàːfɛ́i] | [mɛ́ːpàː] | [sár] |
| A, A.4, Ron Proper | Ron (Daffo) | ɗaŋɡât | ful / fulál | yuhún | púʔ | hárá | makoŋ | melok | mafwaráʔ | yèlâm | hùrè |
| B, B.1, Duwai | Duwai | ɡùɗìyò | ʃirì | kô | fə̀ɗú | vā̀ɗ | ə̀jdə̀ɡərma | sə̀və̀sə̀ri / tlə̀və̀sə̀ri | ə̀jldàakò | wā̀rìyà | ɡùumà |
| B, B.1, Bade Proper | Bade | ɡàɗi | sərən | kwan | fəɗu | vàɗì | ə̀zdù | ɡatkasà | ɬədàakwà | warayà | ɡuumà |
| B, B.1, Bade Proper | Ngizim | kə́ɗə́n (counting), ɡàyí (enumat.) | ʃírín | kwán | fə́ɗú | vàaɗ | zə̀dù | ɡátkásà | dándàfə́ɗú (2 x 4) | kúɗkûvdà | ɡúmà |
| B, B.2 | Dira (Diri) | num | rɔp | mɪyaxkən | wupsɛ | nəmtəm | mukkə̀ | ŋyɪniŋɡì | wùzupsè (2 x 4) ? | vwanùm (10–1) ? | kwuɬ |
| B, B.2 | Miya | wútə̀ | tsə̀r | kìdi | fə̀ɗə | vàaɬə | màaha (5+1) ? | mààtsə̀r (5+2) | fə́rfəɗə (2 x 4) | kùcìyà | də́rɓitim |
| B, B.3 | Dass (of Dott) | nə̀m | rwáp | mààɣí | wùupsí | nàmtám | màamaɣ / muumáɣ | wúsúrmàɣè | wúsúpsì (2 x 4) | nàturə́psi / nàtàrə́psi | zùp |
| B, B.3, Boghom | Boghom | nyìm | ɓáap / pā́p / ɡbwàap | mói | múpsí | ndàuní / ndóoní | màak | nyàŋɡí | ɓóopsí | ʔáamsóyìm (10 -1) | ŋəmàs / wuur nyìm |
| B, B.3, Boghom | Mangas | nim | ɓíin | mween | ùpsi | tùun | màɣà | nyíŋɡi | ɡàamzi | kúrúmsa | zúp |
| B, B.3, Eastern | Jimi | nintóo | rwá | mwaikán / mwenkán | ihyú | namtáŋ / namtám | máakoo | inkóo | ɡuhyú (2 x 4) | kə́skəníntoo / kə́zə̀kə̀níntò (10 -1) | ndəɓóo / ɗúbó |
| B, B.3, Guruntum | Guruntum | ʃàak | raap | miyaŋ | ooso | kʸuwun | môon | nʸeene | ɡèesau | ɗáar | zùp |
| B, B.3, Guruntum | Zangwal (Zangur) | nə́m | kwáap | màyà | wúusù | nàmtàm | màaɡa | nyínìɡì | ʔáasuʔáasù (2 x 4) | áatə̀nə̀n | súp |
| B, B.3, Zaar Proper | Geji (Gyazi) (1) | nə̀m | lôp | mèkan | wupsì | nàmtan | mukkà | nitɡi | wùsupsì (2 x 4) ? | topsi | kuɬ |
| B, B.3, Zaar Proper | Geji (Gezawa) (2) | nɨ̀m | lôp | mèkən | wupsì | nə̀mtəŋ | mukkə̀ | nininɡi | wùsupsì (2 x 4) ? | nə̀topsi | kuɬ |
| B, B.3, Zaar Proper | Polci (Palci) | nɨ̀m | rǒp | miyèn | wupsɨ̀ | nə̀mtəm | maɣà | wusɨ̀rmìyen (4 + 3) ? | wɨsɨpsɨ̀ (2 x 4) ? | nàtoropsɨ̀ | zup |
| B, B.3, Zaar Proper | Saya | nàmbə́ŋ | mbə̀ɬíŋ | máajìi | wúpsə̀ | nândə̀m | lîim | wátsə̀maí | tántán | tɔ́knándə́m | zúp |
The Chadic languages form a branch of the Afroasiatic language family. They are spoken in parts of the Sahel. They include 196 languages spoken across northern Nigeria, southern Niger, southern Chad, and northern Cameroon. By far the most widely spoken Chadic language is Hausa, a lingua franca of much of inland Eastern West Africa, particularly Niger and the northern half of Nigeria.
There are over 525 native languages spoken in Nigeria. The official language and most widely spoken lingua franca is English, which was the language of Colonial Nigeria. Nigerian Pidgin – an English-based creole – is spoken by over 60 million people.
Bade is a West Chadic language spoken by the Bade people in Yobe State and Jigawa State, Nigeria. Their traditional ruler is the Emir of Bade. Similar to many other Western African languages, Bade is a vulnerable language at great risk of extinction. With 356,000 speakers, the language and the culture of the Bade people have suffered over the last several years. As the language continues to fade, the culture and historic value associated with the language perishes as well. The local dialect is shifting from Bade to Hausa. Across West Africa, the impact on local communities through the loss of the indigenous tongues will be significant. The endangerment of the Bade language represents the worldwide language diversity that is at risk. Many African languages have only received little linguistic attention, impacting these African languages.
Ngas, or Angas, is an Afro-Asiatic language spoken in Plateau State, Nigeria. The language has two dialects: Hill Angas and Plain Angas. Ngas language is one of the major languages in Plateau State, the 1952 census puts it as the largest ethnic group in Plateau State. Retired General Yakubu Gowon is a prominent Nigerian who is of Ngas extraction.
Koenoem is an Afro-Asiatic language spoken in Plateau State, Nigeria. It is spoken in about 6 villages east of the Panyam-Shendam road.
Tal is an Afro-Asiatic language spoken in Plateau State, Nigeria. Tal is spoken in a cluster of 53 villages located east of the Panyam-Shendam road. There are 6 dialects of Tal, namely Bongmuut, Buzuk, Nbaal, Muɗak, Muɗong, and Takong.
The Angas, Angas–Sura, or Central West Chadic languages are a branch of West Chadic languages spoken in Plateau State, north-central Nigeria.
Warji (Warjawa) or Sirzakwai is an Afro-Asiatic language spoken in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Speakers are shifting to Hausa.
The North Bauchi languages are a branch of West Chadic languages that are spoken in Bauchi State, northern Nigeria.
The Bole–Tangale languages are a branch of West Chadic languages that are spoken in various states of northeastern Nigeria.
Bure, also known as Bubbure, is an Afro-Asiatic language belonging to the Bole-Tangale group of the West branch of the Chadic family. It is spoken in northern Nigeria in the village of Bure and in some small settlements nearby. The language is used mostly by a very few speakers, of great-grandparental generation. Except for Hausa, which is lingua franca in the area, Bure is surrounded by other Chadic languages such as Gera, Giiwo and Deno.
Karai-karai is a language spoken in West Africa, most prominently North eastern Nigeria. The number of speakers of Karai-karai is estimated between 1,500,000 to 1,800,000 million, primarily spoken by the ethnic Karai-Karai people. It is an Afro-Asiatic language spoken principally in Nigeria with communities in Bauchi State, Yobe State, Gombe State and other parts of Nigeria. Many Karai-karai words share a common origin with the Northwest Semitic languages of Hebrew and Arabic. The Karai-karai language is most closely related to the Ngamo and Bole languages which are both considered derivatives of the Karai-karai language.
The South Bauchi languages are a branch of West Chadic languages that are spoken in Bauchi State and Plateau State, Nigeria.
Mantsi is an endangered Afro-Asiatic language spoken in Mangas town in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Blench (2020) reports that it is also called Mantsi. According to Blench, the structure of Mantsi differs significantly from the other South Bauchi languages.
Ron is an Afro-Asiatic language cluster spoken in Plateau State, Nigeria. Dialects include Bokkos, Daffo-Mbar-Butura, Monguna/Manguna (Shagau),. Blench (2006) considers these to be separate languages.
Daza or Dazawa is listed by Blench (2006) as a Chadic language within the Bole group, spoken in a few villages of Darazo LGA, Bauchi State, Nigeria. It was confirmed to exist in 2021. The language is nearly extinct with only elderly speakers speaking the language. Native speakers have shifted to Hausa.
Polci is an Afro-Asiatic language of Bauchi State, Nigeria. It is part of the Barawa cluster, which is in turn part of the West Chadic language family.
Ju is a language from the West Chadian branch of the Chadic language family. The language is spoken solely in Nigeria, and had approximately 900 native speakers in 1993. The language is unwritten.
Tala is a language from the West Chadian branch of the Chadic language family. The language is spoken in the central regions of Nigeria, and had approximately 1000 native speakers in 1993. The language is unwritten.
The Hausa–Gwandara languages of the Afro-Asiatic family are spoken principally in Niger and Nigeria. They include Gwandara and Hausa, the most populous Chadic language and a major language of West Africa.
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