Adamawa languages explained

Adamawa
Acceptance:defunct
Region:Northern Cameroon, north-western Central African Republic, southern Chad, and eastern Nigeria
Familycolor:Niger-Congo
Fam2:Atlantic–Congo
Fam3:Adamawa–Ubangi
Child1:Tula–Waja
Child2:Leko–Nimbari
Child3:Mbum–Day
Child4:Waja–Jen
Child5:Nyingwom
Child6:Oblo (?)
Glotto:adam1259
Glottorefname:Adamawa

The Adamawa languages are a putative family of 80–90 languages scattered across the Adamawa Plateau in Central Africa, in northern Cameroon, north-western Central African Republic, southern Chad, and eastern Nigeria, spoken altogether by only one and a half million people (as of 1996). Joseph Greenberg classified them as one branch of the Adamawa–Ubangi family of Niger–Congo languages. They are among the least studied languages in Africa, and include many endangered languages; by far the largest is Mumuye, with 400,000 speakers. A couple of unclassified languages—notably Laal and Jalaa—are found along the fringes of the Adamawa area.

Geographically, the Adamawa languages lie near the location of the postulated Niger–Congo – Central Sudanic contact that may have given rise to the Atlantic–Congo family, and so may represent the central radiation of that family.

Classification

Joseph Greenberg postulated the Adamawa languages as a part of Adamawa–Ubangian (then called Adamawa–Eastern), and divided them into 14 numbered groups. Group G3, Daka (or Dakoid), is now known to be a branch of Benue–Congo. The relationships of the other branches has undergone considerable revision.

There have also been recent attempts at computationally classifying the Adamawa languages.[1]

Greenberg (1963)

Greenberg's 14 numbered Adamawa groups are:[2]

Number Group
G1 Tula–Waja
G2 Leko
G3 Daka
G4 Duru
G5 Mumuye–Yendang
G6 Mbum
G7 Bəna–Mboi (Yungur)
G8 Nyimwom (Kam)
G9 Bikwin–Jen
G10 Longuda
G11 Fali
G12 Nimbari
G13 Bua
G14 Kim

Boyd (1989)

Boyd (1989) added the Day language and classified them as follows:[3]

He excluded the Fali languages (G11).

Güldemann (2018)

Güldemann (2018) recognises 14 coherent Adamawa "genealogical units", but is agnostic about their positions within Niger-Congo.[4]

Kleinewillinghöfer (2019)

Kleinewillinghöfer (2019), in the Adamawa Languages Project website, recognises the following 17 groups as Adamawa languages.[5]

G5

G14

G13

Only the Tula-Waja, Longuda, Ɓəna-Mboi, Samba-Duru, and Bua groups have noun classes. The other groups only display vestiges of formerly active noun class systems.[21]

Blench (2012, 2020)

Roger Blench (2012)[22] concludes that the Adamawa languages are a geographic grouping, not a language family, and breaks up its various branches in his proposed Savannas family. He places some of the western Adamawa languages closer to the Gur languages than to other Adamawa families. Fali is tentatively excluded from Savannas altogether. Blench (2020) retains a connection between Mumuye and Yendang, but breaks up Kleinewillinghöfer's Samba-Duru.

Unclassified Adamawa languages

The Oblo language of Cameroon has been included in several versions of the Adamawa group, but its position within it is unclear.[23]

It has been speculated that the unclassified Laal language of Chad may be Adamawa; the Jalaa language of Nigeria is probably not Adamawa, but shows heavy Adamawa influence. However, both are generally now considered to be language isolates.

Comparative vocabulary

Sample basic vocabulary of Adamawa languages from Kleinewillinghöfer's Adamawa Languages Project website and various other sources:[5]

Note: In table cells with slashes, the singular form is given before the slash, while the plural form follows the slash.

Classification Language Dialect eye ear nose tooth tongue mouth blood bone water tree eat name
BaaBaanu(ví) / rínùǹtú / ríǹtúgyo̰ / rigyó̰nyanwívì / rí-dyḛǹ(vì)nyààvìtwèènkukútmánkii / rikiigyâzin
Bikwin-Jen[24] Proto-Jen (Proto-Bikwin-Jen)
  • núŋ
  • tswi
  • lúr(i)
  • le
  • ɗək; (*lyəN)
  • ɲwa
  • ɥe/*zwi
  • kub
  • kəb
  • mɛ/*mɨŋ
  • tə́ŋ
  • lɨn/*ɗwín
Bikwin-Jen[25] Burak (Ɓʊʊrak)núŋtwíi ?lúúriléeɗá̰knyúwaa, nywaawɪ́ɪ́kúb, kúp ?mɛ́ɛ́ɗít / yéɗittá̰ŋlín̄
Bikwin-JenLoo (Shʊŋɔ)Galdemaruɛrɛ nuŋtwɪ́ɪ́lúúrìleiɗaknywadùmkúpmɛ́ɛ́ɗíttáŋnin
Bikwin-JenLoo (Shʊŋɔ)Waamuraɛrɛ nuŋtwɪ́ɪ́lúúrìleiɗaknywadùmkúpmɛ́ɛ́káptáŋnin
Bikwin-JenMaɣdi (Tala)núŋ / yéénuŋcwééluuliléíɗáknyuwaayweekób, kúób / yéé kóbmíshìkáp / yéékáptaŋlin
Bikwin-JenLee MakPanyanuŋdɔkswíìɗuurəleilénnuwaalyüékópmui kyakap / yeekâptáŋɗín
Bikwin-JenLee MakZoonuŋ(ɗɔ́k)shwìyèɗuurəleilénnuwalyüékúópmwui kyakàptáŋɗin
Bikwin-JenKya̰k (Bambuka)núŋɗɔ́kswìɗúrlɛ́ɛ́ɗyímŋwaàzwììkəkəpmùŋkáptáŋɗwín
Bikwin-JenMɔɔ (Gomu)nə́ŋɗɔ́kfíìɗúrlɛ́ɛ́ɗyíkŋwaazììkúpmùŋ kwâmkaaptaŋɗwín
Bikwin-JenLeeLau (Munga, Munga Leelau)núŋɗɔkswîɗurr, ndurrléílyénŋwaàzììkukup; (kʊkʊp ?)munkikâptâŋɗún
Bikwin-JenDza (Jen)Kaigamanə́ŋtshwötshwíbwaadjwídjììlʌ̰́nnwâhywṵi, hywḭkʊʊkʊ́, kʊkʊ́mmə́ŋkɐ́ɐ / ekʌ́(ʌ)táŋ, tháŋdjwuŋ
Bikwin-JenMunga (Məngaŋ) Dosonəŋcúcwìkádwìíìlyêmŋwààehywü; (exwü)kúkwə̀məŋ tsərkaa / lékaatâŋɗyíìŋ
Bikwin-JenJoolenə́ŋ / ee-tʃwü tʃwínwá̰ dwíjì(ì) (calabash)lʌ́ká̰ nw̰á̰hṵ̈̀ḭ̀kùkúmə́ŋkʌ́ / èèkʌ́táŋdzuŋ
Bikwin-JenJòòleJoole Mangabwàà nùbwaa tywibwàà dṵ̀gigiláŋkányuavi (?)kúkúmíkyányááká / nyááká búbáítà̰à̰dumà
Tula-WajaWɪya, Waja, Wajan Kasanuŋètwɪ́yaʊboocunwiibɛnɛnɪyaʊtumàkuugundùsoudənè
Tula-WajaWajaDeeri, Wajan Dutsegɔn niŋipodou / podoru
Tula-WajaKutule, TulaWangekwalaŋɛ / kwalaŋikətɛ́ɛ́lɛ̀ / kətɛ́ɛ́lɪcʊʊn / cʊʊnikunuwaŋ / nǔǔm, tunuriben / beniyii / yiinikʊtʊmkətiyaŋ / tətiinimwɛ̀ / mwɛtitíyaŋ / tíínícáú ~ ʃáúdən / dimbi
Tula-WajaTulaBaulenù / núlkə̀tɛ́ɛ́lɛ̀ / kə̀tɛ́ɛ́lɪ̀sʊ́ʊ́n / sʊ́ʊ́nɪ́, sʊ́ŋə́nkə́núwáŋ / núúm, tə́núribeen / bééniyí / yiiníkʌtùùmkətiyá námáŋ / tətiini náiyémwɛ̀kətíyá / tətíínísaʊ; sa (mwàn)də́n / də́mbí
Tula-WajaTulaYili (Yiri)nuù / nuutokətɛ́ɛ́lɪ / kətɛ́ɛ́nɪ́ʃʊ́ʊ́l / ʃʊ́ʊ́wɪ̀kunuuŋ / nuumbííl / bííwíyii / yiiníkʊtʊʊ̀mkukúkó / tukútómwɛtiyaŋ / tiinicaʊ̀; ca (mwân)diń / dimən
Tula-WajaYebu, Awaknúŋíbwaarásuur ~ sʊʊrnuŋúnbeénnìítuumkuukúmwê; mwɛ̀tiisábduń
Tula-WajaBaŋjiŋe, Bangwinjinuwe / nuwetinituù / tuuníʃóór, cóórnuǹ / nuǹtinibien / bienni ?nyii / nyiinibwiyalɛ̀kúk / kútímwɛ́mtu / tumcâmdén
Tula-WajaDadiyanuu / nuutinlɔɔ̀ljʊlnúŋùnbenníyò / níyétìntʊ́ʊ́mkutomwḛ̂tiyà / tiyàntinjáádùń
Tula-WajaMaa, Kamonúŋékúmócóórnugunbén̄nyiyétʊ́ʊ́mkúúbúmwɛ́nyáŋládágʊ́m (wúrgé)dìń
Tula-WajaDijim, ChamKindiyokʌmɪ / kámtɛsuu; suwoŋjʊ̀r, jʊ̀ʊ̀rnuŋun / nuŋtɛ́lʌŋər / laŋtɛ́nyʷii / nyʷiinidʊ̀gʊ́mkuk / kutehííriyaŋ / riitɛjaudun / duntɛ̀
Tula-WajaBwilim, ChamMɔnanu / nutegetuwaŋ / getuwaitaanù / taantɔ́ʊ́bemnù / bemtounyii / nyiinigə̀mízáà
Tula-WajaTsoSuwabounuŋ / nuntóúwɔɔnʊ́ / wɔɔntáúnyulóónù / nyulóóntùnunu / núntòùlameno / lamtʊ̀nyii / nyiinidɔɔ̀mtsá / tseniláà / laátóútsá / tsenìzadín / díntòù
Tula-WajaTsoGusubonùŋ / nùntùfə̀là / fə̀làànidətəmòròù / tə̀tə̀mòtòùtaanʊ̀ / taantúbéémnó / béémtóúnyii / nyiinitsá / tsenila / latóútsá / tsénìzaàdín / díntú
Tula-WajaTsoBarboudʊ̀mtsá / tsániyìbè / laátóú
isolateJalaa[26] dyiríì / dyitə̂buŋôŋyamə-r / yamə-tatənəm / tənemté̩laŋe̩r / laŋté̩bo̩o̩, bwo̩ / bo̩o̩-níbwiirùmkùsì-gò̩ / -nìógwìì-ràŋ, gwìì-ròŋ / -tè̩mwê̩hâlnuŋ kúlájí; kwáráŋ wò̩gə́n ?
LongudaCerii (Ceriŋ, Banjiram)nyʊ̰lá / nyʊ̰ʔáthʊ́lá / thwíyádɔ́ŋkhá / dɔ́ŋthágàràlá / garádhilimkha / dhilimthanyàkhá / nyàtháthùmákwacalá / kwacáámámáthíká / thímádhàzííndé / zíné
LongudaDeele (Jessu)nyʊ̀ʊ̀là / nyʊ̀ʊ̀lʔàtʊ́là / twáʔàjɔ́ɔ́(ŋ)khà / jɔ́ɔ́(ŋ)thàgaláwa / galáhàdhələ́mkhànyàkàthʊ́mà; surmə̀kukubə́lə̀ / kukubə́ʔə̀mámàthikhàjá, jáʔàjááunla / jááunʔà
LongudaKoola (Thaarʊ)nyʊ̰látʊ́lá / twáʔázɔɔŋkhagàlàwá / gàlàhádələmkanyalá / nyaʔátʊmátsakəbla / tsakəbʔamamathíkázà ; zà nyoomòdəmla / dəmʔá
LongudaWala LungudaGuyuknyuŋláthʊ́wá / thwáájoonkagarala / garaʔa /zilimkhanyakhátumá, thumakwaca, kwacalámámáthíkházindè / zinè
LongudaGwaanda (Nyuwar)nyṵnlazingala / zingaʔajɔ̰ŋkanyile / nyiʔedhilimkanyàkà / nyàthàsirmekwacala / kwacaʔamama, dwaamawaha̰ka / waha̰madháàdzaunla; dziiŋle
LongudaGwaandanyṵlàdzíngálájónkányúlə́dhílímkásúrmá, súrmé ?kwàcàlà / kwàcààmámá, dwàmàwàhàkàdà; thàdzínlə́
Bena-MboiƁəna (Yungur)Dumne núú / nṵ́ṵ́sâgwḛ́ḛ́ / gwḛ́ḛ́métímrá / címtáɗə́fá / ɗə́mtáɗəlmaarà / ɗəlmaatàʔéé / ʔéémékẃadmátə́fá / tə́ptámbraáɓota / nbwecekə́fə́ɗənda / ɗənta
Bena-MboiƁəna (Yungur)Pirambenúú / nṵ́ṵ́śagwe / gwemetímrá / tímtáɗə́mbá / ɗə́mtáɗəlmaarà / ɗəlmaatàʔḛḛ / ʔéémémunmatə́fá / tə́ptámbərá / mbəramsîɓota / nɓétèkə́fə́ɗənda / ɗənta
Bena-MboiVoroWaltaandinúú / núúzagwḛ́ḛ́ / gwḛ́ḛ́métímrá / tímtáɗə́mbá / ɗə́mtáɗəlḿáará / ɗəlḿáatáʔḛḛ / ʔḛ́ḛ́mékẃadmá, mùnmàtə́fá / tə́ptámbráá [muwa ?]ɓòtà / ŋbétékə́fə́ɗə́ndá / ɗə́ntá
Bena-MboiVoroƁéttandikẃadmátə́fá / tə́ptámbra̰a̰ɓòtà / ŋbétékə́fə́ɗə́ndá / ɗə́ntá
Bena-MboiƁəna (Laala)Bodei (Bodwai)nuú / nuujàgwḛḛ / gwḛḛmétimrá / timtá, timtéɗəmbá / ɗəmtáɗə̀lmààrà / ɗə̀lmààtànyḛ́ḛ́ / nyḛ́ḛ́mébòblà / bòbjàtəpa / təutámbrá̰à̰ / mbráámjàɓotá / ngwaatéjeèɗíndá / ɗíntá
Bena-MboiƁəna (Laala)Yangnuú / nùùzàgwɛ̰ɛ̰ / gwɛ̰ɛ̰métìmrá / tìmtíɗimbá / ɗimtáɗilmará / ɗilmaatáḛ̀yḛ́ / ḛ̀yḛ̀mémónmátəfá / tòùtábərà̰à̰ɓotá / ngwbatékəwə́díndá / díntá
Bena-MboiRobma (Laala Roba)nuu / nuuwàgwee / gweemétìmrá / tìmtíɗimbá / ɗimtádilmará / dilmatáḛḛ́ / eḛ́msàmonmatəfá / təfáámsebura / buráámsàɓotá / ngbatésewòdinda / dinta
Bena-MboiMboiGulungoɗəmbó / ɗìmdaaʔəhḛmatəmangɔdɔ́ / angedéndià / ndiidà
Bena-MboiMboiLivonúú / núúźatṵṵ̀ / tṵṵzàifiya / ifitadúmbó / dimtàlemiya / lemtaahʔhi / ʔhimzamatəmatutto / acicémbiyangɔ́tɔ́ / ángétéʒéndíà / ndiità
Bena-MboiMboiHaandanuu / nuuzàtuŋ / atʃw̄irifḛḛrà / rifḛḛtàdúmbó / dimtàleembərà / leemtàahʔhḭ̀ / mbai hímzàmátə́mátúftò / atʃúfèmbraŋbótó / aŋbécèndera / ndərtata
Bena-MboiKaan (Libo)sunu / (sunuḿa)twḭ / twiiḿashimbə́r / shimbətəmátəmbər / təmbərmâɗəlaamíì / ɗəlaamííʔóóʔii / ʔiimmorúmtəfəra / təfətəmábarə̀mmərə̂m / mərəməmázə́ndə̀r / ndərmá
YendangBalitɛ́sɛ́síbíŋwɛ́lɛɲɛ́míɗɛnɛ́kṹɓímò[k]lím
YendangKpashamnúɛ̃́wàswéɲɛ́swɛ́síbíŋwɔ́leɲɛ́mídwínekũ̀bimɔknə̌ŋ
YendangYotidóotóosɔ́ɔ̃́ʃúuwúlɛ̀ɲâdiikúnwímiimòkníŋ
YendangYandangnɔktòkɲánsũrùklɛkaɲǎklekúndĩ̀hĩ̀mogíinaŋ
Mumuye[27] Proto-Mumuye
  • nu-ng, *nung; *gí-ǹg
  • co-V, *coo
  • su-ng, *sung
  • tná-li/-ri
  • ɗè-V/ng-ti
  • nyaa
  • kpa-V̀; *zing, *zi-ng
  • ka (redup.), *kak-V
  • mi-V, *mii, *min ?
  • la-V, *laa
  • caa
  • ríǹg, *rí-ǹg
MumuyeMumuye (Zing)nungshoosungtnárirèétènyaakpaàkakameelaashaaríńg
KamNyiŋɔm (Kam)Din Kamaajinànùŋàkàràmə̀ràkàshàg / àshàgìyoàlímə́níŋwéàkùbmə̀ŋ káŋábàl / bàl yonìm; nəm níì (imp.)
VereJangonɔ́ru / nɔ́ītóŋ / tónnunmíŋ; míŋ̄ / mínnùŋnúúrù / núúimbéélu / mbéīndáŋ̄ / ndántunkpa'arú / kpaˀatɛ́rɛ́ndúkú / rɛ́ndɛ́máŋ / mántúŋrák / ratúrɛɛ kópríírú / rííté
VereJango (Southern)nɔ́ru / nɔ́(t)tímíŋ̄ / mínnùŋnúúrù / núúyìmbéélu / mbéétɛ́ndáŋ̄ / ndántùŋkpààˀru / kpàˀɛrɛɛŋ
VereWerenǒrrōtōn(g)mi(n)(g)nūī (pl.)bēlōdǎ(n)(g)pǎrūgaemām
VereBatəmnɔr / nɔˀtok / toˀmíˀ / miinnúúr / núˀmɛ́ɛ́l / mɛ́ˀtésúˀ / sutkwaal / kwaaˀniŋg / ninmaam / máámə̀t / tɛtrègùm; rɛ̀káríˀír / ríˀtɛ
VereMominɔ̀r / nɔ̀ˀtɔ̀k / tɔ̀ˀˀmii / miinnùùr / nùùˀmeel / meelisuu / suutkpààl / kpaainènk / nènmáàm / máŋ̀bəttè / tètrègùm; rɛ̀ká; rèèkáríír / rííti
VereVɔkbanɔr / nɔˀtitok / torumnik (?)núˀmɛ́lsúˀkòàlnéŋ / néŋtimámtɛˀ / tɛtəregɨmríí
VereWɔmmunɔ́r / núɔ́tór / tóó (tʋ́r)míí / míínenuurə̀/ núútə́míɛ́le / mɛ́ɛ́té ~ míɛ́tédóbʒɩ̀ / dówwikwaalə / kwaasənɛ́ŋkə / nɛ́ntémáámtɛ́ɛ́ / tɛ́tərɛgum kwɔ́úníìr / nííté
VereNissimnɔ́ɔ́l / núɔ́tóól / tɔ́ɔ́tə́míí / míínenúúlə / núútémɛɛ́lə / mɛɛ́tédóbzə/ dóbpekpaalə / kpaateneŋke / neŋtemáám, máám bonúm àmtɛ́ɛ́ / tɛ́təlem kúɔ́; lekəníllə / níttə́
VereEilimnɔ́l / nɔ́ɔ́tól / tóómíí / míímtə̀núúl / núútémɛɛ́l / mɛɛ́tédám / damdereikpaal / kpaatəmám̀tɛ́ɛ̄lem kúɔ́; lekəlíllə / níttə́
VereKobomnɔ́rì / nɔ́ɔ́tókù / tóómí / míímītīnúúrì / nuutemɛ́ɛ́ni / mɛ́tédám / dámtíréímɛɛmnɛ́ŋkù / nɛ́ŋtétɛ́ / tɛ́tiréí; rékɔ́rííri / rííté
VereVɔmnəmnɔr / nɔɔtukò / tuŋbərəmmíì / míìmnuurò / nuutemɛɛlò / mɛɛtesúú / sútòkwaalò / kwaasònɛ́ŋkò / nɛŋtémaàmtɛɛ / tɛɛtərɛm; rɛkòniirò / niite
VereDamtəmnuɔ̀l / nuɔ̀rɛtɔ́l / tɔrɛ, tɔɔtɛmíl / mííténúl / núútemɛl / mɛɛtedám / damtərkpaal / kpaaʃelyɛngə̀ / lɛŋsyɛtii / tiitə̀nʌ́l / nʌʌtə́
VereGəunəm-Yar (Gə-Yarəm)nual / nuarecul / curie, tuuremíəl / míírénúúl / núúrémíál / mɛ́redám / dámdə́kpàal/ kpààsə̀də̀nyáŋsə́l / nyáŋsé, nyáŋgəmámlau / lasəlìní kúə́; lìə̀- kúə́lə́l / lérə
VereGə-Limnual / nuarietúl / túríémíil / míírénuul / nuuriemɛ́rl / mɛ́ɛ́rɛ̄dám / dámdə́kpaal / kpaarienyángə́mámláú / lásə́lìní; lìə̀- kúʌ́lʌl / lʌʌrie
GəmnəmBeiyanol / nootətol / tootəmííl / míítənúŋlə̄ / núŋmɛ́ɛ́l / mɛ́ɛ́tənok / noŋtəmeem / meemtənéngə, nɛ́ngə / néŋzə, nɛ́ŋzəmá:m / máámtə̄téé / teeteliiná ; lìì kɔ́pnííl / níítə
GəmnəmGindoonɔltolmílnɨŋ́ ləmɛ́lnɔkmemnɨŋ́ ə / nɨŋ́ gəmámteˀ/ tetəníl
GəmnəmRiitimenɔ́lé / nɔ́ˀɔ́tólé / tóˀómííle / mííˀelúŋle / lúŋeméle / méˀēnogúsa / nóŋtémēēmēléngo / léŋēmáámē / mámtetéˀé / tétélii kóóplə́lē / lə́ˀə
GəmmeGəmmenólé / nóˀɛ́tólé / tóˀómíhˀle / míhˀieníŋlē / níŋēméhˀle / méhyēyòlé / yòémííméníngē / níŋmēmemˀetéˀé / teˀnēlee lenánímlē / nímē
GəmmeBaanmanɔla / nɔˀɔtoga, toˀga / toˀmamíhla / míˀiníŋla / níŋamɛ́hla / mɛˀɛyòla / yòˀomiima / miimdanɨŋ́ ga / nɨ́ŋmamema / memdateˀɛ/ teˀnalee lenánɨḿ la / nɨḿ a
DoyayoDoyayolɔ¹lɛ¹ ~ yɔ̰¹lɛ¹tɔ̰n¹ɛ¹mḭḭl²; gɔ̰ɔ̰s²ɛ³nuŋ⁴go²mɛlɛ³²ya̰a̰¹yɔ¹ga̰a̰⁴mɛ²lɛ̰ŋ³ko² ~ lɛ̰ŋ²ko³mɛ¹mɛ³tɛ̰ɛ̰¹yɔ¹le², lek¹yɔ¹nuŋ²
Fali[28] Proto-Fali
  • nisu (pl.)
  • tuuyV; *tuuCV
  • unɨ
  • rɛɛŋgu
  • ndʒĩĩmV
  • kopfti
  • sɔɔ-
  • rii-
  • ĩn- (v.)
Mbum[29] Proto-Lakka
  • nún
  • sú-k
  • cɔN-k
  • sˣɛl/ŋ
  • rím
  • nɟá-k
  • sˣɛ́-m
  • hū-t/-k
  • kpə̀(-k)
  • mbì
  • lʳak
  • rìn
Kim[30] Goundondʊɾʊhubavw̃ãlɲu̯aɾɗɛltʃʊmkalmamuradʒamjɛmi
KimBesménduahoɾovũãlhĩjɪmɗelɛmwutʃɔmkaːlmamuradʒʊ̝mdĩː
KimKimKosopndʷaɾatogorvɔ̝̃rkĩj̃arɗɛlwak ̚ sɔmakalmamʔwaɾazadĩːl
Day[31] Daynɔ́nsɔ́gmbúrngììlélì/lélè/lèènāmdémbō̰ʔémmīɲ-rì, lāàjōō
Bua[32] Proto-Bua
  • diil; *ʔiil
  • to(l)(-)
  • fo̰/ḛl/ɲ(-) ?
  • nii(-); *ɲ- ?
  • l₁el(-)
  • mu/i
  • s₂e/um(-) / *s₂ḛr-
  • te/o(l/g-)
  • l₂i/um(-); *me/on- ?
  • l₁e; *tu(y)
  • l₂iil
isolate[33] Laalmɨla / mɨnísɨ̀gál / sɨ̀gɨ́ypən / -yàmál / yèmímal / mə̀líyəwəl / -suna / -kòːg / kuagmimiàdál / miàr ~ miariɲsu / sùgákaw / kɨw; ɲag / ɲɨg; guru / guru; cíd / cídmeːl / -

Numerals

Comparison of numerals in individual languages:

Classification Language 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Kam bīmbīnī / bĩ̄ jīrāɡ tʃàr ǹdār ŋ̀wūn dʒùb (lit: six) dʒùbjī̄rāɡ (lit: six-two) sár ɲǐzā bò°
Kwa Kwa (Baa) (1) nùnkò nɨ̀nk͡péː nùmwāːn nɨ̀nàːtˢ nɨ̀núː nɨ̀nwén nɨ̀nkũ̀ (5+1) nɨ̀nwâːk͡péː (5+2) nùnfwa᷆ːfwātˢ nùnkwótˢ lá nùnkò (10-1) nùnkwótˢ
Kwa Kwa (Baa) (2) nə́ nkú nə́ ɡbéè nə mwáàn nə̀ nàt nə núú nə nwíya kũ̀, nə nwíyá nùkũ̀ (5+1) nə nwíyá ɡbéè (5+ 2) fɔ̀fɔ̀t nukút lánùkù (10 - 1) nukút
Waja-Jen, Longuda Longuda (1) laatwɛ̀ nààkwɛ̃́ nààtsə́r nèénnyìr nàànyɔ́ tsààtə̀n ínéényìr inààtsə́r (4 + 3 ?) nyíítìn énàànyɔ́ ínéényìr (5 + 4 ?) koo; kù (Zabe)
Waja-Jen, Longuda Longuda (2) naakhal naaashir naakwáí naanyìr nàànyó nakhínàkwáí nyinakwáí nyíthìn nyinannyó nɔ̂m
Waja-Jen, Yungur, Libo wunú rɑ̀ɑ̀p tɑɑrə́n kuurún wɔɔnɔ́n woné wunu woné rɑɑp woné tɑɑrə́n woné kuurún kutún
YungurFinni F`itti tahkin kuurún wɔɔnɔ́n minn`dike bu`uttu kunk`urun woné kuurún buh
Waja-Jen, Jen kwín ráb ɡ͡bunuŋ net nóob naaʃín nááre nátát ninit ʃóób
Waja-Jen, Jen tsɨnɡ bwənɡ / bwayunɡ bwatə bwanyə bwahmə hwĩtsɨnɡ (5+ 1) hwĩyunɡ (5+ 2) hwĩtə (5+ 3) hwĩnyə (5+ 4) bwahywə
Waja-Jen, Waja, Awak Awak (1) díːn yɔ́rɔ́b kunúŋ náː fwáːd yidíkúún (kúún) yidibírr (bírr) naríb tuːrkúb kɔ́b
Waja-Jen, Waja, Awak Awak (2) díːn yɔ́rɔ́b kunúŋ náː fwáːd kúún / yidíkúún bírr / yidibírr naríb tuːrkúb kɔ́b
Waja-Jen, Waja, Cham-Mona kwan su̠ bwanbí ɡwár nu̠ nukún nyibi naru̠ wurwin kwu̠
Waja-Jen, Waja, Dadiya wiǹ yo tal nal nu nukuǹ ni̠bi̠l nááli̠b tí̠lku̠b ku̠b
Waja-Jen, Waja, Tula Bangunji (Bangwinji) (1) wìn yóp, yɔ́b táát náát núŋ núkùn nibir, nibeet naarùb teet kpóp, kwáb
Waja-Jen, Waja, Tula Bangunji (Bangwinji) (2) win yob taar naar nuŋ nukɡun niber naarub teer kwab
Waja-Jen, Waja, Tula wìːn júrau jítːà jáːnà júnù júrùkùn jídìbìn nárɨ̀bú túrkùbú kúb
Waja-Jen, Waja, Tula ɡɛɛn rɔɔp kunoŋ nɩɩ nuwo nokono nibíyo wunii tɔɔrɔ kwáp
Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Dii dáɡá idú tããnɔ́ ndaddʉ́ (2 x 2) ? nɔ́nɔ́ ɡúú ɡúndɛm ('ndɛm' means odd member) kaʔandaddʉ́ (2 x 4) kɛ́ɡdáɡá (' one finger is left ') wãnɓóʔ
Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Dii dáɡá irú tããnó ndaró (2 x 2) ? sáá ɡúú ɡútamme kaʔandadró (2 x 4) kɛ́ɡdáɡá (' one finger is left ') bōʔ
Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Dii dáŋɡá ittó tããtó nattó sáá ɡúú ɡútambe kaʔandaró (2 x 4) /naarúpa kɛ́rdáŋɡá (' one finger is left ') bòʔ
Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Voko-Dowayo, Kutin də́ə iro tããro naro núuno nóndə́ə də́msàrà dàaɡò (from Hausa ?) ɡĩ̀ĩdə́ə (' one finger is left ' ?) fób
Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Voko-Dowayo, Vere-Dowayo, Dowayo ɡbúnú éérɛ́ taarɛ násɔ noonɛ́ nɔ̀ɔnɡbúnú (5 + 1) nɔ̀ɔnéérɛ́ (5 + 2) nɔ̀ɔntaarɛ (5 + 3) / ɡẽẽse nɔ̀ɔnnásɔ (5 + 4) / nàanzâ kooblɛ
Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Voko-Dowayo, Vere-Dowayo, Vere-Gimme, Gimme Gimme (Gəmme) (1) wɔɔna ítìɡè taaɡè náàɡè nɔɔnɨ̀ɡe nɔnɡe nɔʔitiɡè dàɡwà nɨ́ŋsɨ́nè kób
Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Voko-Dowayo, Vere-Dowayo, Vere-Gimme, Gimme Gimme (Kampara) (2) wɔɔna idtiɡè taaɡè náàɡè nɔɔnɨ̀ɡè nɔnɡè nɔʔidtiɡè dāɡwà (probably from Hausa) nɨ́ŋ̀sɨ́nè kób
Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Voko-Dowayo, Vere-Dowayo, Vere-Gimme, Vere Gə́mnə́m (1) mani tɛk taarək náárə́k nɔɔnɔ̀k nɔɔ waŋɡə náárə́k àp tāārə̀k (4 + 3 ?) náárə́k àp náárə́k (4 + 4 ?) náárə́k àp nɔɔnɔ̀k (4 + 5 ?) kóp
Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Voko-Dowayo, Vere-Dowayo, Vere-Gimme, Vere Vɔmnəm (2) màn ètên tāán nānnò ɡbà náárò ɡbāāsə̀ mâl ɡbāāsə̀ ètên ɡbāāsə̀ táān ɡbāāsə̀ nānnà kòmnā
Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Voko-Dowayo, Vere-Dowayo, Vere-Gimme, Vere muzoz ɪ̀ttə́z tàáz náz ɡbanáá bámbə́z ɡbánsá sàmsaara píttámúzo (10 - 1 ?) kòmna
Leko-Nimbari, Duru, Voko-Dowayo, Voko wə́ŋ̄ŋá sittó tããbó nabbó nɔ̃ɔ̃mó sáámɛ sã́rã́ŋŋá nàànuśudɛ̂; nàándɛ dɛ́ɛ́ɡínnaaɡɔ́ lɛǹnaaɡbɔ̀ŋ́; lɛnnaaḿ, lɛnaań
Leko-Nimbari, Leko níiá innú toonú nɛɛrəb núnnub núŋɡɔ́ɔs núŋ innú (5 + 2) núŋ toonú (5 + 3) núŋ nɛɛrəb (5 + 4) kôb
Leko-Nimbari, Leko nɨ́ŋa iirà toorà naarà núúnà nɔ̂ŋɡɔ̂s nɨ̂ŋsinà dàɡwà daanɨ̂ŋne (' one is left ') kóp
Leko-Nimbari, Mumuye-Yandang, Mumuye ɡbétè ziti taːti dɛ̃̀ːtì mǎːni máŋɡbétè (5+ 1) mánziti (5+ 2) mántaːti (5+ 3) mándɛ̃̀ːtì (5+ 4) kopi
Leko-Nimbari, Mumuye-Yandang, Yandang ɓini iye taat naat nɔng niɓini (5+ 1) niaiye (5+ 2) nitaat (5+ 3) ninaat (5+ 4) kop
Leko-Nimbari, Mumuye-Yandang, Yandang ɓíní ʔíè tátˢ nātˢ nɔ̃́ŋ nāɓíní (5+ 1) nāk͡píē (5+ 2) nātáts (5+ 3) nānāts (5+ 4) kópʰ
Fali k͡pòlò cúk /tʃʊ́k tàːn náːn / nʌ́ːn kɛ̃rɛ̃w yìɾá ɟɔ̀ɾɔ́s nàn nán kʌ̀ntɛ́ŋ / ŋɡʌskum ɾá
Mbum-Day, Bua ɓúdū ndīdí tērí ɲɛ̄ní lùní táːr lòŋɡɔ̄ twāːɲɛ̄ní dòsó < Bagirmi dokome
Mbum-Day, Bua sèlì àrī àtā ànā àlōnī nānò lúlú kɔ̀ntā̰ àtī kùtù
Mbum-Day, Bua sa:dʊŋ ɾisːi toːɾi naːsɪ tɛ bɛ sa:dʊŋ (5 + 1) tɛ bɛ ɾisːi (5 + 2) tɛ bɛ toːɾi (5 + 3) tɛ bɛ naːsɪ (5 + 4) filoːle
Mbum-Day, Day nɡɔ̄ŋ́ dīí ndà sɛ̄rì sɛ̄rì mòn bīyām tà (probably 'four three') pārārā bór sōŋ rə́ nɡɔ̄ŋ́ ('lacking one') mò̰
Mbum-Day, Kim mōndā / mbírāŋ tʃírí hā̰sī ndày ndìyārá mānɡùl ɗīyārā ndāsì nòmīnā wàl
Mbum-Day, Kim ɗú ndà nūwḛ̄y mènènɡāl ɓēálā / ɓēálār tīmāl / wázìzí (10 - 2) làmāɗō / wázìɗú (10 - 1) wòl
Mbum-Day, Mbum, Southern mbìyə̀w sérè sāy nìŋ ndībī zèy zīndɔ́kɔ̀ sāy (10 - 3) zīndɔ́kɔ̀ sérè (10 - 2) zīndɔ́kɔ̀ mbìyə̀w (10 - 1) bōó
Mbum-Day, Mbum, Northern, Tupuri-Mambai bóm ɓàtì bìsáʕ bìnã̀ʕ bìzépḛ́ bìɡírò tàrnã́ɡà fwàrnã́ɡà / wàr séʕnã́ fàɡ͡bàʕŋ ɓàtì sêʕbóm / wàr séʕnã́ fàɡ͡bàʕŋ bóm zóɗôm / séʕnã́ kíríb
Mbum-Day, Mbum, Northern, Tupuri-Mambai bɔ̈ɔ̄ŋ / böŋɛ̄ (full form) ɓɔ̀ɡë sùwàʔä nàa dūwēe hïiráʔä rënām nènmàʔä kàawàʔä hùwàlë
Mbum-Day, Mbum, Eastern Mbum, Karang mbéw séɗè sāy nìŋ ndīɓī tɔ́tɔ́klɔ́ tòŋ ndɔ́k sāy [remains (in) hands 3] tòŋ ndɔ́k séɗè [remains (in) hands 2] tòŋ ndɔ́k mbéw[remains (in hands 1] bǒh
Mbum-Day, Mbum, Eastern Mbum, Karang mbíew sère sày nìŋ ndiɓi zèe zì ndɔ́kɔ sày (10 - 3) zì ndɔ́kɔ sère (10 - 2) zì ndɔ́kɔ mbíew (10 - 1) ɓoo
Mbum-Day, Mbum, Eastern Mbum, Koh mbí̧à̧w / mbí̧ẁ síɗè sāy nìŋ ndēɓē yíè /íyè tò nɔ́ sāy (10 - 3) tò nɔ́ síɗè (10 - 2) tò nɔ́ mbí̧à̧w (10 - 1) dùɔ

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Hammarström, Harald and Guillaume Segerer. 2021. Computational experiments in Adamawa sub-classification. Diedrich Westermann-Workshop (West-central African linguistic history between Macro-Sudan Belt and Niger-Congo: commemorating Diedrich Westermann’s legacy and the 100th anniversary of the Berlin professorship for African languages), 4–6 November 2021, Humboldt University of Berlin.
  2. Book: Greenberg, Joseph H.. 1963. africa. The Languages of Africa. Bloomington. Indiana University Press. (Heavily revised version of Greenberg 1955. From the same publisher: second, revised edition, 1966; third edition, 1970. All three editions simultaneously published at The Hague by Mouton & Co.)
  3. Boyd, Raymond. 1989. Adamawa-Ubangi. In Bendor-Samuel, John (ed.), The Niger-Congo Languages: A Classification and Description of Africa's Largest Language Family, 178-215. Lanham MD, New York & London: University Press of America.
  4. Book: Güldemann, Tom. The Languages and Linguistics of Africa. Güldemann. Tom. De Gruyter Mouton. Historical linguistics and genealogical language classification in Africa. 2018. 978-3-11-042606-9. 10.1515/9783110421668-002. Berlin. 58–444. The World of Linguistics series. 11.
  5. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2019. Adamawa Language Groups. Adamawa Languages Project.
  6. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2014. Tula-Waja comparative wordlist (Swadesh 100). (1995 field notes.) Adamawa Languages Project.
  7. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2014. Tula-Waja pronouns and numbers. Adamawa Languages Project.
  8. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2014. Bikwin-Jen Pronouns and Numbers 1-10. Adamawa Languages Project.
  9. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2015. Some notes on Nyiŋɔm (aka Nyingwom or Kam). (2011 field notes.) Adamawa Languages Project.
  10. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2014. Longuda ~ Nʋngʋra wordlist (Swadesh 100). Adamawa Languages Project.
  11. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2014. Longuda Pronouns and Numbers. Adamawa Languages Project.
  12. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 1993. Baa Wordlist (Swadesh 100). Adamawa Languages Project.
  13. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2014. Baa pronouns and numbers. Adamawa Languages Project.
  14. Blench, Roger; Barau Kato; Zachariah Yoder. 2009. The Maya (Yendang) languages.
  15. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2015. Gimme-Vere-Doyayo wordlists. Adamawa Languages Project.
  16. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2015. Vere wordlists. Adamawa Languages Project.
  17. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2014. Ɓəna-Mboi comparative wordlist (Swadesh 100). Adamawa Languages Project.
  18. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2014. Ɓəna-Mboi pronouns and numbers. Adamawa Languages Project.
  19. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 1992 [2014]. Evidence of noun classes in languages of the Yungur group. Adamawa Languages Project.
  20. Kastenholz, Raimund; Ulrich Kleinewillinghöfer. 2012. Nimbari as a language name. Adamawa Languages Project.
  21. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2014. Adamawa. ‘Linguistisches Kolloquium’, Seminar für Afrikawissenschaften, 04 Februar 2014. Institut für Asien- und Afrikawissenschaften, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
  22. Blench, Roger. 2012. Niger-Congo: an alternative view.
  23. Ayotte, Michael and Charlene Ayotte. 2002. Sociolinguistic language survey of Dama, Mono, Pam, Ndai and Oblo. SIL International.
  24. Russell. Norton. Nlabephee. Othaniel. The Jen language cluster: A comparative analysis of wordlists. Language in Africa . 1. 3. 2020. 17–99. 10.37892/2686-8946-2020-1-3-17-99. free.
  25. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2015. Bikwin-Jen Comparative wordlist (Swadesh 100). (1995 field notes.) Adamawa Languages Project.
  26. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2001. Jalaa - An Almost Forgotten Language of Northeastern Nigeria: A Language Isolate. In Nurse, Derek (ed.), Historical Language Contact in Africa, 239-271. Cologne: Rüdiger Köppe.
  27. Shimizu, Kiyoshi (1979). A Comparative Study of the Mumuye Dialects (Nigeria). Marburger Studien zur Afrika- und Asienkunde. A-14. Berlin: Verlag von Dietrich Reimer.
  28. Sweetman, Gary. 1981. A comparative study of Fali dialects. Yaoundé: SIL.
  29. Boyd, Raymond. 1974. Étude Comparative dans le groupe Adamawa. (Société d'études linguistiques et anthropologiques de France, 46.) Paris: Centre National de la Récherche Sciéntifique.
  30. Roberts, James. 1999. Goundo: langue tchadienne en voie d'extinction. In Travaux de linguistique Tchadienne, 1-13. N'Djaména, Tchad: N'Djamena: Université de N'Djamena.
  31. Nougayrol, Pierre. 1980. Le Day de Bouna (Tchad), II: Lexique Day-Français, Index Français-Day. Société d'Études Linguistiques et Anthropologiques de France, 77-78. Paris: Centre National de la Récherche Sciéntifique.
  32. Boyeldieu, Pascal. n.d. Proto-boua . Manuscript. Paris: Langage, Langues et Cultures d’Afrique (LLACAN), Centre National de la Récherche Sciéntifique (CNRS).
  33. Lionnet, Florian. n.d. Laal Swadesh list . Manuscript. Paris: Langage, Langues et Cultures d’Afrique (LLACAN), Centre National de la Récherche Sciéntifique (CNRS).