Kalabari language explained

Kalabari
Nativename:Ibani–Kalabari–Kirike
States:Nigeria
Region:Rivers State
Ethnicity:Kalabari, Ibani
Date:1989–1995
Ref:e18
Familycolor:Niger-Congo
Fam2:Ijoid
Fam3:Ijaw
Fam4:East
Dia1:Kalabari
Dia3:Ibani (Bonny)
Lc1:ijn
Ld1:Kalabari
Lc2:iby
Ld2:Ibani
Lc3:okr
Ld3:Kirike
Glotto:kaki1246
Glottorefname:KaKiBa
Elp2:7931
Elpname2:Kirike

Kalabari is an Ijo language of Nigeria spoken in Rivers State and Bayelsa State by the Awome people.[1] Its three dialects are mutually intelligible. The Kalabari dialect (Kalabari proper) is one of the best-documented varieties of Ijo, and as such is frequently used as the prime example of Ijo in linguistic literature.

As of 2005, the language, "spoken by 258,000 people, [was] endangered largely because of the massive relocation that has taken place in the area due to the development of Nigeria's oil industry in the Port Harcourt region."[2]

Berbice Creole Dutch, a recently extinct Dutch Creole formerly spoken in Eastern Guyana, was spoken by descendants of Kalabari speakers. The African element in Berbice Dutch is predominantly Kalabari in origin.[3]

Kalabari-language words have been proposed for some modern technical terms.[4]

Dialects

Kalabari is spoken south of Port Harcourt.

Ibani is spoken southeast of Port Harcourt, in the Bonny local government area and in Opobo.

Kirike is spoken in Port Harcourt and the local government areas of Okrika and Ogu–Bolo.

Writing system

a
b d ef g gb ghgw h i jk kp kw l mn nw ny o p r s t uv w y z
a
b ch de f ggb gw h i j k kp kw lm n ñ nw nyo p r st u v wy z

See also

References

Works cited

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kalahari Bibi: Introducing The Kalabari Language. 2013-06-15.
  2. Web site: 2006 Funded Projects. Endangered Language Fund. 2013-06-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20130815055155/http://www.endangeredlanguagefund.org/ll_projects_2006.php. 2013-08-15. dead.
  3. Encyclopedia: Ijoid languages. Encyclopædia Britannica. 2013-06-15.
  4. 5. 1. 154–163. Iyalla-Amadi. Priye E.. Lexicological Development of Kalabari Language in the Age of Technology: A Comparative Study of French and Kalabari. The Journal of Pan African Studies. 2013-06-15. March 2012.