West Teke language explained

West Teke
States:Republic of Congo, Gabon
Ethnicity:Teke, Bongo Pygmies
Dateprefix:ca.
Date:2000
Ref:e18
Speakers2:(some figures undated)
Familycolor:Niger-Congo
Fam2:Atlantic–Congo
Fam3:Benue–Congo
Fam4:Bantoid
Fam5:Bantu (Zone B)
Fam6:Nzebi (B.50)
(traditionally Teke, B.70)
Lc1:tyi
Ld1:Tsaayi
Lc2:lli
Ld2:Laali
Lc3:iyx
Ld3:Yaa
Lc4:tyx
Ld4:Tyee (Kwe)
Guthrie:B.73
Glotto:west2969
Glottoname:West Kasai-Ngounie

West Teke is a Bantu language spoken in the Republic of Congo and Gabon.

West Teke is a dialect continuum. The varieties are Tsaayi (Ge-Tsaya, Tyaye, Tsayi), Laali, Yaa (Yaka), and Tyee (Tee, Kwe). The dominant variety by far is Tsaayi.