the kwaŊ language of central nigeria and its … wordlist paper...the kwaŊ language of central...
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THE KWAŊ LANGUAGE
of
CENTRAL NIGERIA AND ITS AFFINITIES
[DRAFT CIRCULATED FOR COMMENT -NOT FOR CITATION WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE AUTHOR
Roger Blench 8, Guest Road, Cambridge CB1 2AL United Kingdom Voice/Answerphone 00-44-(0)1223-560687 Mobile 00-44-(0)7967-696804 E-mail [email protected] http://rogerblench.info/RBOP.htm
This printout: September 5, 2007
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................... 1 2. LOCATION, HISTORY AND SOCIOLINGUISTIC SITUATION ...................................................... 1
2.1 Nomenclature .........................................................................................................................................................1 2.2 Location and settlements.......................................................................................................................................1 2.3 Language status......................................................................................................................................................1 2.4 Kwàŋ culture and history......................................................................................................................................1
3. PHONOLOGY ............................................................................................................................................ 2 3.1 Vowels .....................................................................................................................................................................2 3.2 Consonants .............................................................................................................................................................3 3.3 Tones .......................................................................................................................................................................3
4. MORPHOLOGY......................................................................................................................................... 3 4.1 Nouns.......................................................................................................................................................................3
GLOSS ............................................................................................................................................................. 3 5. KWÀŊ WORDLIST ................................................................................................................................... 4 REFERENCES.............................................................................................................................................. 26
TABLES Table 1. Kwaŋ musical instruments and dances................................................................................................ 2
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1. Introduction This is an annotated wordlist of the Kwàŋ language, spoken in Jàn[n]eret village in Plateau State, Nigeria. The wordlist was collected by Barau Kato in Kwanka on 16 May 2006. The informants were Garba Shehu Banyala, Village Head aged 65, Alhaji Abdu Ali, Ali Lezak (80 years, the main informant); and Gadi Istifanus assisted me where I couldn’t get the correct tones and pronunciation from Ali Lezak. The transcription must therefore be regarded as preliminary. This analysis was prepared by Roger Blench, who added the comparative observations. This document is being circulated to scholars for comment. 2. Location, history and sociolinguistic situation The Kwaŋ first migrated from Ampaŋ East and settled at Kaduŋ from where they moved to Gùmsɔk, and then Kwàŋ to Jàn[n]eret. It was from here that they started spreading to other places. 2.1 Nomenclature The name ‘Kwanka’ is a Hausa form of the actual name which is Kwàŋ. The traditional title of the paramount ruler is ‘Rùmà.’ 2.2 Location and settlements The main settlements of the Kwàŋ are Càmpàk, Kwànkà, Làrkà, Bùkòʃì, Wùyà, Gileŋ, Kùmbùl, Kaduŋ, Wùʃìmà, ɗəkdèy, Kwándarì, Rɔk, Jàrkàn, Dùfyàm, Mícìji etc. They are found in Pankshin and Mangu local government areas of Plateau State, and some few are found in Tafawa Balewa in Bauchi state. The ancestral home of the Kwàŋ is Kaduŋ before they migrated to some other areas mentioned above. Presently, it is the Ngas who are occupying Kaduŋ with a few of the Kwàŋ still residing there. Neighbouring languages include Mwaghavul, Ngas, Pyem and Fulani. 2.3 Language status There is no any written document of the language as far as I know. Closely related languages include: Bijim, Boi and Legeri. The language has not been affected by Hausa because the younger generation can be seen speaking the language fluently. 2.4 Kwàŋ culture and history Marriage There are various types of marriages among the Kwàŋ. There is the one they refer to as ‘kyɛlà.’ This is where parents of a boy do the engagement of a female at birth. ‘Gànì’, a bangle will be given to the parents of the girl and when it is accepted, then they know that their son will marry the girl when she grows up. Also, every year, the boy and his friends will go and till the ground for the girl’s parents.
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From now on, the boy’s parents will continue to send foodstuffs to the girl’s parents until she is grown up and ready for marriage. When it is time, the boy and his friends will have to elope with the girl, but where there is resistance from the girl, they will have to use force. The leopard is revered by the Kwàŋ people. Whenever a leopard is caught during a hunting expedition, there is going to be a great ceremony. The leopard’s corpse will be taken to the paramount ruler’s palace for blessing. It will be taken round to be shown to all the traditional heads and then the Pyem people. The reason for showing it to the Pyemgiji is because of their close affinity. The meat of the leopard will then be shared amongst the main villages. This is a sign of cooperation and unity. Traditional regalia and beliefs The paramount ruler of the Kwàŋ wears a red cap ‘àgyəgyaw’. The chief is the custodian of all religious activities and beliefs. The Kwàŋ believe in a supreme being whom they call ‘vìmátɔr’, but the only way to approach him is through small gods. The way to get to talk to ‘vìmátɔr’ was through food cooked and given to people. The food will be kept in a secluded place and the way to know that ‘vìmátɔr’ has answered the prayers, is to see the place empty. But if the food is left there, it means that the prayers has not been answered, and the process repeated again. There are various types of traditional dances and these are shown in Table 1:
Table 1. Kwaŋ musical instruments and dances ŋgùŋdyàŋ cornstalk pipes ɓɛl horn bùskùr dancing round and singing kàmàs dancing round using big & small drums ŋgɔrɔ dance of the first rains namùnájàgha initiation rites (circumcision) ì for harvest (women only) dáci beginning of dry season ŋgámcìki during August
3. Phonology The phonology of Kwàŋ is based on rapid observations and should therefore be regarded as tentative at this stage. 3.1 Vowels Kwàŋ probably has seven phonemic vowels;
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Front Central Back Close i u Close-Mid e (ə) o Open-Mid ɛ ɔ Open a
The status of the /´/ is uncertain, and it is probably a centralised allophone of /i/. For the present it is transcribed as heard. 3.2 Consonants Kwàŋ consonants are as follows: Bilabial Labio-
dental Alve- olar
Alveo- palatal
Palatal Velar Labial-velar
Glottal
Plosive p b t d [c] j k g (kp) Nasal m n ŋ Trill [r] Fricative f v s z ʃ ʒ ɣ h Approximant y w Lateral Approximant
l
Implosive ɓ ɗ 3.3 Tones 4. Morphology 4.1 Nouns
Gloss sg. pl.
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5. Kwàŋ wordlist The words are classified in sections as; Nouns Pronouns Verbs Numerals Adjectives Other NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 1. Tree (generic) gɔnì kìgɔnì cf. Kulu í-kɔŋ , Izere kâkɔn, Hasha iko,
Shall kun, Sur kon, Yangkam koon, Tarok akún ‘firewood’. This root is widespread in Niger-Congo, often meaning ‘firewood’.
2. Leaf kìfwàŋ àfwàŋ cf. Ningye mbaŋ, 3. Root līŋ ālīŋ cf. Cara liNga, Berom rwìnís, Ningye
ryiŋ, Fyem líŋ pl. ɓaliŋ, Tarok alìŋ, Pe liŋ pl. a-liŋ. A PWS root
4. Branch àlàŋgà àlàŋgáme 5. Bark (of tree) púr apur 6. Thorn rèk àrèk 7. Grass (generic) vì ví cf. Təsu bini, Westerman (310) cites #-pi
as a PWS root 8. Vine (generic) njìrì ànjìrì 9. Mushroom sùkimí 10. Water-lily làkátàr
màmìn
11. Algae jàkàt 12. Seed/stone/pip bìgyɛt bígyɛt 13. Charcoal kàl kál cf. Berom hwalaŋ, Tarok akál, Bu ikə@la. 14. Dust bùrùŋ cf. , Tarok mɓwáŋ Sur buruŋ, Berom
bwúm, Iten abùŋ, Kulu ge-mpuŋ+ 15. Ashes dòrì 16. Rubbish-heap kìbùrà cf. Sur kuburi, 17. Mud kì’em cf. Sur kimi, Tarok amè 18. Clay dàɓòràk cf. Tarok aɓér 19. Dew mɛ cf. Hasha eme, Ningye mmeŋ, Rukul
mmaŋ, Tarok ìmìmyàŋ, Yaŋkam myaŋ, also Mambiloid but going back to Niger-Congo #me-
20. Stone tar atar cf. Toro tari, Ce kI-táɪ, Shall tiri, Niger-Congo root #ta-
21. Sand syɛ cf. Tarok ashíshirí, Pe aʃiʃey, Yaŋkam ʃyar,
22. Smoke njík cf. Yeskwa u-ʃɔ, Kulu ìnci, Ce ɪncI, Ningye ntEŋ, Bu EntE, Berom kyéŋ,
23. Fire rù’à 24. Water min
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 25. Rain wúr cf. Ce àwɔrɔ, Bu iwulu, Ningye wɔrʃu 26. Cloud kɔrɔk 27. Lightning ɲàrànà 28. Rainy Season kùkɔs cf. Anib úkós, 29. Dry season kàr 30. Harmattan kpùrì 31. Year yèè 32. Today ɓàrì 33. Yesterday beleŋ 34. Tomorrow nàs 35. Morning ʃíyì 36. Evening ryɛn 37. Dawn hárkiryɛn 38. Day vìɓàrì 39. Night bìbì vìvì ?? 40. Moon/month pee cf. Yeskwa ufe, Ce I$-hɛl, Mada hw´@,
Berom pwE#l, Rukul u-fye, Fyem fyél, Bo fye, but an old Niger-Congo root. Also Ron, Sha, Kulere #fen though probably a loan into Chadic.
41. Sun vì 42. Star(s) mar cf. Sur mat, 43. Wind wù cf. Shall wu, Irigwe uwú, Kulu u-wùrù,
Fyem wùl, 44. God vìmátɔr 45. Sky tɔr 46. World pàrandi 47. Ground ndàg’àl 48. Large River ndwàra dɛŋ 49. Stream fwàndara cf. Sur bwɔndɔr, 50. Lake, pond kìwur cf. Tarok ìwá 51. Forest àyàksàgɔnì 52. Mountain ʃiʃ aʃiʃ 53. Hill tùtùrà àtùtùrà 54. Bush kijɛn 55. Farm d’yɛn àdyɛn 56. Field dwàl àdwàl 57. Market* 58. Compound lɔg alɔg 59. Room ʃì àʃì 60. Wall (of room) lâr alara
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 61. Thatch roof lɔg màvì alɔga màvì 62. Granary ʃɛn àʃɛn cf. Sur besɔŋ, 63. Well wur kàmìn 64. Road ʃù 65. Path jɛp míʃù 66. Village/settlement jɛp mapal 67. River-bank ŋgor
kadwàra
68. Swamp/wetland lawu alawu 69. Place ara cf. Sur ri, Pe uru pl. aru 70. Person/people sum asuma 71. Man mòrɔm àmòrɔm cf. Yaŋkam nyirum, 72. Woman yì aya 73. Child fàn àmàn cf. Yaŋkam ‘children’ munda, Tesu
amɛrɛ, Tikar mwãẽ, Jaku mín, Bapi mwɛ@n, Degema ɔ@mɔ@. Also Chadic: Wangday min, Geji mil,
74. Husband dìmà lɔg àdàmà lɔg 75. Wife yímarɔŋ ayamarɔŋ 76. Widow yìkùmàk ayíkùmàk 77. Young man zàlàŋ àzàlàŋ 78. Young girl fàyì àwàyì 79. Old person ʃɛrimísúm aʃɛrí 80. Father adiyɛ 81. Mother áníyɛ 82. Barren woman akúr cf. Sur suɣur, 83. Relations zyɛŋ azyɛŋ 84. Ancestors ádimurma 85. Grandparents mááyíl
ádìmìn
86. Grandchild 87. Brother zɛmin ázàmìn 88. Sister ázɛmin nzɛŋgamin 89. Friend màrmin ámàrmìn 90. Guest/stranger ʃɛn àʃɛn cf. Sur ʒin, Tarok ùnìmcìn (where ùnìm is
‘person’), Fyem cen. A root #kyin- goes back to Proto-Atlantic-Congo (PWN 129). cf. LC sɛn.
91. King/chief/ruler ɽú àraw 92. Hunter mùpàr ámùpàr 93. Thief kɔs ákɔs
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 94. Doctor múgwà’aŋàl ámúgwà’aŋàl 95. Witch mùgubwɔk 96. Corpse pun ápun 97. Blacksmith múgúlan ámúgúlan 98. Woodworker músèpsa ámúsèpsa 99. Slave kwàrì àkwàrì 100. Masquerade I njaŋa y 101. Masquerade II wàŋkàŋ áwàŋkàŋ 102. Masquerade III áwá’ŋân 103. Masquerade IV áfwári 104. Prophesy mùɓyɛ ámùɓyɛ 105. Shame ndò 106. Fear/fright wá 107. Bravery/courage swàmaɗó 108. Laughter múʃiʃìlá ámáʃiʃìlá 109. Wisdom mulɛŋ’à 110. Guilt wa 111. Anger pùlà 112. Race/running sòmà 113. Suffering vu m 114. Death kwà cf. Sur ku, Tarok ìkú. Niger-Congo #ku 115. Name sàk àsàk 116. Grave nwaŋgárákún áwáŋgárákún 117. Song ndùr ándùr 118. Proverb dòlmanúŋ ádòlmanúŋ 119. Story nuŋ-máʃɛrá ánuŋ-máʃɛrá 120. Word nuŋ ánuŋ cf. Tarok anùŋ ‘mouth’ 121. Lie ɓyɛt 122. News ʃɛràmanuŋ áʃɛràmanuŋ Tarok ʃét ‘narrate’ 123. Hunger kɔm 124. Horn gɔt ágɔt 125. Tail ʃɔl áʃɔl cf. Sur kuʃol, Tarok aswál 126. Egg ʃɛbí áʃɛbí Tarok acì 127. Wing kwàŋgá ákwàŋgá 128. Beak nuŋ-miɲɛn ánuŋ-miɲɛn 129. Nest gùrkàɲɛn ágùrkàɲɛn 130. Feather nzùna ázùna 131. Gum/glue ndúr ádúr 132. Ant-hill dán ádán 133. Hole in ground wàŋ áwàŋ Tarok awàŋgáŋ ‘gorge’ 134. Hole in tree ɓɔrɔn àbɔrɔn Tarok abəŋ
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 135. Smell ŋgwàl 136. Poison ŋgàl also name for medicine, Tarok akàl and
many other Plateau cognates 137. Load lùŋ àlùŋ 138. Bundle bànàme 139. Firewood gɔnì-mírwà àgɔnì-mírwà 140. Stick kwap akwap 141. Yam-heap lɛm-mà-gùrtà àlɛm-mà-gùrtà 142. War rɔm 143. Work tɔm àtɔm NC root #tom- 144. Divination (types) dyɛŋ 145. Medicine
(generic) ŋgàl àŋgàl cf. Sur gal, Pe u-kali
146. Money ʃɛm ʃɛm cf. Sur giʒam, 147. Shadow wùrkì àwùrkì cf. Sur wuri, Pe wurok 148. Thing wùm àwùm 149. Strength sɔtɔn sɔtɔna 150. Length kɔbà 151. Land/country dà’àl 152. Sleep mwàr 153. Disease(generic) kwà akwa 154. Smallpox gyɛr-mɛŋ Tarok mmɨm 155. Diarrhoea jìrà-má-bàsì 156. Eczema àmàlàk 157. Goitre bùgul ábùgul Tarok mbɨkùm 158. Boil pu l ípùlà 159. Sore/wound nùr ànùr Tarok anúnúr 160. Leprosy bàpsi 161. Head ʃù àʃù Tarok iʃí 162. Eye tìʃ àtìʃ 163. Face yìʃ àyìʃ 164. Cheek bɔŋ abɔŋ 165. Forehead njan ajan 166. Nose tɔn àtɔn 167. Ear tɔ àtɔ cf. Tarok acwáŋ, Pe u-toŋ, Yangkam toŋ.
The PVC root –tu for ear with an assimilated ki- prefix. (PWN 556)
168. Mouth nún kinún cf. Shall nun, Tarok anùŋ, Pe unuŋ, Yaŋkam noŋ.
169. Tooth ɲín áɲín f. Sur ɲin, Tarok ìnyin, Pe ti-yin.
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 170. Tongue lyám ályám cf. Tarok aɓilim+, Mabo de-rem, cLela d-
rémé, ultimately NC #-lima 171. Throat gwàŋsɛr àgwàŋsɛr Tarok ìgòsəl 172. Neck parsi 173. Jaw kúpkábɔŋ ákúpámábɔŋ 174. Chin mbwɔŋ 175. Shoulder kwàlàk àkwàlàk cf. Sur pakpal, 176. Armpit jàkyì àjàkyì 177. Fist kur 178. Arm pyɛm àpyɛm 179. Hand kwàk àkwàk 180. Leg ɓɔl àɓɔl 181. Foot kaʃkábɔl akaʃkábɔl 182. Thigh tak 183. Knee rúŋ árúŋ 184. Nail (Finger/toe) vògàl àvògàl 185. Female breast njér ánjér 186. Stomach tɛlì àtɛlì 187. Chest kɔk àkɔk 188. Navel kɔm akɔm cf. Tarok ìgum, Pe igum, Yaŋkam kum,
Horom kom. Also Mambiloid (Cambap) kúmbu#n, PB #kóbù
189. Back bàrì 190. Buttocks ájámí-dàŋgɔl 191. Penis swàl 192. Vagina súr 193. Skin kwá cf. Sur tùkwá, Yaŋkam kpa, Tarok awá 194. Bone kúp ákúp cf. Tarok akúp, Pe ukup, Yaŋkam kup
but a widespread BC root for ‘bone’ 195. Rib kúpkábɛrɛŋ ákúpkábɛrɛŋ 196. Vein dwàr àdwàr 197. Blood njì 198. Breath fìnà 199. Tear dìʃi l 200. Saliva má 201. Sweat lèpèná ? cf. Tarok ǹlìm 202. Urine bìʃɛrí 203. Faeces bàsì àbàsì 204. Hair ŋgwàbì àgwàbì 205. Beard njɛn ànjɛn 206. Liver ɗó áɗó
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 207. Heart sùr àsùr cf. Sur turum, 208. Intestines tɛlgìɲaʃí àtɛlgìɲaʃí 209. Body ndùs àndùs 210. Meat nàm ànàm 211. Animal (Bush) námá-puk ánámá-puk 212. Cow kàlà àkàlà 213. Bull mɔrɔm-mí-
kàlà àmɔrɔma-ma-kàlà
214. Calf fàn-mì-kàlà àwànà-mà-kàlà 215. Goat fɔl afɔl cf. Tarok ìɓil, Yangkam be, Pe ìɓwel,
Fyem bwol. 216. He-goat ŋgwa k áŋgwák 217. Castrated goat tuk atuk 218. Sheep ʃàk àʃàk 219. Ram ŋgúrza áŋgúrza 220. Castrated sheep tuk 221. Dog fu afu 222. *Cat mus amus < H. 223. *Pig 224. *Horse brùhi àbrùhi 225. *Donkey djàki < H. 226. Elephant làʃì-ŋgìna 227. Hippo 228. Buffalo yàr àyàr cf. Yaŋkam iyeet, Nupe eya. A root #ya
reconstructed for Benue-Congo. 229. Lion ɲɛpkàl aɲɛpkàl 230. Leopard tàm àtàm 231. Hyena1 ɲàwì àɲàwì 232. Civet cat2 gaŋsu n agaŋsu n 233. Genet cat3 234. Jackal4 sɔlí 235. Wart-hog5 riʃi ariʃi also for bush-pig, Tarok ìrì 236. Bush-pig6
1 (Crocuta crocuta) 2 (Viverra civetta) 3 (Genetta genetta) 4 (Canis aureus) 5 (Phacochoerus aethiopus) 6 (Potamochoerus Porcus)
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 237. Duiker antelope7 ɗìʃ àɗìʃ 238. Kob antelope8 gurya agurya 239. Roan antelope9 sɔk-kɔm asɔk-kɔm 240. Porcupine10 ʃɛk àʃɛk 241. Tree pangolin11 242. Baboon rɔm arɔm 243. Patas monkey12 yàràm àyàràm also for colobus monkey 244. Vervet monkey13 kàrí àkàrí 245. Squirrel (ground) ʃaŋjar aʃaŋjar 246. Squirrel (tree) ʃàŋjar mítùrá àʃàŋjar mítùrá 247. Rat (generic) vì àvì cf. Sur bi, Tarok ìpi, Yaŋkam pi, 248. Bush-rat I vímapúk ávímapúk 249. Bush-rat II gwàmì àgwàmì 250. Bush-rat III bìskit àbìskit 251. Bush-rat IV nánkwap ánánkwap 252. Giant rat14 jɛltàŋ àjɛltàŋ 253. Fat mouse nja ri ánja ri 254. Pygmy mouse 255. Grasscutter15 áɲyánya w 256. Hedgehog16 ʃàtárak àʃárak 257. Hare17 ɓɔlɔk áɓɔlɔk 258. House-bat pítípak ápítípak 259. Fruit-bat jìjàk àjìjàk cf. Sur gigyak, 260. Nile crocodile gó’òrɔk ágó’òrɔk 261. Chameleon lèʃɛm àlèʃɛm 262. Agama lizard làdɛr àlàdɛr 263. Skink mìmyàk àmìmyàk
7 (Cephalophus spp.) 8 (Kobus kob) 9 (Hippotragus equinus) 10 (Hystrix cristata) 11 (Manis tricuspis) 12 (Erythrocebus patas) 13 (Cercopithecus aethiops) 14 (Cretomyces sp.) 15 (Thryonomys Swinderianus) 16 (Atelerix albiventris) 17 (Lepus Crawshayi)
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 264. Gecko ratiʃ aratiʃ 265. Monitor lizard
(damo) kóri ákóri
266. Monitor lizard (xx)
war awar cf. Sur yyuwar,
267. Toad nanjwà ananjwà 268. Frog ɓwàptì àɓwàptì Cf. Tarok mpwàkàp ‘Toad’ 269. Tortoise kàŋgyûr àkàŋgyu r 270. Snake (Generic) jà àjà 271. Spitting cobra baŋ abaŋ 272. Python nànzugut ànànzugut 273. Turtle 274. Crab ŋárga áŋárga 275. River molluscs 276. Fish (generic) gwaʃi agwaʃi Cf. Tarok ìgwàlì 277. Tilapia (spp.) gwaʃi-míryɛk agwaʃi-míryɛk 278. Puffer fish18 tuli atuli 279. Catfish (spp.)19 ndurum adurum 280. Nile Perch20 281. Electric fish21 gwaʃi-miryàk agwaʃi-miryàk 282. Bird (generic) ɲɛn aɲɛn Cf. Tarok ìnyil 283. Chicken nàkùrí ànàkùrí 284. Cock gwàn cf. Sur gwanji, 285. *Duck (Domestic) 286. Pigeon (Domestic) nárumalɔk ánárumalɔk 287. Guinea-fowl ‘ʃɛk cf. Tarok ìrusòk, Eggon i-ʃugu, Kamanton
ʃok. 288. Hooded Vulture22 289. Village Weaver23 jít ájít 290. Cattle-egret24 gàmà-mà-
kàlà àgàmà-mà-kàlà
291. Black kite25 gàm àgàm
18 (Tetraodon fahaka) 19 (Synodontis spp.) 20 (Lates niloticus) 21 (Malapterurus electricus) 22 (Neophron monachus) 23 (Ploceus cucullatus) 24 (Ardeola ibis)
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 292. Standard-wing
Night-jar zùzùk àzùzùk
293. Owl (various spp.) gàgu àgàgu 294. Grey Parrot26 295. Senegal Coucal27 ɗìɗi àɗìɗi 296. Bush-
fowl/partridge wɛtíwɛk áwɛtíwɛk
297. Swallow mɛrà 298. *Pied crow28 gwat agwat 299. Woodpecker ŋgwàkɔn àŋgwàkɔn 300. Insect (Generic) ɲɛʃí aɲɛʃí 301. Scorpion na ana cf. Tarok ìnyìnyàŋ, Pe i-naŋ, Yaŋkam
naŋ. This root is found scattered through BC
302. Butterfly nápùpúk ánápùpúk 303. Dragon-fly 304. Mosquito wɛ awɛ 305. Spider29 nákárám ánákárám 306. Mason wasp30 mír ámír 307. Bee sɔk àsɔk 308. Sweat-fly làʃìŋgìna 309. Sandfly rìʃɛn àrìʃɛn 310. Housefly ʃì àʃì cf. Pe i-tsiŋ, Tarok ìcÆ$ŋcÆ$ŋ, Dɔ ) ʒi,
Mambiloid ndʒì Also in Chadic: Ngas nʃi, Mwaghavul ndìʃìì, Tangale tíìn
311. Ant (Generic) rɛnì àrɛnì 312. Louse (Human) dànì àdànì cf. Sur dani, 313. Millipede dàŋdùrùŋ àdàŋdùrùŋ 314. Cockroach pàrmbà àpàrmbà 315. Termite dìdàm àdìdàm 316. Flying-ant nànbùrnà ànànbùrnà cf. Sur namburna ‘ant’, 317. Grasshopper ɲàʃì àɲàʃì
25 (Milvus migrans) 26 (Poicephalus senegalus) 27 (Centropus spp.) 28 (Corvus albus) 29 (Acarina spp.) 30 (Belenogaster spp.)
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 318. Praying mantis làŋgàŋgà àlàŋgàŋgà Cf. Tarok aŋàl 319. Firefly 320. Giant Cricket pàn àpàn 321. Earthworm nànbàlak ànànbàlak cf. Sur naŋkabari, 322. Giant Snail 323. Soap (Traditional) ndyàʃì 324. Oil nɔ 325. Fat/grease bib cf. Sur mbip, Tarok mpìp ‘animal fat’,
Yaŋkam mbyep. 326. Salt màŋzi 327. Soup/stew lɛ 328. Porridge kɔn 329. Sorghum-beer ŋgám-mi-yɔm 330. Palm-wine ŋgám-mi-
mɔrbàŋ
331. Peelings sébà 332. Filter cìnzak ácànzak 333. Rag lɛgzɛr álɛgzɛr 334. Floor-beater pɔŋ apɔŋ applies to any wooden handle at all. 335. Handle (of tool) pɔŋ apɔŋ cf. Pe u-pomni, Yangkam pəp, Cara pop,
Nupe efú, Mambila fù, PB #-péni. 336. Sickle 337. Cutlass zari azari 338. Iron ʃɛm Cf. Tarok acàm 339. Axe yàràk àyàràk 340. Adze yàràk-
mándùr àyàràk-mándùr
341. Hoe I gárà ágárà 342. Hoe II ʃàɔnpaŋ àʃànpaŋ 343. Hoe III vàŋgàr àvàŋgàr 344. Hammer rɔktí arɔktí 345. Knife bárám abárám cf. Sur mbaram, 346. Comb sɔp ásɔp 347. Broom ʃáʃ 348. Bag kùmbù àkùmbù 349. Sack lánbùrna álánbùrna 350. Fireplace àràmìrwa 351. Shoe kwá’áp ákwá’áp cf. Tarok akwàp, Yangkam taxap, Pe kap 352. Cloth lúŋ áluŋ 353. Grindstone (top) nun anun
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 354. Grindstone
(lower) fan-ma-mun afan-ma-mun
355. Mortar (wood) luk aluk 356. Pestle ru aru 357. Pot (generic) mbìʃàr ámbìʃàr cf. Sur biʃar, 358. Pot I balaŋ ábalaŋ 359. Pot II mbìʃàr-mílyɛ ámbìʃàr-mílyɛ 360. Pot III mbìʃàr-mí-
zàŋgà àmbìʃàr-mí-zàŋga
361. Pot IV bìr àbìr 362. Head-pad 363. Basket (generic) rìʃàk àrìʃàk 364. Basket I rìʃàk-ki-dɛnsì àrìʃàk-ki-dɛnsì 365. Basket II rìʃàk-ki-kwáp àrìʃàk-ki-kwáp 366. Winnowing tray ɓúr áɓúr 367. Mat (generic) debena ádebena 368. Mat I debenama ádebenema 369. Needle bùn àbùn 370. Spear mìʃ àmìʃ 371. Bow tà àtà thong of the bow dwar adwar 372. Arrow ɓyɛ àɓyɛ stick of the arrow sɛp asɛp 373. Quiver gwàn àgwàn Sword jàrí àjàrí Sheath pwàʃàl 374. Chain zamda azamda 375. Rope vár 376. Stool púr ápúr 377. Wooden door ɲáŋpení áɲáŋpení 378. Fence zá 379. Bridge kutar 380. Ladder go ago 381. Canoe 382. Paddle 383. Bee-hive kpɔrɔŋ kəsɔ 384. Fish-Net 385. Fish-trap I kurge akurge 386. Fish-trap II 387. Animal-trap ɗyàlàk trap for leopard and hyena 388. Snare 389. One gat
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 390. Two ɓá 391. Three tát 392. Four nas 393. Five tɔn 394. Six ʃán 395. Seven tarábá 396. Eight nanas 397. Nine twanas 398. Ten wɔri 399. Eleven wɔri-ɲagat 400. Twelve wɔri-ɲaba 401. Twenty wɔr-gába 402. Twenty-four wɔr-gába-
ɲanas
403. Forty wɔr-gánas 404. Sixty wɔr-gaʃa 405. Eighty wɔr gánanas 406. Hundred dɛri 407. Black ʃìrí 408. White kál 409. Red ɓé 410. Sweet kúnrara 411. Bitter nɔsi 412. Half nágánáme 413. Hot pí 414. Cold ʃìʃì 415. Old kɔpme 416. New pàsi àpàsìyáme 417. Wet wúsún 418. Dry kɔrí 419. Smooth tóli 420. Add to káŋteʃùmyà 421. Answer (question) yámbɛl yárbɛlá 422. Arrive tàlɛrì 423. Ask a question nán 424. Ask/beg for
something kɔr
425. Awaken (s.o.) nuŋzama to awake by
yourself sɛŋgíma
426. Bark (dog) ŋgwàŋà
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 427. Be bent gúnma Cf. Tarok gən 428. Be heavy íríŋjì 429. Be on (s.t.) ʃanbelte-nu-
mí-sùn
430. Be rotten bwáʃ 431. Be short ɲɛma-pwát 432. Beat (drum) yàkkà 433. Beat (s.o.) pyí 434. Become dry nàkɔrì 435. Begin 436. Bite nundi 437. Blow (flute etc.) pyáp-bi 438. Boil pul 439. Build (house etc.) lɔgàmè 440. Burn (fire burns) rwa-píp 441. Bury pyɛga 442. Buy ráp 443. Call (to someone) tɔk-gà 444. Carry tɛr 445. Carve (wood etc.) seba 446. Catch wúm 447. Chew njíba 448. Choose njàp 449. Climb túrta 450. Close tɛkùr 451. Come tàrì 452. Come out (of
room) wárìtè-káʃà
453. Continue (to do s.t.)
dìjàm
454. Cook désa 455. Cough pwáràm 456. Count kɔra 457. Cover ʃúk 458. Cut down (tree) ɲima-gɔnì 459. Cut in two ɲima-bá 460. Cut off (head etc.) ɲiʃu-kɛnà 461. Dance dùr 462. Die ku Cf. Tarok kú 463. Dig (earth etc.) jin 464. Divide/share kápmà káp-pan Cf. Tarok ka p
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 465. Do/make ʃì 466. Drag áʃà-kùptà 467. Draw water nápá-màmìn 468. Dream amwar 469. Drink sɔ 470. Drop jìra-jápjáp 471. Dry in sun kɔrì-té-vìya 472. Eat díh Cf. Tarok rí 473. Enter lɛra 474. Extinguish ákúrwà 475. Fall (rain) kɔrhɔk-pìri 476. Fall over pìri-ʃúmyà 477. Fear ú’wa 478. Feel (cold etc.) yír 479. Fight (in war) rɔm-mà-lálá 480. Fill ʃìlàh 481. Finish (a task) ɓálàgha 482. Float sɛra-ʃú-mà-
mìna
483. Flog kʃam 484. Flow (water etc.) mín-kɔn 485. Fly (birds) ɗwɔm-ɲar 486. Fold (cloth etc.) rìŋà 487. Follow mwàriŋ 488. Forget tɔhm 489. Fry (in oil) rhák 490. Gather/collect zɔm-ma zɔm-manma 491. Get yɛlí yɛlan 492. Give nama Cf. Tarok na 493. Give birth yìlá 494. Go ɗá ɗáná 495. Go out/exit wàràndà-
párá
496. Grind kɔghà 497. Grow (plants) yàksà 498. Hatch (egg) jáʃì ájáʃì 499. Have íyá áyá Cf. Tarok ya 500. Hear yirá áyìra 501. Hit/strike (drum) yákghá áyákghá 502. Hoe ŋgàpàk àŋgàpàk 503. Hunt par
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 504. Jump ɲar 505. Kill wɔn bwàràn 506. Kneel làŋ làŋhà 507. Know yɔkghà 508. Laugh ʃìʃìla 509. Learn byàkʃàlà 510. Lick lyám 511. Lie down dyɛmwar dànmwar 512. Listen yàksa tyo yàksanatyo 513. Lose s.t. tɔh áwàtɔsi 514. Marry rɔŋ 515. Mix wɔndɔn 516. Mould (pot) lɔgha-bìʃàr álɔgha-bìʃàr 517. Mount turi 518. Open pɛl 519. Pierce/stab nɔb-mà 520. Plait (hair) pap 521. Plant (crop etc.) àwàmì-dyɛn 522. Play gàmà 523. Pound (in mortar) krwa 524. Pour (liquid) fúr 525. Pull náp 526. Push tul 527. Put on (clothes) fɔr 528. Receive yɛlí 529. Refuse ván 530. ‘Remain’ nághànà 531. Remember lɛŋ 532. Resemble wàràdɔk 533. Return kɛnà 534. Ride (horse etc.) tùlà 535. Roast on coals fífí 536. Rub gɔghɔl 537. Run sɔm 538. Say/speak ʃɛrì 539. Scatter sɛŋsɛŋ 540. See byɛ 541. Seek lɛksɛr 542. Sell gɔŋ àgɔŋ 543. Send kɔr
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 544. Set trap dɛʃir 545. Sew tɛlá 546. Shake jìŋjìlá 547. Sharpen fwá 548. Shoot (arrow,
gun) tyá
549. Sing ndúr 550. Sit down dàlàndha 551. Slaughter (animal) kɔm 552. Sleep mwàr 553. Smash sàrì 554. Smell ŋgwàl 555. Snap in two pàndìma 556. Sow seeds ɲaksa-bìgyɛt 557. Spit bímá 558. Split kápsá 559. Stand ʃambɛl 560. Steal kɔs 561. Stir (soup) gùŋzùl 562. Suck (breast etc.) mùga 563. Surpass kúnsé 564. Swallow mèrà 565. Sweep kɔná 566. Swell mmák 567. Swim ábám 568. Take tɛr 569. Tear (cloth etc.) sàrì 570. Tell ʃɛrì 571. Throw vɛn 572. Tie bán 573. Touch wàɓàl 574. Twist (rope etc.) mɛndàr 575. Untie wusuk 576. Uproot (tuber) pìgà 577. Vomit kwàksà 578. Walk ʃɛrá 579. Want/need lyɛghá 580. Wash pɔndhà 581. Wear yàkghà 582. Weave lɔghà 583. Weed bùmbwak
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 584. Weep ndìʃìl 585. Wipe túri 586. Work tɔm 587. Yawn yìyɛr 588. I myɛ 589. You wo 590. He/she/it mɛsɔm/mìnɔg
/ndi
591. we wòrà 592. you pl. ɲìnà 593. They abagha 594. Who? yába áyába 595. Which? ya ba 596. What? yamba yambo 597. When? nàskìya ba 598. Where? peba pebo 599. Additional 600. bìndà H. bante 601. mbɛnì animal skin for wearing 602. zùrùm H. shedia 603. líbdì local spoon 604. gàyàm local lantern made of corn stalk 605. kara front of the house 606. ɓɔmdì granary usually for first wives 607. gan chicken pen 608. nvùʃ fruit of tree used for a kind of game (nkur in Mada) 609. kɔrr shooting exercise using the fruit above Edible and Useful Plants NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 610. Guinea-yam31 gùrtà 611. Aerial yam32 swar 612. Red yam33 mbwàrkàl 613. Water-yam34 gùrtà-túli
31 (Dioscorea guineensis) 32 (Dioscorea bulbifera) 33 (Dioscorea cayenensis)
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 614. Taro (Old cocoyam)35 mwàla ŋ-márɔn 615. New cocoyam36* mwàla ŋ 616. Cassava*37 617. Sweet potato*38 lawúr 618. Wild yam I ŋgùrtà-mákàrí 619. Tumuku39 kúk-ʃíri 620. Rizga40 kúk-byɛ 621. Sorghum41 kwɔn 622. 3-month Sorghum42 623. Bulrush millet43 (gero) mɛr 624. Bulrush millet
(maiwa) mùs
625. Eleusine*44 dugúluŋ 626. Fonio (H. acca)45 cìn 627. Iburu (H. iburu)46 ʃàra b 628. Maize*47 balɓo 629. Rice*48 ciŋgap 630. Cowpea49 ɗyàk 631. Spiral cowpea sanduk 632. Lima bean50* ràtùk 633. Other beans I ràtùk-ʃíri 634. Other beans II
34 (Dioscorea alata) 35 (Colocasia esculenta) 36 (Xanthosoma mafaffa) (H. wali) 37 (Manihot esculenta) 38 (Ipomoea batatas) 39 (Plectranthus esculentus) 40 (Solenostemon rotundifolius) 41 (Sorghum bicolor) 42 (H. jigaari)) 43 (Pennisetum spp.) 44 (H. tamba) (Eleusine coracana) 45 (Digitaria exilis) 46 (Digitaria iburua) 47 (Zea mays) 48 (Oryza sativa/ glaberrima) 49 (Vigna unguiculata) 50 (Phaseolus lunatus)
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 635. Other beans III 636. Bambara groundnut51 kɛlɛ akɛlɛ 637. Kersting's ground-
nut52
638. Groundnut (Peanut)53 bì àbì 639. Tiger-nut54 640. Garden egg55 byàràk àbyàràk 641. Okra56 lábwat 642. Chili pepper* (large)57 sída 643. Birdseye chili*58 644. Onion (Allium cepa) 645. Garlic59 lábasa-ɲaʃí 646. Tomato60 647. Egusi melon61 648. Melon (other)62 649. Edible squash63 650. Sorrel/roselle64 fùlɛrì 651. Jews' mallow65 dwàlàŋ 652. Kenaf66 njìla m 653. Sesame seeds67 ‘yɛl 654. Black sesame68 ‘yɛl-ʃíri 655. Sesame leaves69 njɛl
51 (Vigna subterranea) 52 (Macrotyloma geocarpa) 53 (Arachis hypogaea) 54 (Cyperus esculentus) 55 (Solanum melongena) 56 (Abelmoschus esculentus) 57 (Capsicum frutescens) 58 (Capsicum annuum) 59 (Allium sativum) 60 (Lycopersicon esculentum) 61 (Citrullus lanatus) 62 (Cucumis spp) 63 (Cucurbita pepo) 64 (H. yakuwa) (Hibiscus sabdariffa) 65 (H. lalo)(Corchorus olitorius) 66 (H. rama) (Hibiscus cannabinus) 67 (H. RiÎii) (Sesamum indicum) 68 (Sesamum radiatum)
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 656. Bitterleaf70 zɔk-sara 657. Waterleaf*71 álàgyám 658. Plantain (Musa AAB) 659. Banana (Musa AAA) 660. Orange*72 bótótót ábótótót 661. Bamboo kwáp ákwáp 662. Coconut*73 gáŋ ágáŋ 663. Pawpaw*74 664. Gourd (Generic) 665. Gourd-bottle75 ɓwɔk 666. Gourd (spherical)76 nyà’è 667. Other gourds vine of the gourd kùkwà 668. Cotton pùtúk 669. Tobacco* 670. Sugar-cane* 671. Loofah77 (H. soso) 672. Cola 673. Oil-palm78 gɔnì-má-
mùrbàŋ
674. Palm-fruit 675. Palm-oil mùrbàŋ 676. Palm kernel sùmà-mí-
mùrbàŋ
677. Raphia/ bamboo palm79
678. Fan-palm80 gàn àgàn 679. Monkey-guava81 69 (H. karkashi) 70 Vernonia amygdalina 71 (Amaranthus spp) 72 (Citrus sinensis) 73 (Cocos nucifera) 74 (Carica papaya) 75 (Lagenaria siceraria) 76 (Cucurbita maxima) 77 (Luffa cylindrica) 78 (Elaeis guineensis) 79 (Raphia spp.) 80 (Borassus aethiopum)
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NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 680. Canarium tree82 681. Custard apple83 682. Wild date-palm84 683. Baobab85 rwàndì àrwàndì 684. Silk-cotton tree86 gùm àgùm 685. Shea tree87 jàŋ 686. Shea-fruit jàŋ àjàŋ 687. Shea butter rək 688. Locust tree88 gɔnì-mì-rɛn àgɔnì-mì-rɛn 689. Locust fruit dyini adyini 690. Locust-bean cakes kukwap-mi-
dyini
691. Tamarind89 njámi 692. Sodom apple90 693. Terminalia sp.91 ŋwà’á 694. Black plum92 Musical Instruments NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 695. Drum I bàŋga àbàŋga 696. Drum II wini-ma-túgi awini-ma-túgi 697. Drum III laliyu alaliyu 698. Flute nzàrtà ànzàrtà 699. Zither byɛrɛŋ abyɛrɛŋ 700. Lute zàrtà àzàrtà 701. Xylophone byɛrɛŋ-magɔt abyɛrɛŋ-magɔt 702. Transverse horn kəwur
81 (Diospyros mespiliformis) 82 (Canarium schweinfurthii) 83 (Annona senegalensis) 84 (Phoenix reclinata) 85 (Adansonia digitata) 86 (Ceiba pentandra) 87 (Vitellaria paradoxa) 88 (Parkia biglobosa) 89 (Tamarindus indica) 90 (Calotropis procera H. tumfafiya) 91 (H. baushe) 92 (Vitex doniana)
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703. horn gɔt used for dancing 704. Clarinet gùndyàŋ àgùndyàŋ 705. Iron gong bindiga abindiga < Hausa ‘gun’ 706. Gourd-rattle kuŋgurun-
miɲak akuŋgurun-miɲak
707. Ankle rattles awawa References Abraham, R.C. 1962. Dictionary of the Hausa language. London: University of London Press. Bendor-Samuel, J. ed. 1989. The Niger-Congo languages. Lanham: University Press of America. CAPRO ined. An ethnic survey of Plateau State. Jos: CAPRO Research Office. Crozier, D. and Blench, R.M. 1992. Index of Nigerian Languages (edition 2). SIL, Dallas. Temple, Olive 1922. Notes on the Tribes, Provinces, Emirates and States of the Northern Provinces of Nigeria. Argus Printing and Publishing Co. Capetown. Westermann, D. 1927. Die Westlichen Sudansprachen und ihre Beziehungen zum Bantu. Berlin: de Gruyter. Williamson, K., and K. Shimizu 1968. Benue-Congo comparative wordlist, Vol. 1. Ibadan: West African Linguistic Society. Williamson, Kay 1971. The Benue-Congo languages & Ịjọ. In Current trends in Linguistics 7 (ed.) T. Sebeok 245-306. The Hague: Mouton. Williamson, Kay 1973. Benue-Congo comparative wordlist: Vol.2. Ibadan: West African Linguistic Society.