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Ekpeye language

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ekpeye
ẹkpeye[1]
Native toNigeria
RegionRivers State
EthnicityEkpeye people
Native speakers
226,000[citation needed][2]
Niger–Congo?
Language codes
ISO 639-3ekp
Glottologekpe1253

Ekpeye language is one of many languages spoken in Rivers State, Nigeria. According to Roger Blench, Ekpeye is classified as an Igboid language.[3] Although an Igboid language, Ekpeye has evolved to a very distinct Igboid language that is phonologically different from other Igboid languages.[4] The Ogba and Ikwerre languages are closely related to Ekpeye. Ekpeye has many mutually intelligible dialects.

Writing system

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Ekpeye alphabet[1]
a b bh ch d dh e g gb gw h i j k kp kw
l m n nw ny o p s sh t u w wh y z zh

Phonology

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Vowels

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Ekpeye has nine vowel phonemes:

Vowels of Ekpeye
Front Back
Close i u
Near-close ɪ ʊ
Close-mid e o
Open-mid ɛ ɔ
Open a

The language has no long nasal vowels, no contrast between oral and nasal vowels, and no allophonic variants. The vowels carry tones, as Ekpeye is a tonal language. Ekpeye exhibits active synchronic vowel harmony.[1]

Distribution

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Ngulube, Isaac (2011). "Ekpeye Orthography". Orthographies of Nigerian Languages. IX. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  2. ^ Ekpeye at Ethnologue (21st ed., 2018) Closed access icon
  3. ^ Blench, R. (2013). "A dictionary of Ekpeye : an Igboid language of Southern Nigeria" (PDF). Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.
  4. ^ Blench, Roger. "A reconstruction of the phonology of proto-Igboid".