Yiwom (Ywom), also known as Gerka or Gerkawa by the Hausa,[2] is a Chadic (Afro-Asiatic) language spoken in Plateau State, Nigeria.
| Yiwom | |
|---|---|
| Gerka | |
| Pronunciation | [jʷom] |
| Native to | Nigeria |
| Region | Plateau State |
Native speakers | 14,000 (2000)[1] |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | gek |
| Glottolog | yiwo1237 |
Sociolinguistic background edit
Ywom was formerly much more widespread, with Ywom toponyms found in southern Tarok-speaking areas.[2] Roger Blench (2013)[3] reports that Ywom is spoken in Hyel Ywom town and nearby hamlets. Many Ywom speak Jukun and Tarok as additional languages.[3] Due to influence from Plateau languages, Ywom has various phonological features that are considered unusual for a West Chadic language, such as labiovelar consonants.[2]
Phonology edit
Tones are at least high and low. Mid tone may be allophonic. Rising and falling tones are probably restricted to sequences.
Vowels are /i e a ɨ ə u o/. There may also be an ?/ɯ/. Three vowels are long, /aa ee ɨɨ/.
Consonants are:
| ɓ | ɗ | ||||||||
| p b | t d | c ɟ | k ɡ | kp ɡb | ɢ | ʔ | |||
| f v | θ | s z | ʃ ʒ | ʃʲ | ɣ | h | |||
| m | n | ɲ | ŋ | ||||||
| ʙ̪ | l r | ||||||||
| j | w |
Syllable-initial consonant clusters are Cw, Cj, Cr and Cl. NC also occurs; the N takes its own tone.
References edit
- ^ Yiwom at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
- ^ a b c Blench, Roger. 2017. Current research on the A3 West Chadic languages.
- ^ a b Blench, Roger. 2013. However did Ywom become so strange?.
External links edit
- Blench, Roger. 2013. However did Ywom become so strange?.
- Paradisec has an open access collection of Roger Blench’s materials that includes Yiwom language materials
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