Central Delta languages
Central Delta languages is a topic that has captured the attention of millions of people around the world. Since its inception, it has generated extensive debate and controversy, and has been the subject of numerous studies and research. In this article, we will explore in detail the impact of Central Delta languages on today's society, analyzing its different facets and the implications it has for different areas. Additionally, we will examine how it has evolved over time and current trends that point towards its growth or decline. Central Delta languages undoubtedly continues to be a relevant and constantly evolving topic, and it is essential to understand its scope and influence in today's world.
| Central Delta | |
|---|---|
| Geographic distribution | SE Nigeria |
| Linguistic classification | Niger–Congo?
|
| Language codes | |
| Glottolog | cent2028 |
The Central Delta languages are spoken in Rivers State, Bayelsa State and Nigeria. Ogbia is the most populous, with over 200,000 speakers.
The languages are Abua–Odual, Ogbia, Kugbo, Abureni, Obulom, O’chi’chi’, Ogbogolo, Ogbronuagum.
Names and locations
Below is a list of language names, populations, and locations from Blench (2019).[1]
| Language | Cluster | Dialects | Alternate spellings | Own name for language | Endonym(s) | Other names (location-based) | Other names for language | Exonym(s) | Speakers | Location(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abua | Central Abuan, Ẹmughan, Ọtabha (Ọtapha), Okpeḍen | Abuan | Abua | 11,000 (1963): estimated 25,000 (Faraclas 1989) | Rivers State, Ahoada LGA | ||||||
| Kolo cluster | Kolo | Ọgbia, Ogbinya | 100,000 (1987 UBS) | Rivers State, Brass LGA | |||||||
| Kolo | Kolo | Agholo | |||||||||
| Oloiḅiri | Kolo | ||||||||||
| Anyama | Kolo | no data | |||||||||
| Obulom | Abuloma | Rivers State, Okrika LGA, Abuloma town | |||||||||
| Oḍual | Arughaunya, Aḍibom | Ọḍual | Oḍual | Saka | 8,400 (1963); 15,000 (1980 UBS) | Rivers State, Ahoada LGA | (F&J 1940) report 700 speakers, but in the 1970s, Barnwell (p.c.) found only 20 speakers living in a quarter of one town. The Odut are Mbembe speakers, and there is no separate language. | ||||
| Ogbogolo | One town only | Rivers State, Ahoada LGA | |||||||||
| Ogbrọnuagụm | Bukuma | Agum | One town only, north of Buguma | Rivers State, Degema LGA | |||||||
| Ọchịchị | Ọchịchị | Ọchịchị | A few speakers; moribund, since speakers have switched to Echie | Rivers State, Etche LGA, towns of Ikwerengwo and Umuebulu | |||||||
| Kụgbọ | 2,000 (1973 SIL) | Rivers State, Brass LGA | |||||||||
| Abureni | Mini | Mini | 3 villages | Rivers State, Brass LGA | no data |
References
- ^ Blench, Roger (2019). An Atlas of Nigerian Languages (4th ed.). Cambridge: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.
- Blench, Roger. 2008. The Central Delta languages: comparative word list and historical reconstructions.
This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 3.0 license.