Ekpeye language

Ekpeye
ẹkpeye[1]
Native to	Nigeria
Region	Rivers State
Ethnicity	Ekpeye people
Native speakers	226,000[citation needed][2]
Language family	Niger–Congo? Atlantic–Congo Volta–Niger yeai Igboid Ekpeye
Language codes
ISO 639-3	ekp
Glottolog	ekpe1253

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

Writing system

Ekpeye alphabet^[1]

a

b

bh

ch

d

dh

e

ẹ

g

gb

gw

h

i

ị

j

k

kp

kw

l

m

n

nw

ny

o

ọ

p

s

sh

t

u

ụ

w

wh

y

z

zh

Phonology

Vowels

Ekpeye has nine vowel phonemes:

Vowels of Ekpeye

	Front	Near-front	Near-back	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

• Rivers State: Ahoada East, Ahoada West, and Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni LGAs.
• Imo State: Ohaji/Egbema LGA

References

Official languagesNational languagesRecognised languagesIndigenous languages

Indigenous languages (grouped by Nigerian state) Adamawa Baa Bacama Bali Bata Boga Bura Chamba Leko Daba Daka Dong Fali of Mubi Ga'anda Gaa Gude Gudu Holma Huba Hwana Hya Kamwe Kanakuru Kirya-Konzəl Kofa Koma Kpasam Kugama Kumba Lamang Longuda Margi Margi South Mumuye Ngwaba Nyong Nzanyi Psikyɛ Sukur Taram Teme Tso Vere Waja Wom Yendang Zizilivakan Akwa Ibom Anaang Ekit Ibibio Obolo Oron Bauchi Ɓeele Bole Bure Ciwogai Dass Dazawa Deno Dikaka Dulbu Galambu Gera Geruma Giiwo Guruntum Jalaa Jarawa Jimi Karekare Kariya Kir-Balar Kubi Kushi Kusur–Myet Kutto Kwaami Labir Longuda Mangas Mburku Miya Pa'a Piya Polci Shiki Siri Tso Warji Zangwal Zumbun Bayelsa Izon Epie Urhobo-Isoko Southeast Ijo Benue Eggon Igede Borno Afade Bura Cibak Cineni Dghwede Glavda Gude Guduf-Gava Gvoko Jara Jilbe Kamwe Kanakuru Lamang Maaka Mafa Margi Margi South Nggwahyi Putai Tera Wandala Yedina Cross River Abanyom Efik Mbe Mbembe Delta Urhobo-Isoko Ika Izon Isoko Ukwuani Uhrobo Edo Afenmai Ishan Bini Gombe Awak Bangwinji Bole Dadiya Jara Kamo Ngamo Pero Tangale Tera Tula Waja Jigawa Bade Teshenawa Kaduna Adara Ahwai Anib Atsam Ayu Berom Bu-Ninkada Bina Bishi Cori Doka Dungu Duya Ekhwa Gbagyi-Gbari Gwandara Gyong Hasha Hausa Hyam Ikulu Jju Kaivi Kinuku Koonu Kuzamani Mada Mala Nghan Nikyob-Nindem Ninzo Numana Nungu Nyankpa Ruma Sambe Sha Shamang T'kurmi Timap TiSeni Tivori Toro Tugbiri-Niragu Tumi Tyap (Fantswam, Gworog, Sholyio, Takad, Tyap Mabatado, Tyecharak, Tyuku) Vono Wachi Zhire Kano Ɗuwai Hausa Tikurmi Kebbi Cipu Damakawa Hun-Saare Kogi Basa-Benue Bassa Nge Igala Nupe Oworo Kwara Kakanda Kupa Nupe Nasarawa Ake Alumu Basa-Benue Duhwa Eggon Hasha Jili Toro Niger Asu Bariba Cipu Gbagyi Gwandara Jijili Kakanda Nupe Pongu Ondo Itsekiri Izon Ukaan Plateau Barkul Berom Bogghom Bole Cakfem-Mushere Dass Fyam Fyer Goemai Horom Izere Jorto Koenoem Kofyar Kulere Miship Montol Mundat Mwaghavul Ngas Pe Pyapun Rigwe Ron Sha Sur Tal Tambas Tarok Tyap (Takad) Yankam Yiwom Rivers Abua Baan Biseni Defaka Degema Ekpeye Eleme Engenni Gokana Ijaw Ikwerre Kalabari Khana Kugbo Nkoroo O’chi’chi Obolo Obulom Odual Ogba Ogbogolo Ogbronuagum Ogoni Okodia Oruma Tee Ukwuani-Aboh-Ndoni Taraba Baissa Fali Bete Buru Dadiya Donga Kholok Kpati Laka Lufu Mumuye Nyam Nyingwom Pangseng Rang Tarok Waja Waka Yendang Yoti Yobe Bade Bole Ɗuwai Karekare Ngamo Ngizim

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