Igala language
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| Igala | |
|---|---|
| Native to | Nigeria |
Native speakers | 1,000,000 (2003)[1] |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | igl |
| Glottolog | igal1242[2] |
Igala is a Volta–Niger language. It is spoken by the Igala ethnic group of Nigeria. In 1989 an estimated 800,000 spoke Igala, primarily in Kogi State, but also in fringe portions of Delta State (Ebu), Edo State and Anambra state. Dialects include Ebu, Idah, Imane, Ankpa, Dekina, Ogugu, Ibaji and Ife.
The Igala is related to Yoruba with which it shares a previous common ancestor, it remains unclear when both language split, mutual intelligibility in modern times is only marginal, although the sound/tonal systems remain the same, akin to the relationship between the various daughter languages of the Romance or Slavic language families.
The Idoma and Bassa people use Igala for primary school. The Igala language, as well as Igala culture and tradition, has influenced other languages and cultures around the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers.
References[edit]
- ^ Igala at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015)
- ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017). "Igala". Glottolog 3.0. Jena, Germany: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.
- Roger Blench, Paul Gross. 2005. Igala mammal names.
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