Maban languages

For the Luo language, see Mabaan language.

Maban
Geographic distribution	Chad, South Sudan, Sudan, Central African Republic
Linguistic classification	Nilo-Saharan? Maba–Kunama? Maban
Subdivisions	Mimi-N Maban proper
Glottolog	maba1274

The Maban languages are a small family of languages which have been included in the proposed Nilo-Saharan family. Maban languages are spoken in Chad, the Central African Republic, Sudan (Darfur) and South Sudan, and includes the following languages:

• Mimi of Nachtigal
• Maban proper
  • Kenjeje (Yaali, Faranga)
  • Masalit: Surbakhal, Masalit
  • Aiki (Runga and Kibet, sometimes considered separate languages)
  • Mabang: Karanga, Marfa, Maba

The languages attested in two word lists labelled "Mimi", collected by Decorse (Mimi-D) and Nachtigal (Mimi-N), have also been classified as Maban, though this has been contested. Mimi-N appears to have been remotely related to Maban proper, while Mimi-D appears to have not been Maban at all, with the similarities due to language contact with locally dominant Maba.

External links

• G. Starostin, 2011. On Mimi