Gur languages

The Gur languages, also known as Central Gur or Mabia, belong to the Niger–Congo languages. They are spoken in the Sahelian and savanna regions of West Africa, namely: in most areas of Burkina Faso, and in south-central Mali, northeastern Ivory Coast, the northern halves of Ghana and Togo, northwestern Benin, and southwestern Niger. A few Gur languages are spoken in Nigeria. Additionally, a single Gur language, Baatonum, is spoken in Benin and in the extreme northwest of Nigeria. Three other single Gur languages, the Tusya, Vyemo and Tiefo languages, are spoken in Burkina Faso. Another unclassified Gur language, Miyobe, is spoken in Benin and Togo. In addition, Kulango, Loma and Lorhon, are spoken in Ghana, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. Additionally, a few Mossi speakers are in Senegal, and speakers of the Dagaare language are also found in Cameroon. The Samu languages of Burkina Faso are Gur languages.

Gur
Central Gur
Mabia
Geographic
distribution
Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Togo, Nigeria
Linguistic classificationNiger–Congo?
Subdivisions
  • Northern
  • Southern
Glottologcent2243  (Gur + Waja–Jen)
Map showing regions of Burkina Faso and neighboring countries where Gur languages are spoken: Koromfé in a small area in the north; Oti–Volta languages, the most widespread; Bwamu in the west; Gurunsi in the southern and southeastern areas; Kirma–Lobi in a small western area; Dogoso–Khe in a small extreme western area; and Doghose–Gan in a small western area.
  1. Koromfé
  3. Bwamu
  4. Gurunsi
  5. KirmaLobi
  6. DogosoKhe
  7. ? DoghoseGan

Typological features

Like most Niger–Congo languages, the ancestor of Gur languages probably had a noun class system; many of today's languages have reduced this to a system of nominal genders or declensions or no longer have a class system.[1] A common property of Gur languages is the verbal aspect marking. Almost all Gur languages are tonal, with Koromfé being a notable exception. The tonal systems of Gur languages are rather divergent. Most Gur languages have been described as following the model of a two tone downstep system, but the languages of Oti-Volta branch and some others have three phonemic tones.

History of study

Sigismund Wilhelm Koelle first mentions twelve Gur languages in his 1854 Polyglotta Africana, which represent ten languages in modern classification. Notably, he correctly identified these languages as being related to one another; his 'North-Eastern High Sudan' corresponds to Gur in modern classification.

Map showing the Mabia Languages that are currently under study.

The Gur family was previously called Voltaic, following the French name (langues) Voltaïques (named after the Volta River). It was once considered to be more extensive than it is often regarded today, including the Senufo languages and a number of small language isolates. The inclusion of Senufo within Gur has been rejected by many linguists, including Tony Naden.[2] Williamson and Blench[3] place Senufo as a separate branch of Atlantic–Congo, while other non-Central Gur languages are placed somewhat closer as separate branches within the Savannas continuum.

Kleinewillinghöfer (2014) notes that the closest relatives of Gur appear to be several branches of the obsolete Adamawa family, since many "Adamawa" languages in fact share more similarities with various (Central) Gur languages than with other Adamawa languages. He proposes that early Gur-Adamawa speakers had cultivated guinea corn and millet in a wooded savanna environment.[4]

Classification

The regions on the map denote regional distribution of the Central Gur languages. The tree-diagram below denotes the relations between these languages and their closest relatives:

The position of Dogoso–Khe in Southern Gur is not clear; it is not closely related to other members of the branch.

Bodomo (2017)

Bodomo (2017) refers to the entire Central Gur group as Mabia.[5] The term Mabia is a portmanteau of the two lexical innovations ma- 'mother' + bia 'child'.[6]

The following is a classification of the Mabia (or Central Gur) languages from Bodomo (2017), as cited in Bodomo (2020).[6] Bodomo divides Mabia into three primary branches, namely West, East, and Central.

The term Mabia, instead of Gur, is also used by Naden (2021).[7]

Naden (2021) lists the languages of the Southern/Eastern Mabia group as Dagbani, Hanga, Kantoosi, Kamara, Kusaal (Kusasi), Mampruli (Mamprusi), Nabit, Nanun/Nanuni (also considered a dialect of Dagbani), and Talni.

Comparative vocabulary

Sample basic vocabulary of Gur languages:

Note: In table cells with slashes, the singular form is given before the slash, while the plural form follows the slash.

Language (Village)eyeearnosetoothtonguemouthbloodbonetreewatereatname
Proto-Central Gur[8]*me (Oti-Volta, Gurunsi)*ye (Gurunsi, Kurumfe)*ñam, *ñim (Oti-Volta, Kurumfe)*ʔob, *ʔo*tɪ (Oti-Volta, Gurunsi)*ni, *ne; *nã (Oti-Volta, Gurunsi)*di*yɪɗ, *yɪd (Oti-Volta, Gurunsi)
Kirma[9]yifelle / yifiŋatuŋu / tunnimɛlle / miẽŋanyilaŋu / nyienedyumelle / dyumiẽŋanuŋu / nunnitammãkogwoŋu / kogonnetibiu / tibinnihummawyere
Tyurama[9]yisiri / yinyatwõgo / tõnyameare / miaganyirogu / nyiranyanambene / namblaganogu / nõnyatoamakukugogu / kukunyatibikugu / tibinyinyahumaowuyiri / yiga
Proto-Gurunsi[10]*s₁l*di₂/e/o(l/n)*mi₁/e/o*de/u₂(l)*no₂/i₁*ca*ti₂/e*le/a/o; *ni₂/a/o*di₁*yi₂(l/d)
Lyélé[9]yir / yirazyẽ / zyãmyél / myélayéél / yélamédyolo / médyaalényi / nyagyalku / kurkyoo / kyéménẽẽgyuyil / yila
Proto-Oti–Volta[11]*ni / *nun*tʊ*me*n / *n*lɪm / *lam; *z₂ɪ (?)*noː*z₁ɪm*kob; *kpab*yi / *tiː*ɲa*dɪ*yi / *yʊ
Dagbani[12]ninitiba (pl.)nyeenyinizinlinoliʒimkɔbilitiakomdiyuli
Gourmanchéma (Fada N’Gourma)[9]numbu / nuni/ninitubli / tubamiali / miananyenli / nyenalambu / landinyoabu / nyoanesoamakpabli / kpabatibu / tidinyimadiyeli / yela
Mossi [Moore][9]nifu / ninitubre / tubanyõre / nyüyanyende / nyenazilemde / zilmanore / nwɛyazimkõbre / kõabatiɣa / tisekomdiyure / yuya
Frafra[13]nifo / ninitʊbre / tʊbayõore / yõayẽnnɛ / yẽnazɪlɪŋa / zɪlɪsɪnõorɛ / nõazɪɪmkõbrɛ / kõbatɪa / tɪɪsɪko'omdiyʊ'ʊrɛ / yʊ'ʊra
Dagaare [Dagara, Dagari][9]mimir / mimietour / tublnyoboɣr / nyobogɛnyim / nyimɛzel / zelɛnwor / nɛ̃kobr / kobɛtiɛ / tirkõwõ/kwõõdiyur / ye
Proto-Eastern Oti–Volta[14]*nuan-*tuo-*wuan-*nin-*dian-*nua-*yia-*kuan-*tie-*nia-*di-*yi-
Bariba[15]nɔnu, nɔniso ~ soa, -suwɛ̃rudonduyara, -nunɔɔ (pl.?)yemkukurudã̀ã̀ (pl.?)nimtēm̄yísìrū
Natioro (Timba)[16]ɲǎːpéjáɲàŋwàmṹnṹpwã́ɲĩ́nã́ŋɟɛ̄nɛ̃́mɛ̃́sáːpɛ́lːɛ̄sjã́ːmĩ́kàːkwàsúmwàlwāàʔɔ́lɪ̄ɲĩ́nã́
Natioro (Niansogoni)[16]ɲĩ́kúpjéjɪ̀pã̌mṹnũ̀kũ̌ɲínːáːlámːjáːnã́tə́mǎnã́ŋkwáːʃjɛ̂nṹmṹːìwɔ́nːã́ínːã́
Natioro (Faniagara)[16]ɲã́pʊ̀ːnã́ífwã̀nã́ʔṹnṹfã̀nã́ĩ́ndáːnã̀nĩ́ŋsáːnã̄nã́ːnã̀tímĩ́nĩ́kʊ́kánã̄síːkénã́nĩ́mĩ́nĩ̀ɛ̀wòlòjɛ́ínã́ːnã̄
Moyobe[17]mɛnɪ́bɛ̀ / ɪ̀nɪ́bɛ̀kùtù / àtùtíŋwáyí / áŋwáyítìní, kùní / anítìlénbí / àlénbíńnɔ́ɔ̀ / ínɔ́ɔ̀ményɛ́ / ányɛ́kúkɔ́hɔ́ / ákɔ́hɔ́kùléé / àléémɪ́nɪ̀li / lètìnyírì / ànyírì
Kulango (Bouna)[18]piege / piewutengu / tenusaŋa / sãumkaɣangbo / kaɣamdelengbo / delemunɔɔɣɔ / nuomtuɔmzukukpo / zukumdiɛkɔ / diɛnuyɔkɔyukɔ / yum
Tiefo[19]éjúēnɑ̃́tōēmɛ́ʔɛ́kɔ̃́ʔɔ̃́mʲɔ̃̄ēnwɔ̃́ʔɔ̃́ɟɑ̄lɑ̄, tɾɔ̃̄kɑ̄ūʔùʃɪ̃́ʔɪ́éjɛ́
Viemo (Diosso)[20]gĩ́ːɾɔ̀cũ̄ljɔ̀mūmúɾōkɑ̃́ːdɔ̄lɑ̃́ːtīɾɔ̄ŋɑ̃́kjíːmōfūfūɾɔ́sóbònúmōɔnũ̄ɔ̃índō
Viemo (Soumaguina)[20]ɟĩ́ɾɔ̄tuĩ́jɔ̄mūmṹɾɔ̄kɑ̃̄ːnɔ̄lɑ̃́tīɾɔ̄ɲɑ̄tíɛ̄mɔ̄fúfūɾɔ̄sóbɔ̀númɔ̄jṹnũ̄ɔ̃̄kɛ̀ĩ́dɔ̄
Samo, Maka (Toma)[21]toɲɛ̃lɛwɔmɑ̀ɑ̀mɑ́mbíː
Samo, Matya (Kouy)[21]jɛrːɛtorojiːnisɔ̃ːnɛnɛnɛmɪjɑ̀jɛrɛdɑ́ɑnebɑ́rè
Samo, Maya (Bounou)[21]ɲoːnì; jɛrɛtoroɲinijɛrɛsoleːnèmɑ̌jɑremuɑfɑ́bjèrè
Téénhinbiye / hinbutenike / tenumɪtɪyaka / mɪtɪyɔkamaka / kaamʊdelenge / delemunʊfɪya / nʊfɪyɔtɔbɔ (pl)kpoloko / kpolowodɪyaa / dɪwɔɔkɔ / ɔwɔyɪraa / yɪrɔ
Toussian, South [Win][9]nyi / nyɛnigi / nimene / menenãnyin / nyinɛnampar / namparnãṽiãʔ-lɛ / ṽiɛ-nɛ̃kəgbeke / kəgbalsesuo-lɛ / sesar-lɛnyõnyin
Toussian, North (Guéna-Kourinion)[9]nyi / nyɔni/nãn / ninã/nœnnãmle / mlənãnyen / nyennãnenpüœravia/ṽiã / wẽytiõ/tõkəble / kəblenâsepwel / sepyi
Siamou [Sɛmɛ][9]nya/nyábí/nyábità-syẽ̀ / tàsyẽ̀márnyèn / nyěndɛ / dɛ́kõ̀ / kẽtṍkpár / kpartimõ / timẽdiỹi
Mambar[9]nyíí / nyíînyuweŋ / nyuwɛyɛmunna / munnaʔagã / gãʔanyire / nyireenyu / nyüyiʃiʃikatyiɣe / katyiyeʃiɣe / ʃireloeʔoedimbaɣe / mbɛyɛ
Senar (Kankalaba)[9]nyini / nyinyẽynupaɣa / nupayfunan / funãgegẽ/gan / gãgẽnyini / nyirkenyuɣu / nyuysisyẽkɛkayige / katyiyetiɣe / tĩyi/tĩrDogodimɛɣɛ
Tenyer[9]yɛde/yade / yɛgyɛ/yagyɛdyigi / dyiimənɛ / məligɛnkan / nhagalnyinkan / nyẽhegalnye / nyeytunokyilige / kyilerikatyigi / katyirlɔgɔdimigɛ / mii

Numerals

Comparison of numerals in individual languages:[22]

ClassificationLanguage12345678910
BaribaBaatonum (1)tíaìruìtaǹnɛnɔɔbùnɔɔbù ka tía > nɔɔbatía (ka = and)nɔɔbù ka ìru > nɔɔbaìrunɔɔbù ka ìta > nɔɔbaìtanɔɔbù ka ǹnɛ > nɔɔbaǹnɛɔkuru
BaribaBaatonum (2)tiāyìruìta / yìtaǹnɛnɔ̀ɔbùnɔ̀ɔbâ tiā (5 + 1)nɔ̀ɔbá yìru (5 + 2)nɔ̀ɔbâ yìta (5 + 3)nɔ̀ɔbâ ǹnɛ (5 + 4)wɔkuru
Central Gur, Northern, BwamuBuamudòũ̀ɲuːtĩːnáːhònúhèzĩ̀ː (5 + 1)hèɲuː (5 + 2)hètĩː (5 + 3)dènúpílú
Central Gur, Northern, BwamuCwi Bwamudòònńɲūūnńɔlĩ̄īnńnáāhòóhòódwĩ̀ (5 + 1)hòòɲū (5 + 2)hɔ̀ɔ̀ˀlĩ̄ (5 + 3)dĩ̀í́ˀɓúrúù
Central Gur, Northern, BwamuLáá Láá Bwamuńɲɔńtĩńnɛ́hùanúhùezĩn (5 + 1)hòoɲu (5 + 2)hɔ̀ɔtĩ (5 + 3)dĩ̀inípíru
Central Gur, Northern, KurumfeKoromfé-ndom / ɡadɔmɪhĩĩɪtããɪnããɪnɔmɪhʊrʊɪpɛ̃ɛ̃ɪtɔɔɪfafi
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Buli-KomaBuli-yéŋ / wà-ɲībà-yɛ̀bà-tàbà-nààsìbà-nùbà-yùèbìbà-yòpɔ̄āīnāāniŋnèūk
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Buli-KomaKonnikààníàbɛ́lí / àlîàbátá / àtâàbánìsà / ànísààbánʊ̀ / ànʊ́ńyúóbìŋm̀pṍĩ̀ǹníŋ̀ / àníìŋ̀wɛ́m̀bâŋ
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, EasternBialicə̄rə̄- / cə̄rə̄má (counting)dyātāārī / tāārə̄nààsī / nààrə̄nùmhã̀dwàmpèléīnēīwáīpwíɡə̄
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, EasternDitammari (1)-béé, dèǹnì (counting)-dyá, dɛ́ɛ́, diání-tããtī-nàà-nùmmù-kūà-yīēkà-nì-wɛ̄[tā]píítà
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, EasternDitammari (2)dennidɛɛnitâati / tâadináànumukuɔnyiekɛnninwɛitɛpiitɛ
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, EasternMbelimeyɛ̃ndeyēdētāātēnaasinummudūodoodɛ̄ninyɛ̃̄wɛ̄īkɛ̄ piíkɛ
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, EasternWaamayònyɛ́ndítáárínáásìnùnk͡pàrùnbérénnɛ̃̀íwɛ̃̀ípííkà
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, GurmaGurmayèndó-lié-tà-nà-mù-luòbà-lèlé-nìː-yìapíìɡà
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, GurmaKonkomba-bàa-lèe-tàa-nāa-nmúu-lúub-lílé-niín-wɛ́ɛpíìk
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, GurmaMɛyɔ́pɛ (Sola)nni (-sɛ)-tɛ́tɑɑni (-tɑɑni)nnɑ (-nɑ)nnupũ (-nupũ)kouulṹ (-kpuulũ)sɛ́ɛ́i (-sɛɛi)kɛpɑhɑ (-pɑhɑ), mɛtɛ́ ɑ́mɛ we kɛfikɛlɛɛ́, mɛsɛ ɑ́mɛ we kɛfikɛfi
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, GurmaNateni (1)-cɔ̃̄, dèn, dènà (counting)-dɛ́ɛ́, dɛ́ńtã̄lī, tã̄dinàhĩ̀nùm̀kɔ̄lì, kɔ̀dìyēhìnīìwɔ́ìpítā
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, GurmaNateni (2)màcɔ̃́dɛ́ɛ́tãdinàhìnùm̀kɔ̀dìyehìniìwɔ́ìpíta
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, GurmaNgangam (1)mikpìɛkmmilíémńtańnànńŋùnńlùòbǹlòléǹnìínǹwɛpíík
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, GurmaNgangam (2)mibamilemitaminanmiŋunmiluobmiloleminiinmiwɛpiik
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma, MobaBimobayènn-lè-tà-ná-ŋmú-loòb-lòlé-niìn-yià
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma, MobaMobajènǹŋáńlé / ńléŋáńtāː / ńtāːŋánnâ / nnâŋáńmû / ńmûŋáńlɔ́ːb̀ / ńlɔ́ːb̀ŋáńlílé / ńlíléŋáńníːń / ńníːńŋáńwáī / ńwáīpíːɡ̀
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma, MobaNtchamǹ.-bá /-bɔ́, m̀-báá (enumerative)ǹ.-lí, ǹ-léé (enumerative)ǹ.-ta, ǹtàà (enumerative)ǹ.-nàà, ǹnàà (enumerative)ǹ.-ŋmòò, ŋ̀-ŋmòò (enumerative)ǹ.-lùù, ǹ-lùù (enumerative)ǹ.-lùlí, ǹlùlí (enumerative)ǹ.-nìì, ǹníí (enumerative)ǹ.-wá / -wɔ, ŋ̀wáá (enumerative)sààláá, sààláá (enumerative)
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma, NtchamAkaselemm̀bámbìléǹtàǹnààm̀ŋmɔ̀ǹlòòbèǹlòléǹɲììŋ̀wɛ̀ʔpʷíʔ
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, NootreNotreyómbónjéntàntáátínnáásínnúnyúapènpwɛ̀nniinwà / ŋwàpíá
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, NorthwestFarefareyénnótã́n náásín núún yòòbín yòpɔ́ín níín wɛ́ípíá
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, NorthwestMòoréyé/yémbreyì /yìibútã̀ /tã́abonáaseyòobéyòpoéníiwɛ́píiɡa
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, NorthwestSafalibaàyàʔàyîʔàtâʔànáásíànúúàyòòbíàyòpõ̀ĩ̂ànɪ́ɪ̀àwã̀ĩ̂pẽ́ẽ́, pĩ́ẽ́
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, NorthwestWalibʊ́ŋjɪ̀ŋ ('one thing') / jíntì ('one)ájì ('two thing') / jééátà / tààánááhì / nááhɪ̀ánú / nùùájʊ̀ɔ̀biɛ́ / jʊ̀ɔ̀bɛ́ájúpúì / jʊ̀púiánì / nììáwɛ́ɪ́ / wáìpíé / píé
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest, Dagaari-Birifor, BiriforMalba Biriforbõ-ƴén (bomƴén)áyiataánãanãnũunayʊɔbánũu-nɪ-áyi (5 + 2)ánũu-nɪ-ata (5 + 3)pié for birpié
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest, Dagaari-Birifor, BiriforSouthern Biriforboyænayiataanaaranuuayʊɔbayopoinaniinpie for birpie
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest, Dagaari-Birifor, DagaariNorthern Dagaarabõ-yen / bõe (thing-one)ayiataanaaranũuayʊɔbayɔpõe (six-one)anĩiawaɪ / pi-waɪpie
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest, Dagaari-Birifor, DagaariSouthern Dagaarebòn yéní / yenti-yé / ye-tà / ta-nádɪ / nadɪ-nù / nu-yʊ̀ɔ́ / -yʊ̀ɔ́bʊ́ / yʊɔ-yʊ̀ɔ́pɔ̃́ɔ̃́ / pɔ̃ĩ-nìì / nii-wáì / waɪpíé
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, SoutheastDagbani (Dagomba)ndààm, yín-ó, yín-í-yí-tá-náhí-nú-yóbù-yòpóìn-níì-wéypíá
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, SoutheastHanga-yɪnnɪ / lʊ̀ŋ̀kʷɔ́ʌ́yíʔʌ́tʰʌ́ʔʌ́nʌ́ːsɪʌ́nʊ́ʌ́yóːbʊ̀ʌ́yʌ́pʷòⁱʌ́níːʌ́wáⁱpʰíːʌ́
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, SoutheastKamarayínèáyiátaánâsɛánúáyɔ̀wíáyɔ̀poiánnîawàɛpíyá
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, SoutheastKantosiyénía-yía-táa-násía-núa-yóbùa-yàpóìa-níìa-wàipíá
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, SoutheastKusaalàɾàkṍʔ / àdàkṍʔàjíàtáànáasíʔànúàjɔ̀ɔbíʔ / àjɔ̀ɔbʊ́ʔàjɔ́póéʔáníiàwáíʔpíi
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, SoutheastMampruliyɪ́nní / ndààm (in counting)a-yía-táa-náásía-núa-yóóbùa-yòpɔ̃́ì / -yòpwèa-níìa-wã̀ypííyá
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Yom-NawdmNawdmm̩̀hénm̩̀ɾéʔm̩̀tâʔm̩̀náːm̩̀nûm̩̀ɾòːndím̩̀lèbléʔm̩̀nìːndím̩̀wɛ́ʔkwíʔɾí
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Yom-NawdmYom (Pila)nyə̌ŋ- / nyə̌rɣə--li-ta-nɛ̀ɛ̀sə̀-nù-lèèwə̀r-nùɣa -li ('five and two', ɣa > 'and')-li k͡pa fɛɣa (' two are not in ten ')nyə̌ŋ- /nyə̌rɣə- k͡pa fɛɣafɛɣa
Central Gur, Southern, DyanDyan (1)bɛ̃̀ɡ / bɪ̀ɛlèyèɲɔ̃̀yèthɛ̃̀sìyènàadìemàmɔ̀lɔ̀dũ̀ (5 + 1)mɔ̀lɔ̀ɲɔ̃̀ (5 + 2)mɔ̀lɔ̀thɛ̃̀sì (5 + 3)nĩ́kpó-cí-bèrè (10 - 1) ?nĩ́kpó
Central Gur, Southern, DyanDyan (2)bɛ̃ɡ / bɪɛleyenyɔ̃yethɛ̃siyenaadiemamɔlɔdũ (5 + 1)mɔlɔnyɔ̃ (5 + 2)mɔlɔthɛ̃si (5 + 3)nĩkpo-ci-bere (10 - 1) ?nĩkpo
Central Gur, Southern, Gan-DogoseDogosétìkpóʔìyɔ̰́ʔìsá̰a̰ʔìyḭ̀i̬ʔìwà̰aʔmà̰ nḭ̀ póʔ (5 + 1)mà̰ nḭ̀ yɔ̰́ʔ (5 + 2)mà̰ nḭ̀ sá̰a̰ʔ (5 + 3)mà̰ nḭ̀ yḭ̀i̬ʔ(5 + 4)ɡbùnè
Central Gur, Southern, Gan-DogoseKaansá (Kaansé)tʰik̩͡poɛɲɔ̰isãaɛɲeeɛmwãamaʔnik͡po (5 + 1)maʔniyɔ̃ (5 + 2)maʔnisãaʔ (5 + 3)k͡ponko (10 - 1) ?k͡pooɡo
Central Gur, Southern, Gan-DogoseKhisa (Komono)ílèŋád͡ʒɔ̃̀ŋátʰɔ̀ʔádàaánɔ̃̀nnɔ̀k͡pòŋ (5 + 1)nɔ̀́d͡ʒɔ̃̀ŋ (5 + 2)nɔ́tʰɔ́ʔ (5 + 3)nɔ̀dáa (5 + 4)hʊ̀ k͡pélé / sínʊ̃y
Central Gur, Southern, GrusiKassem (1)kàlʊ̀ǹlèǹtɔ̀ǹnāǹnūǹdʊ̀nǹpɛ̀nānānʊ̀ɡʊ̄fúɡə́
Central Gur, Southern, GrusiKasem (2)kàlʊ̀ǹlèǹtɔ̀ǹnāǹnūǹdʊ̀nm̀pɛ̀nānānʊ̀ɡʊ̄fúɡə́
Central Gur, Southern, GrusiKasem (3)kàlʊ/ dìdʊǎǹlè / ǹlèiǹtɔ̀ǹnāǹnūǹdʊ̃̀m̀pɛ̀ / m̀pwɛ̀nānānʊ̌ɡʊ /nǒɡofúɡə
Central Gur, Southern, GrusiLyéléèdùsə̀lyèsə̀tə̀sə̀nasə̀nuʃə̀ldù (5 + 1) ?ʃàlpyɛ̀ (5 + 2) ?lyɛlɛnə̀bɔ́ʃíyə́
Central Gur, Southern, GrusiNorthern Nuniùdùbìlə̀bìtwààbìnabìnubadùbàpàlɛlɛnìbufíɡə́
Central Gur, Southern, GrusiSouthern Nuninə̀dʊ̀bə̀lə̀bàtwàbànīānbònūbàrdʊ̀bàrpɛ̀nānānʊ̀ɡʊ́fúɡə́
Central Gur, Southern, GrusiPanaténɡíɲìícɔ́ɔ̀nàasínṍnnõ̀mpínõ̀ncóbàndáɟèefó
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, EasternBago-Kusuntuŋʊrʊk͡pák͡pábààlɛ̀bàtòòrobànásábàànʊ́lèèjòlʊ̀ŋlèɖìk͡pèèrèkàkààrè /ŋʊrʊk͡pák͡pá tá sàlá (10 -1)sàlá
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, EasternBogoŋ (Cala / Chala)-re-, rʊ, -dʊ́ndʊlʊŋ-la-tooro-náárá-nʊ́ŋlʊʊrʊlɪkaarɛjiŋináárá (4 + 4) ?saŋɡʊ́ɡifí
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, EasternDelodaalealaatooroanaaraanoŋlooronyetooro (10 - 3) ?ɡyanaara (2 x 4) ?kadaale (10 - 1) ?kufu
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, EasternKabiyékʊ́yʊ́mnàálɛ̀nàádozónàã́zákàɡ͡bã́nzìloɖòlʊ̀bɛ̀lùtoozonakʊ̀híu / náánʊ́wá
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, EasternLama (Lamba)kóɖə́mnásə̂lnàsìsɨ̀násə́násánásə́nálə̀ɖə̀naosanautɨsɨ (4 + 3)násə́nnásá (4 + 4)nàkòhʲú
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, EasternLukpakʊ̀lʊ̀mnaalɛ̀tòòsónaasákàk͡pásɪ̀náátòsò (2 x 3 ??)náátòsò m̀pɔ̀ɣɔ̀laɣá (6 + 1)pə́lé fɛ́jɪ́ (- 2)pɔ̀ɣɔ̀láɣáfɛ́jɪ́́ (- 1)náánʊ́á
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, EasternTem (1)káɔ́ɖesííɛ̀tóózonáázanʊ́ʊ́waloɖolʊbɛlutoozokéénííréfuú
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, EasternTem (2)káɔ́ɖesííɛ̀tóózónáázánʊ́ʊ́waloɖolʊbɛlutoozokéénííréfuú
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, WesternChakalidɪ́ɡɪ́máná / dɪ́ɡɪ́máŋáálìɛ̀átʊ̀rʊ̀ / átʊ̀lì / á-tòròànáásìāɲɔ̃̄állʊ̀rʊ̀ / állʊ̀lʊ̀àlʊpɛ̀ / lʊ́pɛ̀ŋmɛ́ŋtɛ́ldɪ́ɡɪ́tūū (10 - 1) ?
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, WesternDeg (Degha)beŋk͡paŋ / k͡pee (for counting only)anɛ / nɛɛatoro / tooroanaarɛ / naarɛanue / nueanʊmɛl / nʊmɛl (5 + 1)anʊanɛ / nʊanɛ (5 + 2)anʊatoro / nʊatoto (5 + 3)anʊanaarɛ / nʊanaarɛ (5 + 4)fi
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, WesternPaasaal (Passale)kɪ́dɪ́ɡɪ́ / dííŋbàlìyà / lìyàbòtò / tóóbànāā / náábɔ̀nɔ̀ŋ / nɔ́ɔ́ŋbàdʊ̀ / dʊ́ʊ́bàpɛ̀ / pɛ́ɛ́kyórí / kyóríníbí / níbífí / fí
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, WesternPhuie (Puguli)déò / dùdúmíʔɛ̃́ɛ̃́ʔárʊ̀ànɛ̃́ / ànɛ́ŋ ?ànɔ̃́ / ànɔ́ŋ ?ànṍ déò (5 + 1)ànṍ ʔɛ̃́ɛ̃́ (5 + 2)ànɔ̃́ ʔárʊ̀ (5 + 3)ànóŋ ànɛ̃́ / fí dùdúmí tʰõ̀
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, WesternWestern Sisaalabàlá / dɪ̀ɛ́nbɛ́llɛ́ / lɛ́bàtòró / tòróbànáá / náábɔ̀mmʊ̀ɔ́ / mʊ̀ɔ́bóldó / dóbálpɛ́ / pɛ́tʃòrínɛ̀mɛ́fíí
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, WesternSisaala Tumulungkʊ̀bàlá / dɪ̀áŋbàlɪ̀á / lɪ̀abàtórí / tóríbànɛ́sɛ́ / nɛ̀sɛ́bànɔ́ŋ / nɔ́ŋbàlídú / dúbàlɪ̀pɛ́ / pɛ́tʃòrínìbífíí
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, WesternSissalabalábɛllɛbotorobanábɔmmʊ́ɔ́balɡobalpɛcórínɛ́mɛ́
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, WesternTampulmadiiɡɛalɛɛwaatooraanaasianyuúnanɔɔràanɔpɛŋmɛnaasadiɡtó
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, WesternVaglak͡páŋ / k͡péé (when counting)ànɛ̀ɛ̀àhòròànáázʊ̀ànúèànʊ́mbɛl (bɛl a certain one )àníídàànɛ̀ɛ̀ámàntánnààzí / ŋmàntánnààzíkábɛl (ka to remain )
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, WesternWinyé (Kõ)ndonyɪ̃ɛntɔɔnnánwɔ̃́nɡonpiɛnpɔɔnlɛbɪfʊ̃́
Central Gur, Southern, Kirma-TyuramaCerma (Kirma)ǹdéiŋǹhã́ĩǹsíɛiǹnáàǹdîìníedìeí (5 + 1)níehã́ĩ (5 + 2)níisìɛí (5 + 3)nénnáà (5 + 4)cĩ́ŋcíelùó
Central Gur, Southern, Kirma-TyuramaTurkadẽẽnáhãlsiɛln̩nə̃̀n̩dinã́ndèin (5 + 1)nə̃́rə̃́hã̀l (5 + 2)nə̃́rə̃́siɛ̀l (5 + 3)dɛ̃̀ɛ̃̀sə́ (10 -1) ?nṹɔ̃́sɔ̃̀
KulangoKulango (1)tabílasããbenatʊrɔtãtã (5 + 1)tʊrɔfriɲuu (5 + 2)tʊrɔfrisãã (5 + 3)tʊrɔfrina (5 + 4)nuun
KulangoKulango (2)táàbílàsã̀ã̀bínã́tɔ́tɔ́rɔ́tàà (5 + 1)tɔ́rɔ́fíríɲũ̀ (5 + 2)tɔ́rɔ́fírísã̀ã̀ (5 + 3)tɔ́rɔ́fírínã́ (5 + 4)nṹnũ̀
KulangoBouna Kulangotaà, tãã̀bɪlà, nyʊʊ̀sãã̀naʔtɔ̀rɔ̀ fɪn taà, tɔrɔ fɪ(rɪ) nyʊʊ̀ (5 + 1)tɔ̀rɔ̀ fɪn bɪla (5 + 2)tɔ̀rɔ̀ fɪn sãã̀ (5 + 3)tɔ̀rɔ̀ fɪn na (5 + 4)nuùnu, nûnu, tɔtɔ bɪla, tɔtɔ nyʊʊ̀
LobiLobibìɛ̀lyɛnyɔyentʰeryɛnã́yɛmɔɪmàadõmakonyɔ (5 + 2)makõtʰer (5 + 3)nyʊ̌ɔr bìr pʰéro (10 - 1)nyʊ̌ɔr
Senufo, KaraboroEastern Karaboro (1)nɔ̀niʃyɔ̃̀ / ʃiɲ̀tã̀ã̀tíʃyàr /díʃyàr /ríʃyàrbwà / bwɔ̀kwaɲ̀kwa-sĩ̀ĩ̀ (lit: "a second six")kwa-tã̀ã̀ (lit: " a third six")kwa-ríʃyàr (lit: "fourth six")sĩʃye
Senufo, KaraboroEastern Karaboro (2)nɔ̀nīsyã̀ŋtã̀ãtésyàr / résyàrbwàkwāykwásĩ̀ĩkwátã̀àkwàrésyàrsẽ̄nsyē
Senufo, KaraboroWestern Karaboronɔ̀niʃintaàrtɪhyɛɛ̀rbwɔ̀k(ʋ)lɔ̀nklɔʃìnkwɔtàar̀wɔ̀dèfèr / wɔ̀def(ə)r ?síncíl
Senufo, KpalagaPalaka Senoufoniŋɡ͡besɔinŋtaanri = tããri ?jijilɛi = d͡ʒid͡ʒilɛi ?kanɡuruɡokuɡɔlɔŋkuɡɔlɔŋ sɔinŋ (5 + 2)kuɡɔlɔŋ taanri (5 + 3)kuɡɔlɔŋ d͡ʒid͡ʒilɛi (5 + 4)kɔ́jɛ
Senufo, NafaanraNafaanra Senoufonúnuçííntáárɛ̀ɟíɟírɛ̀kúnɔkɔ́ɔ̀nánù (5 + 1)kɔ́ɔ̀náçíín (5 + 2)kɔ́ɔ̀nátárè (5 + 3)kɔ́ɔ̀náɟirɛ (5 + 4)kɛ́
Senufo, SenariCebaara Senoufonìbínsīintāanrisīcɛ̄rɛ̄kāɡūnɔ̀kɔ̀rɔ́nī (5 + 1)kɔ̀rɔ́sīin (5 + 2)kɔ̀rɔ́tāanrì (5 + 3)k͡pǎjɛ̄rɛ̄ (5 + 4)kɛ́ɛ
Senufo, Suppire-MamaraMamara Senoufo (Minyanka)niɡĩ̀ / niɡĩ (second set from SIL)ʃɔ̃̀ɔ̃̀ / ʃũ̀ũ̀tããrè / tããriʃiʃyɛ̀ɛrɛ̀ / ʃiʃɛɛrɛkaɡuru / kaɡuroɡ͡baara / ɡ͡baaraɡ͡baa-ʃɔ̃̀ɔ̃̀ / ɡ͡baaraʃũũ (5 + 2)ʃɔ̃̀ɔ̃̀lake / ʃũ̀ũ̀lakɛ (2 to 10)niɡĩ̀fɔ̀kɛ / niɡĩlakɛ (1 to 10)kɛ / kɛ
Senufo, Suppire-MamaraShempire Senoufo (1)ninɡinʃuunnitaanrisicɛɛrɛkaɡuruɡ͡baaniɡ͡baʃuuni (5 + 2)ɡ͡bataanri (5 + 3)ɡ͡baɛɛrɛ (5 + 4)
Senufo, Suppire-MamaraShempire Senoufo (2)nanbinʃuunnitaanrisicɛɛrɛkaɡroɡ͡baaniɡ͡baʃuuni (5 + 2)ɡ͡bataanri (5 + 3)ɡ͡baɛɛrɛ (5 + 4)
Senufo, Suppire-MamaraSìcìté Senoufonìkĩ̀sɔ̃̀ɔ̃̀nì / sũ̀ũ̀nìtã̀ã̀rìsìcɛ̀ɛ̀rìkānkūròɡ͡bāārùɡ͡bārsɔ̃̀ɔ̃̀nìɡ͡bārtã̀ã̀rì / kāzɛ̄ɛm̀bēɡ͡bārsìcɛ̀ɛ̀rì / nìkĩ̀ndáʔá (10 - 1)kɛ̄
Senufo, Suppire-MamaraSupyire Senoufonìŋkìnʃùùnnìtàànrèsìcyɛ̀ɛ̀rèkaŋkuro (< 'fist ')baa-nì (5 + 1)baa-ʃùùnnì (5 + 2)baa-tàànrè (5 + 3)baa-sìcyɛ̀ɛ̀rè (5 + 4)kɛ̄
Senufo, Tagwana-DjiminiDjimini Senoufonuŋɡ͡baʃyɛntããritid͡ʒɛrɛkaŋɡuruɡokɔɡɔlɔnikɔlɔʃyɛn (5 + 2)kɔlɔtããri (5 + 3)kɔlɔd͡ʒɛrɛ (5 + 4)
Senufo, Tagwana-DjiminiNyarafolo Senoufonīɡbesīintāanrisīcɛrikōɡunɔ̀kɔ̀línī (5 + 1)kɔ̀lisīin (5 + 2)kàtāanrì (5 + 3)kàcɛ̄rì (5 + 4)kíɛ̀
Senufo, Tagwana-DjiminiTagwana Senoufonuɡ͡besyẽtãritityerekoɡununõlinasyẽ (5 + 2)natãri (5 + 3)natyere (5 + 4)kẽ / k͡prò
TeenTéén (Lorhon)tanɪnyoorsaanrnatɔtanɪ (lit: five one)tɔnyoor (lit: five two)tɔsaanr (lit: five three)tanbalˈpɔrwɔ (lit: one less than ten)ˈpɔrwɔ
TiefoTiéfo (1)ʔe diɛ̃ni (attributive use: dɛ̃̀)ɟɔ̃sã́ʔuʔɔ̃́ / ŋɔɔ (variant of Noumoudara)kã̀kã̀-dĩ (5 + 1)kã-ɟɔ̃ (5 + 2)kã-sá (5 + 3)kã-ʔuɔ̃́ (5 + 4)támúwá / kɛ̃
TiefoTiéfo (2)dɛ̃̀ / ʔë diɛ̃̀nijɔ̃sã́ʔuʔɔ̃́kã̀kã̀-dĩ (5 + 1)kã̀-jɔ̃ (5 + 2)kã̀-sá (5 + 3)kã̀-ʔuɔ̃ (5 + 4)tamʷúá / támú
TusiaNorthern Toussian (1)nāɣ, nāɣ, nāɣnīnìtɔ̄nɔ̀jã᷇klòkùnũ᷇kālèjkɔ̀tɔ̃̂kàjã̂bwɔ̀
TusiaNorthern Toussian (2)nṍṍkə̀nĩ́ŋnõ̀tṍṍnõ̀ĩ́jã̂klʊ̂kv̀v̀nə̃̀ŋ (5 + 1)kvììnĩ̀ (5 + 2)k͡pwɛ̀ɛ̀tṍ (5 + 3)k͡pààrĩ̀jã́ (5 + 4)sàbwɔ̀
TusiaSouthern Toussiannúkúnínɔ́tɔ̃́nɔ́ńyã́hkwlɔkénúkò (5 + 1)kwǎrninɔ (5 + 2)kwǎrtɔ̃́nɔ (5 + 3)kwǎryã́h (5 + 4)ɡbãm
ViemoViemo (Vigye)dũde [dʷũⁿde]niinĩ [niːnĩ]sãsĩ [sãsĩ]jumĩ [d͡ʒʷumĩ]kuɛɡe [kwɛɣe]kõnũrã [kõnũɾã]kõnĩse [kõnĩse]jumĩjɔ niinĩ [d͡ʒʷumĩd͡ʒɔ niːnĩ] 4 x 2 ?kwɔmĩdĩ fɛrɛyɔ [k͡pʷɔmĩⁿdĩ fɛɾɛjɔ] -1?kwɔmũ [k͡pʷɔmũ]
Wara-NatioroWarapúwòtĩ́náásúsùsúsírìpòsúrũ̌tó / sínĩ̀tósĩ̂tĩ́ (+ 3?)sĩ̂náású (+ 4 ?)kã̀ã̀sá

References

  • Manessy, Gabriel (1968/71) 'Langues voltaïques sans classes' in Actes du huitième congres international de linguistique africaine. [Congress was 1968, proceedings published 1971] Abidjan, Université d'Abidjan, 335-346.
  • Naden, Anthony J. (1989) 'Gur', in Bendor-Samuel, John & Hartell, Rhonda L. (eds) The Niger–Congo languages. A classification and description of Africa's largest language family. Lanham, New York, London: University Press of America, 140-168.
  • Roncador, Manfred von; Miehe, Gudrun (1998) Les langues gur (voltaïques). Bibliographie commentée et inventaire des appelations des langues. Köln: Rüdiger Köppe Verlag.
  • Williamson, Kay & Blench, Roger (2000) 'Niger–Congo', in Heine, Bernd & Nurse, Derek (eds.) African languages: an introduction, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 11-42.

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