Ekpeye language

(Redirected from Ekpeya language)

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.

Ekpeye
ẹkpeye[1]
Native toNigeria
RegionRivers State
EthnicityEkpeye people
Native speakers
226,000[citation needed][2]
Niger–Congo?
Language codes
ISO 639-3ekp
Glottologekpe1253

Writing system

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Ekpeye alphabet[1]
a b bh ch d dh e g gb gw h i j k kp kw
l m n nw ny o p s sh t u w wh y z zh

Phonology

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Vowels

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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

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Ngulube, Isaac (2011). "Ekpeye Orthography". Orthographies of Nigerian Languages. IX. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  2. ^ Ekpeye at Ethnologue (21st ed., 2018)  
  3. ^ Blench, Roger. "A reconstruction of the phonology of proto-Igboid".