| Atlantic–Congo | |
|---|---|
| Geographic distribution: |
subsaharan Africa |
| Linguistic classification: | Niger–Congo
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| Subdivisions: |
Fali (Adamawa)
Lafofa (Kordofanian)
Talodi–Heiban (Kordofanian)
Savannas (provisional)
? Laal
|
| Ethnologue code: | 69-16 |
| ISO 639-5: | alv |
In the classification of African languages, the Atlantic–Congo languages constitute the core of the Niger–Congo family, with the noun class systems stereotypical of that family. They comprise all of Niger–Congo but Mande, Dogon, Ijoid, and part of Kordofanian. Mukarovsky's West-Nigritic corresponded roughly to modern Atlantic–Congo.
The Atlantic–Congo languages outside Kordofan have traditionally been divided into Atlantic and Volta–Congo branches, but it is doubtful that either is a valid genealogical node.
It the infobox at right, the languages which appear to be the most divergent (Senufo, Kru) at placed at the top, whereas those closer to the core (Volta–Niger and Benue–Congo: Nigerian and Bantu) are near the bottom. The erstwhile Atlantic branch has been broken up into Senegambian, Bak, Mel, Gola, and Limba. If the proposed Savanna (Voltaic–Adamawa) branch does not prove to be a valid node, the tree will be even more complex.
There are a few poorly attested languages, such as Bayot and Bung, which may prove to be additional branches.
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