Kainji languages

Kainji
Geographic
distribution:
Kainji Lake, Nigeria
Linguistic classification:

Niger–Congo

Subdivisions:
  • Reshe
  • core Kainji
Glottolog: kain1275[1]

The sixty or so Kainji languages are spoken by about 900 000 people in Nigeria. Four of the largest are Tsuvadi (150 000), Cishingini and Tsishingini (100 000 each)—all from the Kambari branch; and Clela (= C'lela, Lela) (100 000), of the Duka branch.

Classification

The most divergent of the Kainji languages are Resh, Laru, and Lopa. Subclassification of the other branches is not yet clear. A division between East and West Kainji is no longer maintained.

References

  1. Nordhoff, Sebastian; Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2013). "Kainji". Glottolog. Leipzig: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.