Yiwom language

Yiwom (Ywom), also known as Gerka or Gerkawa by the Hausa,[2] is a Chadic (Afro-Asiatic) language spoken in Plateau State, Nigeria.

Yiwom
Gerka
Pronunciation[jʷom]
Native toNigeria
RegionPlateau State
Native speakers
14,000 (2000)[1]
Language codes
ISO 639-3gek
Glottologyiwo1237

Sociolinguistic background

Ywom was formerly much more widespread, with Ywom toponyms found in southern Tarok-speaking areas.[2] Roger Blench (2013)[3] reports that Ywom is spoken in Hyel Ywom town and nearby hamlets. Many Ywom speak Jukun and Tarok as additional languages.[3] Due to influence from Plateau languages, Ywom has various phonological features that are considered unusual for a West Chadic language, such as labiovelar consonants.[2]

Phonology

Tones are at least high and low. Mid tone may be allophonic. Rising and falling tones are probably restricted to sequences.

Vowels are /i e a ɨ ə u o/. There may also be an ?/ɯ/. Three vowels are long, /aa ee ɨɨ/.

Consonants are:

ɓɗ
p bt dc ɟk ɡkp ɡbɢʔ
f vθs zʃ ʒʃʲɣh
mnɲŋ
ʙ̪l r
jw

Syllable-initial consonant clusters are Cw, Cj, Cr and Cl. NC also occurs; the N takes its own tone.


References
  1. Yiwom at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. Blench, Roger. 2017. Current research on the A3 West Chadic languages.
  3. Blench, Roger. 2013. However did Ywom become so strange?.


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