Yebu language

Yebu (language name: Yiin Yebu;[2] also known as Awak or Awok) is one of the Savanna languages of Kaltungo LGA in Gombe State, northeastern Nigeria.

Yebu
Awak
Native toKaltungo LGA, Gombe State, eastern Nigeria
Native speakers
(6,000 cited 1995)[1]
Language codes
ISO 639-3awo
Glottologawak1250

There are five distinct dialects corresponding to each of the original five settlements that had been spoken on the Awak Hill. Yebu is currently spoken in the plains rather than in the speakers' ancestral territory of Awak Hill.[3]

Villages

Yebu villages according to Blench (2019):[2]

Village nameIPAHausa/Fulfulde nameNotes
Bwaraɓʷǎrâ
FekaféːkâJauro Gotel70% Yebu
FunfúùnBagaruwa
Kewurkʲèwúr
Kunggekùjèŋí
Kurankūrân
Kwabilakɛkʷàplākē
Momidimòmīdī
Soblongsòlóŋ
Tanggatàŋgá
WuyakaɓᶣāákáSabon Layi
Yeri-Tayotàːjó jèrí
Cwelangiʧʷélàŋí
Yeboje᷆bǒ

Fulani villages that have Yebu chiefs are Tɔrɛ, Langgarɛ, and Lugayidi.[2]

Hausa villages that have Yebu chiefs are Daura, Dundaye, Salifawa, Dogon Ruwa (mixed Hausa and Yebu village), Garin Bako, Garin Korau, and Garin Barau.[2]

Other languages spoken in the area are Waja, Kamo, Tangale, and Tula.[2]

Phonology

Yebu exhibits vowel length contrast, although it is uncommon in the language. It also has consonant gemination. There are six phonetic tones derived from three phonetic tone heights:[2]

  • High ʹ
  • Mid ˉ
  • Low ˋ
  • Rising Low-High ˇ
  • Rising Mid-High ᷄
  • Falling High-Low ˆ

References
  1. Yebu at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015)
  2. Blench, Roger. 2019. Aspects of the phonology and grammar of the Yebu (Awak) language in Nigeria.
  3. Kleinewillinghöfer, Ulrich. 2014. The languages of the Tula – Waja Group. Adamawa Languages Project.
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