Eleme language

Eleme
Native to	Nigeria
Native speakers	(58,000 cited 1990)[1]
Language family	Niger–Congo? Atlantic–Congo Benue–Congo Cross River Eleme
Language codes
ISO 639-3	elm
Glottolog	elem1253

Eleme is a language spoken by Eleme people in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Eleme is a Niger-Congo language spoken by approximately 40-50,000 speakers in Rivers State in southeast Nigeria. It belongs to the Ogonoid (also known as Ogoni or Kegboid) language group, within the Cross River branch of Benue-Congo.^[2] Eleme language was originally divided into two mutual dialects of Nchia and Odido. Nchia spoken in six communities of Agbonchia, Akpajo, Alesa, Aleto, Alode and Ogale, while Odido dialect was spoken at Ebubu, Ekporo, Eteo and Onne, today, both dialects have submerged, with a few varying pronunciations.

A unique feature of Eleme is that it uses reduplication to negate verbs.^[3]

Writing System

Eleme alphabet (2011)^[4]

a

b

ch

d

e

ɛ

f

g

gb

gw

h

i

j

k

kp

kw

l

m

n

nw

ny

o

ɔ

p

r

s

t

u

w

y

ʼ

Nasal vowels are indicated with a tilde ⟨ã ɛ̃ ĩ ɔ̃ ũ⟩.

References

Works cited

• Eyi Ngulube, Isaac (2011). "The Eleme orthography". In Ozo-mekuri Ndimele; Tony Enyia (eds.). Orthographies of Nigerian languages: manual X. Nigeria Educational Research & Development Council. pp. 36–59.

Official languagesNational languagesRecognised languagesIndigenous languages

Indigenous languages (grouped by Nigerian state) Adamawa Baa Bacama Bali Bata Boga Bura Chamba Leko Daba Daka Dong Fali of Mubi Ga'anda Gaa Gude Gudu Holma Huba Hwana Hya Kamwe Kanakuru Kirya-Konzəl Kofa Koma Kpasam Kugama Kumba Lamang Longuda Margi Margi South Mumuye Ngwaba Nyong Nzanyi Psikyɛ Sukur Taram Teme Tso Vere Waja Wom Yendang Zizilivakan Akwa Ibom Anaang Ekit Ibibio Obolo Oron Bauchi Ɓeele Bole Bure Ciwogai Dass Dazawa Deno Dikaka Dulbu Galambu Gera Geruma Giiwo Guruntum Jalaa Jarawa Jimi Karekare Kariya Kir-Balar Kubi Kushi Kusur–Myet Kutto Kwaami Labir Longuda Mangas Mburku Miya Pa'a Piya Polci Shiki Siri Tso Warji Zangwal Zumbun Bayelsa Izon Epie Urhobo-Isoko Southeast Ijo Benue Eggon Igede Borno Afade Bura Cibak Cineni Dghwede Glavda Gude Guduf-Gava Gvoko Jara Jilbe Kamwe Kanakuru Lamang Maaka Mafa Margi Margi South Nggwahyi Putai Tera Wandala Yedina Cross River Abanyom Efik Mbe Mbembe Delta Urhobo-Isoko Ika Izon Isoko Ukwuani Uhrobo Edo Afenmai Ishan Bini Gombe Awak Bangwinji Bole Dadiya Jara Kamo Ngamo Pero Tangale Tera Tula Waja Jigawa Bade Teshenawa Kaduna Adara Ahwai Anib Atsam Ayu Berom Bu-Ninkada Bina Bishi Cori Doka Dungu Duya Ekhwa Gbagyi-Gbari Gwandara Gyong Hasha Hausa Hyam Ikulu Jju Kaivi Kinuku Koonu Kuzamani Mada Mala Nghan Nikyob-Nindem Ninzo Numana Nungu Nyankpa Ruma Sambe Sha Shamang T'kurmi Timap TiSeni Tivori Toro Tugbiri-Niragu Tumi Tyap (Fantswam, Gworog, Sholyio, Takad, Tyap Mabatado, Tyecharak, Tyuku) Vono Wachi Zhire Kano Ɗuwai Hausa Tikurmi Kebbi Cipu Damakawa Hun-Saare Kogi Basa-Benue Bassa Nge Igala Nupe Oworo Kwara Kakanda Kupa Nupe Nasarawa Ake Alumu Basa-Benue Duhwa Eggon Hasha Jili Toro Niger Asu Bariba Cipu Gbagyi Gwandara Jijili Kakanda Nupe Pongu Ondo Itsekiri Izon Ukaan Plateau Barkul Berom Bogghom Bole Cakfem-Mushere Dass Fyam Fyer Goemai Horom Izere Jorto Koenoem Kofyar Kulere Miship Montol Mundat Mwaghavul Ngas Pe Pyapun Rigwe Ron Sha Sur Tal Tambas Tarok Tyap (Takad) Yankam Yiwom Rivers Abua Baan Biseni Defaka Degema Ekpeye Eleme Engenni Gokana Ijaw Ikwerre Kalabari Khana Kugbo Nkoroo O’chi’chi Obolo Obulom Odual Ogba Ogbogolo Ogbronuagum Ogoni Okodia Oruma Tee Ukwuani-Aboh-Ndoni Taraba Baissa Fali Bete Buru Dadiya Donga Kholok Kpati Laka Lufu Mumuye Nyam Nyingwom Pangseng Rang Tarok Waja Waka Yendang Yoti Yobe Bade Bole Ɗuwai Karekare Ngamo Ngizim

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