Dendi language
Dendi is a Songhay language used as a trade language across northern Benin. It forms a dialect cluster with Zarma and Koyraboro Senni but it is heavily influenced by Bariba.
Dendi has been described as a four-tone language.
Distribution
Dendi is mainly spoken in Northern Benin, but also in other parts of Benin, and neighbouring countries. The Dendi people are the main group in the Departments of Alibori, Borgou, Donga, and Atakora.In Nigeria, the Dendi people are found in Bordering States, and in other parts of Nigeria. They are usually referred by the Hausa name Dendawa.
Phonology
Consonants
- may also be heard as a tap.
- is only a marginal phoneme.
- may be heard as palatal when before front vowels.
- may also be heard with in complementary distribution.