South Plateau languages


The South Plateau languages, also known as Jilic–Eggonic, are spoken in central Nigeria. Eggon has 150,000 speakers and Jili perhaps 100,000.

Classification

Jilic and Eggonic are clearly valid groups. Their connection was proposed in Blench.
Two languages or dialects, Koro-Ija and Koro-Zuba, are said to be "nearly intelligible" with Jijili, but no language data exists.

Names and locations

Below is a list of language names, populations, and locations from Blench.
LanguageBranchDialectsAlternate spellingsOwn name for languageEndonymOther names Other names for languageExonymSpeakersLocation
AkeEggonicAkye, Aike354 ; 3000 Nasarawa State, Lafia LGA
EggonEggonic25 dialects are locally recognised although the status of these is unclearEgononumu EgonMo EgonMada Eggon, Hill Mada52,000 Nasarawa State, Akwanga, Nassarawa–Eggon and Lafia LGAs
Koro IjaJilicOne villageFederal Capital Territory, near Lambata
Koro ZubaJilicOne villageFederal Capital Territory, near Zuba
JiliJilicMegili, Migili LijiliJijili, Mijili Koro of Lafia50,000 Plateau State, Lafia and Awe LGAs
JijiliJilicTanjijiliUjijili pl. aJijiliKoro Funtu of Kafin Koro, Koro of ShakoyiAbout 8 settlements and probably some 8000 speakers Niger State, Chanchaga and Suleija LGAs, north from the road from Minna to Suleja around Kafin Koro