Jarawa language (Nigeria)


Jarawa is the most populous of the Jarawan languages of northern Nigeria. It is a dialect cluster consisting of many varieties.

Phonology

  • /β/ only appears as a marginal phoneme.
  • only appears in non-word-initial syllables.
  • Sounds /n, t, l, r/ can be heard as palatal or retroflex in word-final position. /k/ can also be heard as uvular in the same position, and may also alternate with or .
  • Sounds /k͡x, ɡ͡ɣ/ can be heard as fricatives or in intervocalic position.
FrontCentralBack
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Near-close
Mid
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  • Sounds /ɛ, ɔ/ only appear after glides.

Dialects

Jarawa dialects are:
  • Zhár
  • Zugur
  • Gwak
  • Ndaŋshi
  • Dòòrì
  • Mbat
  • Mùùn
  • Kantana
  • Dàmùl
Kantana may be a distinct language.
Blench lists these varieties as dialects of Jar.