The Ninkyop Language of Central Nigeria and Its Affinities

The Ninkyop language

Central Nigeria and its affinities

[DRAFT CIRCULATED FOR COMMENT -NOT FOR CITATION WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE AUTHOR

Roger Blench Mallam Dendo 8, Guest Road Cambridge CB1 2AL United Kingdom Voice/ Fax. 0044-(0)1223-560687 Mobile worldwide (00-44)-(0)7967-696804 E-mail [email protected] http://www.rogerblench.info/RBOP.htm

This printout: January 7, 2006

R.M. Blench Ninkyop Wordlist Circulated for comment TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 1 2. LOCATION, HISTORY AND SOCIOLINGUISTIC SITUATION...... 1 2.1 Nomenclature ...... 1 2.2 Location and settlements...... 1 2.3 Language status ...... 1 2.4 Ninkyop culture and history...... 1 2.5 Existing publications ...... 1 3. PHONOLOGY...... 1 3.1 Vowels...... 1 3.2 Consonants...... 3 3.3 Tones ...... 4 4. MORPHOLOGY ...... 4 4.1 Nouns...... 4 5. LEXICAL COMPARISON AND THE CLASSIFICATION OF NINKYOP ...... 8 6. NINKYOP WORDLIST...... 9 REFERENCES ...... 35

TABLES

Table 1. Ninkyob nominal plural strategies 4 Table 2. Prosodic alternations in Ninkyob nouns 5 Table 3. Suppletive plurals in Ninkyob 6

i Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist 1. Introduction

This is an annotated wordlist of the Ninkyop language based on work by Roger Blench and and Barau Kato with Hauwa Kadima on 3-5th November 2005. It is intended to be a basis for gathering further information on the language.

2. Location, history and sociolinguistic situation

2.1 Nomenclature

The Ninkyop language is known in previous literature as Kaningkon, and is generally treated as part of a cluster with Nindem and Kanufi.

2.2 Location and settlements

Ninkyop is spoken in eleven villages in Kaduna State, Nigeria including Bakin Kogi, Gerti and Amere.

2.3 Language status

2.4 Ninkyop culture and history

Under the name Kaningkon, the Ninkyop are described in

2.5 Existing publications

The only document available on Ninkyob is a phonology by Kadima & Jerzyk (n.d.), an unpublished study prepared in the 1990s. Rob Koops (p.c.) apparently prepared a study of morphophonological changes in verbs, but this appears to be lost. Hausa Kadima attended ICAL in Jos in 1999 and a study of noun classes may exist in NBTT records.

Two primers were prepared as a result of some of the work with Rob Koops.

3. Phonology

Some of the examples of contrast in the phonology of Ninkyop are based on Kadima & Jerzyk (n.d.).

3.1 Vowels

Ninkyop has seven phonemic vowels;

1 Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist Front Central Back Close i u Close-Mid e o Open-Mid ɛ ɔ Open a

Examples contrasting open and close mid-vowels

ɛ/e gɛd show off ged tooth decay ɔ/o sɔ drink so bathe

Ninkyop has long and short vowels, represented by doubling the vowel. For example;

The orthography used in the existing primers uses ‘oo’ for /o/ and ‘ee’ for /e/. This convention is not adopted here.

Ninkyop has five corresponding nasalised vowels;

Front Central Back Close ĩ ũ Open-Mid ɛ ̃ ɔ̃ Open ã

Examples of contrast as follows;

i/ĩ Si rat Sĩ small u/ũ su treetop sũ be full ɛ/ɛ̃ rɛ stomach rɛ̃ talk against ɔ/ɔ̃ vɔ rain vɔ̃ buzzing sound a/ã sa brag sã accustomed to

Nasal vowels are much rarer than their oral counterparts, while VN sequences are common. Either nasal vowels are developing from such sequences or they are gradually being lost. Although this vowel system is identical to that of Mada, the other language in the Ninzic group to have lost its nominal affix system, no regular correspondences have been found and it is likely that these developments are independent.

2 Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist 3.2 Consonants

Ninkyop consonants are as follows:

Bilabial Labio- Alve- Alveop Palat Velar Labial- Glottal dental olar alatal al velar Plosive p b t d c j k g kp gb Nasal m, ᶆ n ¯ ŋ Fricative ɸ f v s z ʃ ʒ ɣ  h Approximant y w Tap r Trill rr Lateral Approximant l

/rr/ represents a rolled ‘r’. These only occur in morpheme-final position. Nonetheless they appear to contrast with the tap /r/.

/ᶆ/ represents an explosive bilabial nasal. The lips open with an audible pop when it is articulated. It occurs in the following words;

Ground ᶆwǐ Joy ᶆwârr Swallow ᶆwér Inside ᶆyìŋ

// represents a /w/ with frication. The earlier analysis posited a voicing contrast between /x/ and /ɣ/; while /ɣ/ certainly occurs, it may // corresponds to /x/. // is rare and only occurs in;

Fire ɔ̂r cf. Bu wuru, Ce uwù Rain ìɔr cf. Ce àwç̀rɔ̀, Bu iwulu Ten órr

One piece of evidence that this has developed from /w/ rather than being a reduction of /x/ is that it corresponds to /w/ in other Ninzic languages (see cognates above).

The plosives are non-contrastive in final position and in medial position in some compounds;

p/b t/d k/g

These are consistently transcribed as the voiced b/d/g in this list. However, existing materials are somewhat inconsistent and the name of the people, for example, is usually written Ninkyop. In addition, usual orthographic traditions in this region for neighbouring languages tend to prefer p/t/k.

3 Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist 3.3 Tones

The tone system of Ninkyop is complex due to morphophonemic alterantions. The underlying system has three tone heights, e.g.

zíg row of ridges zig knife zìŋ giving gift

There is also a rising tone;

yǔŋ love ᶆwǐ ground ɣwǒm old person and a falling tone;

ᶆwârr joy nʒôr¯ horn ngû feather

The falling tone is much rarer than the rising tone.

A low-mid tone that occurs only in words of two syllables or more. Examples;

ǹjɔr evening nshid tick nyúŋZyɛ animal

4. Morphology

4.1 Nouns

The analysis of Ninkyob noun morphology depends on what view is taken of its history. The number of processes that occur in singular/plural alternation are as follows;

Table 1. Ninkyob nominal plural strategies

Prefixing typically i-, N- (homorganic nasal) Prosody change palatalisation added, deleted, alternates Tone change Consonant alternation root-initial and final Reduplication of initial CV morpheme Morpheme alternation only for persons

Typically, these also occur in both nominalisations of verbs and in verbal plurals.

4 Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist Prefixing

The range of prefixes in Ninkyob is very limited and it is most likely these were recent additions to the language, although they are clearly an old feature in Plateau as a whole. Singular/plural alternations can be made both by addition and deletion of prefixes.

Gloss s. pl. +i- compound baŋ ìbyaŋ hole in ground du ìdyu -i- toad ìjarg járg snake (generic) ìɣwyǎ ɣwyá +N- place sóŋ ǹsoŋ chief tum ǹtùm -N- earthworm njar¯ jár¯

Prosody change

Typical processes in prosodic change are addition or deletion of –y-, loss of –w (rare and only where a nasal is added in the plural) and alternation of w/y (Table 2);

Table 2. Prosodic alternations in Ninkyob nouns Gloss s. pl. +y Friend ɣwɛ́ɛ́ ɣwyɛ́ɛ́ Wing mgba m̀gbyà -y Grave tyókpàg tókpág Head tyó tó Shoulder m̀gbyà mgba -w Bow twa ǹta Man nirwóm niróm w/y Firewood kwón kyón Nail (Finger/toe) ǹfwàb ǹfyàb Grindstone (lower) nwa ìnya

In one intriguing example, w/y alternate directly, and could be analysed as eroded prefix alternations, but probably represent the erosion of prefixes.

dust pl. haze wud yúd

External parallels in the Ninzic group (Ninzo ìhúr, Ce ìhut) suggest that the root was originally h- initial (and this is generally derived from k- or x-) although reduction may already have taken place (cf. also Bu iwuru).

The examples are chosen to illustrate minimal prosodic alternation, but it is noticeable that many nouns adding –y-, also add an i- prefix;

5 Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist quiver gyɔ́rr igyɔ́rr rope rìg ìryǐg grindstone (lower) nwa ìnya stomach rɛ̃́ ìryɛ

This is here interpreted as a copying of the vowel as part of a renewal of the affix system. The absence of any u- prefix reflects the absence of –w- as a plural prosody.

Tone change

Many possible tone changes occur, but the great majority involve some pattern of raising between singular and plural. The common Plateau pattern, whereby the whole word is raised a tone is also attested in Ninkyob.

Gloss s. pl. Road ǹkim nkím Ancestors rim rím Shadow jǐb jíb Pig ledè léde Mosquito yò yó

Consonant alternation

There are three patterns of consonant alternation in Ninkyob. Many nouns concerning persons have single, irregular alternations that seem not to occur elsewhere in the lexicon. The v/m alternation in ‘child’ is common in Plateau but the others listed below seem to be unique to Ninkyob.

Table 3. Suppletive plurals in Ninkyob Gloss s. pl. Child vyen myeŋ Woman ɣwá m̀bya Grandchild wárr árr Daughter vén mà yèrrì mân hw/k is the only classic alternation, also occurring in neighbouring languages such as Hyam. The final –b in ‘door’ is attested in one other word.

Stick ǹhwyɛ̀nǹkyɛ̀n Hoe small hwár ǹkar Door níhwii nikíb

6 Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist -d/-s occurs only with body parts;

Eye yíd yís Buttocks tìd tìs Tear yǐd yǐs

Reduplication of initial CV morpheme

Gloss s. pl. father te tité issue/news bín bébín stone cicá titá

As a productive process this is now very rare, but some words suggest frozen reduplicated prefixes, for example;

Gloss s. pl. Chicken kikyɔ̌ kíkyɔ Owl ryǔryug ryúryug Housefly ǹsinsiŋ ńsinsiŋ

Morpheme alternation ni-/bà-

The principle base of morpheme alternation is in the case of persons, particularly professions, where the prefix alternates regularly. These morphemes must be bound and resemble productive prefixes in other Plateau languages, so it is reasonable to present them as either a relic of a more complex system or else rebuilt on the basis of neighbouring languages.

Gloss s. pl. Hunter nityag bàtyag Thief nijìb bàjíb Blacksmith niryág bàryág

Comparable alternations apply in the related Bu language;

Hunter ni-tak bi-tak Doctor nEtç bEtç

A striking exception, however is; man nirwóm niróm where the ni- is now unproductive and Ninkyob now uses the more common loss of labialisation.

7 Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist 5. Lexical comparison and the classification of Ninkyop

8 Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist 6. Ninkyop wordlist

NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 1. Tree (generic) kwón ǹkyon also ‘stick, pestle’. cf. Kulu í-kçN$, Izere kâkç@n, Hasha iko, Shall kun, Sur kon, Yangkam koon, Tarok akún ‘firewood’. This root is widespread in Niger- Congo, often meaning ‘firewood’. + 2. Leaf ǹvù ǹvyù cf. Ce ku-vu , Bu vuvu, also T´su avuvu ‘branch’, 3. Root ngâr ngyàr This probably corresponds to ‘branch’ in other Ninzic languages, e.g. cf. Ce ku-gA$, Mada nggākì 4. Branch mfwâp m̀fyàp 5. Top su — 6. Bark (of tree) kukup kúkup also ‘shell’. cf. Alumu, Toro ùkùkù, Ninzo u- kpùkpúlà 7. Thorn ntɔ́n ncɔ́n cf. Yeskwa i-dçk, Ningye ntu, Alumu tòtò, Hasha i- tyok, Ce I$-tItç$, Mada ncw´#r 8. Grass (generic) gá — cf. Ninzo agígá, Bu giga, Ce ku-gá, 9. Vine (generic) ǹgyun ngyun 10. Mushroom ǹzyûŋ nzyúŋ cf. Ningye ju, Bu juju 11. Water-lily 12. Algae dyὲdyɛ̃r ɛ̃n 13. Seed/stone/pip bye byè bye means ‘bloodline’, ‘tribe’, ‘language group’. cf. + Ningye be, Toro biro, Alumu biro , Shall biri, 14. Seed of grain yɔrr — 15. Charcoal m̀brwìŋ — cf. Mada mbrī, Also mbrwíŋ = ‘shield’ 16. Dust wud yúd cf. also ‘sand’ yúd = ‘haze’. myǐ is dust on skin, clothes. cf. Bu iwuru, Ninzo ìhúr, Ce ìhut, 17. Dirt ryíg 18. Ashes ǹtwɔ̀ŋ — cf. Niger-Congo #ntoN 19. Rubbish-heap bryum bryúm 20. Mud pwèp — cf. Ningye rankyEp 21. Clay ǹtwèm — cf. Bu ntEmE, Ce ku-nté, 22. Dew m̀mwɛ̀rɛ̀ŋ mwɛŋ cf. Ninzo àmé, Bu mmE, Hasha eme, Rukul mmaŋ, Tarok ìmìmyàŋ, Yaŋkam myaŋ but almost certainly going back to a Niger-Congo root #me- 23. Stone cicá titá #ta is a widespread Niger-Congo root 24. Sand wud yúd cf. also ‘dust’ yúd = ‘haze’. 25. Smoke ǹsɛŋ — nsɛ́ŋ bee-sting, scorpion pincer. cf. Bu EntE, Ce Incí, Ningye ntεŋ 26. Fire ɔ̂r — cf. Ninzo ùrú, Bu wuru, Ce uwù,

-9- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 27. Water màsid masid ? meaning of plural. cf. Ninzo masiri, Bu mma, Cara mal, Horom bamal, also Ura mò and Bokyi ç-mo. Also in Chadic: Tala maal, Buli màl. Words for ‘water’ with ma- are Africa-wide and may derive from the old ma- class-prefix for liquids. 28. Rain ìɔr — cf. Ce àwç̀rɔ̀, Bu iwulu, Ningye wɔrSu 29. Rain shower vɔ́ ??? 30. Cloud nhwá ìɔ́r nhwá or 31. Lightning ŋyɛ̀m ìor 32. Rainy Season mèkyod mekyod 33. Dry season rìʒywa riʒywa ìʒywǎ ‘snake’ 34. Harmattan 35. Year nsε̃ ńsyɛ̃ ǹsɛ̃ borassus palm sp., necklace. cf. Bu isE, Berom Sēy pl. neSey. Probably also Hausa Sekara 36. Today reŋ — also = ‘bitter’. cf. Ningye rɛŋ 37. Yesterday rɛ̂ŋ, rɛŋí — cf. Bu ɛ̃ri, Rukul irwɛ, 38. Tomorrow m̀mbweèr cf. Bu mbrɛ, Ce kambàlà, 39. Morning mbwèèr 40. Evening ǹʒòr 41. Dawn ǹkaǹkàŋ mbwèèr 42. Day có rìg tó rig 43. Night túg — cf. widespread #tuk- forms 44. Moon/month nhwá nhwyà also ‘shame’. cf. Bu ɛhwa, Ningye nkwa 45. Sun rìg ìryig cf. Ningye ri. 46. Star(s) ǹshɛrr nshɛ́rr cf. Ce ìntEt, Bu ɛnzɛ 47. Wind ǹŋú nŋú Bu wuŋvu, 48. God rìg — cf. ‘sun’ 49. Sky súruŋ surúŋ cf. Ningye kpaSukur, Bu iSu, 50. World máʒɛ — 51. Ground ᶆwǐ cf. Ninzo ímímí, Ningye mEmmE, Tarok mbin, 52. Large River múntug muntúg 53. Stream gwob ìgyob 54. Forest 55. Mountain gbyo gbyó cf. Ningye bo 56. Hill gbúg m̀bug cf. Ningye nkugbu, Ce ìgbul, 57. Bush tútùd 58. Bush by river túg 59. Row of ridges zíg 60. Farm ʒé ǹʒɛ cf. Bu iʒə, Ninzo i-ZuZú, Ake asã, Jijili ise,

-10- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 61. Farm near river kpãĩ 62. Threshing ground nhwíŋ 63. Field 64. Market* kàsuwa < Hausa 65. Compound I baŋ ìbyaŋ 66. Compound II m̀pop m̀póp 67. Room I bud byid 68. Room II hwí ǹkib ? 69. Wall (of room) mbónsĩrĩ mbónsĩŕ ĩ́ 70. Thatch roof ǹshìnshen nshínshen 71. Granary kpò m̀kpyò 72. Well ríjiya < Hausa 73. Road ǹkim nkím 74. Path nhwíŋ 75. Village/settlement syòŋ 76. Town séb 77. River-bank gyàn màsid 78. Swamp/wetland rwɛ́g ìryɛg 79. Place I kpɛ̀ɛ̀ 80. Place II sóŋ ǹsoŋ 81. Person/people nisid nisidí 82. Man nirwóm niróm cf. Fyem róm pl. ∫arom but this is a common Benue- Congo root for ‘man/male’, ‘person’ (see discussion in BCCW, II) + 83. Woman ɣwá m̀bya cf. Bu uwa pl. imba, Ce u-wa pl. I@-mba, + 84. Child vyen myeŋ cf. Tarok ován ‘children’, Bu ivrE, Ce u-vIn pl. I@- ŋmI@n, 85. Husband róma nirómân the root ro- obligatorily takes a possessive pronoun. ma =his, man = theirs. cf. ‘man’ but note that the s./pl. alternation no longer involves loss of labialisation. 86. Wife mba m̀bya cf. ‘woman’ 87. Widow ɣwán hwyár mban hwár 88. Young man m̀boŋ mboŋ 89. Young girl m̀boŋ yer mboŋ yer ɣwa ɣwa 90. Old person ɣwǒm, ɣwóm, ɣworǒm ɣwóróm 91. Father te tité

-11- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 92. Mother yá jín, jijín cf. Bu, Ningye iya, . Also widespread in Afroasiatic e.g. Hausa iya 93. Barren woman ɣwa kyúr mba kyúr 94. In-law rwɛd ryɛd 95. Co-wife nhúb 96. Relations ned ìnyèd 97. Ancestors rim rím cf. Ningye rim, Tarok ùrìm, Sur rum 98. Grandparents male ngungwɔ́ŋ — 99. Grandparents gùgwo gugwo female 100. Grandchild wárr árr 101. Maternal uncle gyi 102. Brother zema myɛ́ŋmân the root ze- obligatorily takes a possessive pronoun. ma =his, man = theirs 103. Daughter vén mà yèrrì mân the root ven- obligatorily takes a possessive pronoun. ma =his, man = theirs 104. Friend ɣwɛ́ɛ́ ɣwyɛ́ɛ́ 105. Guest/stranger syen ǹsen cf. words for ‘friend’. Ce Sìn, Bu tsərE ‘guest’, Izere atsEn, Mbd *kèn + 106. King/chief/ruler tum ǹtùm cf. Bu icu, Ninzo ùcù, Nupe etsu , Ce u-tù, also Tarok –cumcum ‘important’ 107. Hunter nityag bàtyag cf. Nandu nàtàki, 108. Thief nijìb bàjíb 109. Doctor rígítà rigitoci < Hausa 110. Traditional doctor nika ‘person’ + ‘medicine’ 111. Witch nitwen bàtwen ‘person’ + ‘witchcraft’ 112. Corpse kyóm (n)kóm cf. Ce kI-kúm, Izere kukç@m. Also in Chadic Goemai ˚um, Ngas kuum. from widespread ‘death’ root (Error! Reference source not found.) 113. Blacksmith niryág bàryág cf. Bu nErak, pl. bErak, Ninzo nìlà, Bu ɛla 114. Woodworker nisyeb bàsyeb syeb = ‘to carve’. 115. Slave ɣwán slavery ɣwyan. cf. Ningye gan, Hyam gan, Bu ɛgərã, Cara ki-gyɛn, 116. Mysterious person túg 117. Masquerade I nyàŋgbò nyaŋgbò nyàmàŋgbò = at times ??? 118. Masquerade II kpàshàradòg 119. Masquerade III rǐm cf. ‘ancestors’ 120. Masquerade IV 121. Prophesy mgbàn 122. Shame nhwyà$

-12- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 123. Fear/fright sìsìd 124. Bravery/courage I xwyab 125. Bravery/courage II hyadsyôn 126. Beauty rwad 127. Joy ᶆwârr 128. Laughter myád 129. Wisdom ɣwéd 130. Judgement mog 131. Foolishness mbĕ 132. Guilt nkòŋkòŋ 133. Anger ngár¯ 134. Drunkenness wwa 135. Giving special gift zìŋ 136. Counting, census ìbyan 137. Debt nhwár ǹhwar 138. Friendship ìɣwyɛɛ 139. Race/running syor swór =race 140. Journey zwĩr 141. Sending (message) tyɔm 142. Imprisonment, tying ryɔb up 143. Laziness kòn 144. Wickedness kyu 145. Stinginess kyu 146. Twisting swaŋ 147. Suffering ɣwán 148. Adolescence mbyoŋ 149. Death, dying kyu #ku is a Niger-Congo root 150. Sacrifice byǎŋ 151. Witchcraft twen 152. Shaving ìkyon 153. Playfulness ìror 154. Joking with in-laws ryɛd 155. Rivalry between co- ǹhyub wives 156. Instigation tyɔg 157. Hide and seek ìjeŋ cf. jed ‘to hide’ 158. Begging kyod

-13- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 159. Buying, selling, ìzya price 160. Plaiting ryǐd 161. Knowledge ìjí 162. Beginning myàd 163. s.t. black ìsíd 164. s.t. white ìkáŋ 165. s.t. red ìsɛn 166. 167. Seeding (e.g. tubers, ìkyo pumpkin) 168. Name nsyag ǹsyag cf. Kuturmi utwa, Kenta tim, Fyem Îi-sá. The #sa- element is widespread in Plateau and Kainji, #-tak in BCCW, II, 63. Perhaps also Chadic cf. D-B and others súm 169. Grave tyókpàg tókpág 170. Dance arena nhwíŋ 171. Song swém nsem 172. Proverb 173. Story, tale sósoŋ 174. Word ìbyoŋrwɛ́ 175. Question ryib 176. Lie I rwán iryan 177. Lie II ryǐd 178. News byébín bébín bín = issue, problem, discussion 179. Talk rwɛ 180. Boastful, arrogant mbyoŋ talk 181. Hunger joŋ cf. Ningye joŋ, Bu iyç, Fyem yóŋ, Tarok ayáŋ, Sur yyçŋ, Ce ì-wyo, Ultimately Hausa yunwa. 182. Horn nʒôr¯ 183. Tail ngíd 184. Egg ʃee 185. Wing mgba m̀gbyà cf. Bu ŋba, Ce ku-ŋgbà, 186. Beak (of bird) kwǒrrnùŋ kórrnuŋ 187. Feather ngû ǹgyu 188. Gum/glue ǹhwyàr 189. Ant-hill tyó ìjo tójo 190. Hole in ground du ìdyu cf. Bu jyujyu, Ce ku-du, 191. Hole in tree mbórkwon mbyórkyón mbor = gap in the teeth

-14- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 192. Smell nyuŋ 193. Poison nim 194. Load kye 195. Bundle ryɔb 196. Firewood kwón kyón cf. ‘tree’ 197. Stick ǹhwyɛ̀n ǹkyɛ̀n 198. Yam-heap bùŋa 199. Fight ¯ir¯ 200. War ìkyom cf. Nupe ekũ, Bu eku, Tarok ìkùm, 201. Work ndyóm ǹdyòm #tom- is a Niger-Congo root 202. Divination bóg 203. Medicine (generic) ká ǹká cf. Ce íkál, Hyam gwap, 204. Money ntyom 205. Shadow jǐb jíb 206. Thing kye kyê cf. Ningye kye, Ce ìkpì, Hyam gyə, Jili ágã´, 207. Side mbo 208. Strength I hwyɛr 209. Strength II syed 210. Length 211. Thinness wwɛd 212. Land/country kɔ́mân 213. Sleep ìnwa na- element is common in East Benue-Congo, e.g. Sur na, Wukari Jukun na, Yashi na, Lamnsç náá-rî 214. Disease (generic) ìryɔ iryɔ cf. Bu lilç, Tarok arwa, Hyam rwoŋ, Ningye urç, Jijili nnçrç, 215. Smallpox ágàna 216. Diarrhoea syɛ́n 217. Eczema 218. Goitre syɛ̀g 219. Boil nɔ́ŋ 220. Toothache ged 221. Sore/wound m̀kpàŋ m̀kpyàŋ 222. Leprosy kputuru < Hausa 223. Head tyó tó cf. Bu itu with vowel raising from the more common #ti- roots 224. Eye yíd yís 225. Eyeball ìbógyíd byogyíd 226. Face yíd 227. Cheek m̀gbèg 228. Forehead m̀bɔ̀tyi mbɔ́tí

-15- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 229. Nose ǹvɛ̀r¯ nvɛ́r¯ cf. Bu emvri, Ningye mver, Sur gəvərum 230. Ear toŋ cf. Ninzo ùtú, Fyem hutóN, Mabo utó also throughout Tarokoid, but a widespread root #tuN-. Also Chadic: Sha 'a-tôn 231. Mouth nùŋ ìnyûŋ cf. Bu enyu, Fyem núŋ, but a Niger-Congo root 232. Tooth ¯îr¯ cf. Tarok ìnyin. A Niger-Congo root 233. Tongue ryém cf. Mabo de-rem, Jijili ulE, Pe ti-lem, YaNkam rem cLela d-rémé, ultimately Atlantic-Congo #-lima 234. Throat ɣwârg cf. English ‘gargle’ 235. Neck tyɔ̀ cf. Ningye tç, Horom Îì-sìtó, Eloyi kì-tó, 236. Jaw 237. Chin ǹjɛ̀d 238. Shoulder mgba m̀gbyà 239. Armpit kyɔ́g mgba kyɔ́g m̀gbyà 240. Fist ǹgyɛ̀rr ngɛ̌rr 241. Arm, hand, palm wɔ́g 242. Leg, foot zá ìzyà zámyar ‘left leg’. cf. Ningye za, 243. Thigh m̀pyǒzà mpózá 244. Knee gburuŋ gburúŋ 245. Nail (Finger/toe) ǹfwàb ǹfyàb cf. Ningye mfap, Tarok ìfìr, 246. Female breast yás yád = breast milk 247. Stomach rɛ́ ìryɛ 248. Chest ǹgɛ̀hóg 249. Navel kyom cf. Pe, Tarok ìgum, Yaŋkam kum, Nindem ìkom, also PLC *-kóp, Nizaa kómni, Vute cómè. Also Mambiloid (Cambap) kúmbu#n, PB #kóbù Also in Chadic: Mwaghavul kúm, Tangale kúmbi 250. Back mà 251. Buttocks tìd, tìs 252. Private parts kyɔ́g 253. Penis ntyed 254. Vagina ǹʃã̀ nʃã́ 255. Skin hwá 256. Bone kúb cf. Ninzo ukfúkfú, Fyem huhúp pl. ahúp, weakened from the more widespread #kup. Cf. Bo ukúp, Pe ukup, Tarok akúp and Yaŋkam kup and PB #-kubi 257. Rib ǹsâr ǹsyàr cf. Ningye saŋ, Rukul a-kyen, ? Tarok n$zàkÆ@n, 258. Vein syíb 259. Blood ǹjĩ cf. Ninzo àyìyì, Bu eyi, PLC *í-yíp 260. Breath vyèr cf. Ningye vεr, Bu evri, Sur vəri, Pe mve. cf. Vute fìí, Somyev fièlá 261. Tear yǐd, yǐs

-16- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 262. Pus nhúrn 263. Placenta yɛ 264. Sweat ǹhyɔ́ 265. Urine nyǐr cf. Ningye manyin, 266. Faeces hwiŋ also ‘foolish talk’. cf. English ‘talking shit’ 267. Hair ngútyo 268. Pubic hair tó homophonous with ‘head’ 269. Beard 270. Liver syón 271. Heart, soul, mind dísyon cf. Toro sunç ‘heart’, Bu isurç), Tarok ìtun, 272. Intestines yɔrr ré cf. Bu εrε, Rukul ilel, Tarok alèr, 273. Body máhwa cf. Ninzo ukpá, Bu ekpa, 274. Meat nyúŋ 275. Animal (Bush) nyuŋʒe nyúŋʒe ‘meat of bush’ 276. *Camel 277. Cow ǹŋyàg nŋyág 278. Bull 279. Calf 280. Goat yǒn yón 281. He-goat ǹhyìd nhyíd cf. Ningye yir, 282. Castrated goat 283. Sheep tyɔ̀ŋ tyɔ́ŋ cf. Tarok itam, Pe itamu but also widespread in West Africa 284. Ram 285. Castrated sheep 286. Dog ìju iju 287. Cat múzá, mús < Hausa 288. Pig ledè léde < Hausa 289. Horse ŋyòŋ ŋyóŋ cf. Bu ŋgəma, 290. Donkey zèki zekí < Hausa 291. Elephant ìni ini cf. Ninzo iŋyí, Toro nyi, Bu ninyi, 292. Hippo 293. Buffalo jàd jád cf. Horom yat, Cara ì-yàt pl. yat, Yaŋkam yyet, PB #-¯áti reflecting a more widespread root #-yati in East Benue-Congo. Also in WBC e.g. Nupe eya. See also Daffo yàt 294. Lion

-17- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 295. Leopard ìʃe iʃe cf. Bu EcE, Horom kyè, Fyem kwe, Hasha ehwe, Jari ì-kwì, Tesu kwi related to old Niger-Congo root #- gbe, -kpe 296. Hyena1 nkúrá < Hausa 297. Civet cat2 júdanjɛ̃ < Hausa 298. Genet cat3 299. Jackal4 300. Wart-hog5 301. Bush-pig6 302. Duiker antelope7 tyǎb tyáb 303. Kob antelope8 304. Roan antelope9 305. Porcupine10 306. Giant pangolin11 ǹtàmtyoŋ ńtámtyoŋ 307. Monkey(generic) 308. Baboon ìkyá íkyá cf. Ningye nkagbo Tarok ìká, Horom cáráN, but probably also more widespread #kana roots. Cf. Ịjọ akã ‘mangabey’. Also in Chadic: Mwaghavul kaar, 309. Patas monkey12 310. Vervet monkey13 311. Colobus monkey14 312. Squirrel (ground) 313. Squirrel (tree) 314. Rat (generic) ʃi cf. Ningye ce, Horom kí, Fyem kwi, Alumu ì-kwì, Bu ɛci, Pe ikuu, Tarok ìpi 315. Bush-rat I 316. Bush-rat II 317. Bush-rat III 318. Bush-rat IV

1 (Crocuta crocuta) 2 (Viverra civetta) 3 (Genetta genetta) 4 (Canis aureus) 5 (Phacochoerus aethiopus) 6 (Potamochoerus Porcus) 7 (Cephalophus spp.) 8 (Kobus kob) 9 (Hippotragus equinus) 10 (Hystrix cristata) 11 (Manis giganteus) 12 (Erythrocebus patas) 13 (Cercopithecus aethiops) 14 (Colobus polykomos) -18- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 319. Giant rat15 320. Fat mouse 321. Pygmy mouse ryìd ryîd 322. Grasscutter16 jeb jéb 323. Hedgehog17 324. Hare18 ɣwyɔm ɣwyɔ́m 325. House-bat 326. Fruit-bat 327. Nile crocodile kyǔd kyúr cf. Toro kuru, Bu ŋkuru, Ninzo àkur, Che ikut, Also in Chadic: Goemai ˚ut, Ngas kut. + 328. Chameleon ntod ńtód cf. Alumu atEnde 329. Agama lizard m̀kpà mkpa cf. Bu ipa, 330. Skink 331. Gecko 332. Monitor lizard (damo) 333. Monitor lizard (xx) 334. Toad ìjarg járg 335. River frog gbohor gbóhór 336. Land tortoise kórhab kórhàb 337. Snake (Generic) ìɣwyǎ ɣwyá A Niger-Congo root for ‘snake’ 338. Spitting cobra byìì byíí 339. Python ìɣwya ngyoŋ íɣwyá ngyóŋ 340. River turtle gyòd gyod 341. River crab ǹkyankwãw nkyánkwãw cf. Ningye kaw, 342. River molluscs 343. Fish (generic) ǹhwee nhwee 344. Tilapia (spp.) 345. Puffer fish19 346. Catfish (spp.)20 347. Nile Perch21 348. Electric fish22

15 (Cretomyces sp.) 16 (Thryonomys Swinderianus) 17 (Atelerix albiventris) 18 (Lepus Crawshayi) 19 (Tetraodon fahaka) 20 (Synodontis spp.) 21 (Lates niloticus) 22 (Malapterurus electricus) -19- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 349. Bird (generic) ì¯ɔ̃ ¯ɔ̃ cf. Horom nç$n, Tarok inyil, Pe i-nol, Yaŋkam noi A common Benue-Congo root also found in Bantu. Mukarovksy (II, 405) gives examples that suggest a reconstruction to Proto-Volta-Congo. 350. Chicken (General) kikyɔ̌ kíkyɔ cf. Rukul kwçr, Mada kç$kç$, Kahugu akoro and is probably a shortening of the t-k-r roots found in this group and outside BC. See BCCW, 43 351. Cock ìɣwǎg ɣwág cf. Bu bakç, Ningye gbak, 352. *Duck (Domestic) gwɔgwɔ́ gwɔ́gwɔ́ < Hausa 353. Pigeon (Domestic) 354. Guinea-fowl syèrr syêrr cf. Bu etse, Nupe Sèlŭ (where –lu = ‘bird’), 355. Hooded Vulture23 gyùrug gyúrug 356. Village Weaver24 357. Cattle-egret25 358. Black kite26 ʒàŋkpág ʒáŋkpág 359. Standard-wing tyityi tyítyi Night-jar 360. Owl (various spp.) ryǔryug ryúryug 361. Grey Parrot27 362. Senegal Coucal28 ǹhwirg ńhwirg 363. Bush-fowl/partridge kyɔ̌rr kyɔ́rr 364. Swallow nàmbug námbug 365. *Pied crow29 366. Woodpecker 367. Insect (Generic) 368. Scorpion ìryaŋ íryáŋ cf. Rukul ì-làN, Fyem lyuN, Hasha i-naN, Reflects a widespread Niger-Congo root #ena 369. Butterfly nàngúngúrim 370. Dragon-fly kwóntyu 371. Mosquito yò yó cf. Ningye wɔ, 372. Spider30 ràntàr¯ rántâr¯ 373. Mason wasp31 ǹhwè 374. Bee nʃɔ̃ nʃɔ̰́ cf. Berom Sòk pl. Sok, Cara Sò pl. So, Bu iSò, Izere iSçS pl. iSç@S, 375. Sweat-fly

23 (Neophron monachus) 24 (Ploceus cucullatus) 25 (Ardeola ibis) 26 (Milvus migrans) 27 (Poicephalus senegalus) 28 (Centropus spp.) 29 (Corvus albus) 30 (Acarina spp.) 31 (Belenogaster spp.) -20- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 376. Sandfly 377. Housefly ǹsinsiŋ ńsinsiŋ cf. Ninzo ivíNcí, Horom cìN, Cara jìn, Berom cíN. cf. also Ngas nSi, Mwaghavul ndìSìì, Tangale tíìn 378. Ant (Generic) nkinkyád 379. Louse (Human) kórkóta < Hausa 380. Millipede 381. Cockroach 382. Termite ìjo 383. Flying-ant kókóbaŋ 384. Tick nshıd 385. Grasshopper ŋyàmbǎg ŋyámbag 386. Praying mantis 387. Firefly 388. Giant Cricket 389. Caterpillar nhùrùŋ edible, lives on trees 390. Earthworm njar¯ jár¯ 391. Giant Snail 392. Soap (Traditional) 393. Oil ŋyì cf. Ningye nyi, Hasha ane, Tesu amEnE, Berom nç@i, Aten noi, Gure mani, Central Kambari mànì’i0^ and ultimately Hausa mai. 394. Fat/grease ǹhyèb cf. Chawai bap, Jijili mbye, Berom sēbwép, Yangkam m-byep, Nnakenyare byep, reconstructed to EBC as #-byep 395. Salt tɔg 396. Soup/stew ìniŋ cf. Bu ɛnɛ 397. Porridge mwà̰ 398. Food xwyo 399. ? pedal for tuwo ǹsĩrĩ 400. ? pedal for soup ǹhĩ́ 401. Sorghum-beer ǹhye 402. Palm-wine ǹʃɛ̀rr 403. Locust–pod sealant ǹhwàr 404. Peelings I kukub 405. Peelings II yěr 406. Filter wɔ́d 407. Rag bob ǹtor 408. Floor-beater 409. Handle (of tool) nhwób ǹhyob cf. Jijili ofçfç), Nupe efú, Eggon ofuvu, Mambila fù. A widespread Benue-Congo root, reconstructed in Blench (ms.) as #-fu[pu]

-21- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 410. Sickle 411. Cutlass yàrda yárdá also yàdda 412. Iron 413. Axe gyár gár cf. Hasha ikai, Ningye Ngai, Rukul gaya, 414. Adze 415. Hoe large njɔ̂b njɔ̀b 416. Hoe small hwár ǹkar 417. Hammer 418. Knife zig cf. Ninzo anji, Bu inʒi, Ce kujik, Also in Chadic: Goemai ʃik, 419. Spoon nsag 420. Comb gwěb gwéb 421. Broom gwed 422. Bag I m̀pàd mpâd 423. Bag II bàtán bátán 424. Sack ǹʃìd nʃîd 425. Fireplace 426. Shoe 427. Cloth ǹtor ntór 428. Grindstone (top) vìvyena 429. Grindstone (lower) nwa ìnya 430. Mortar (wood) zí ìzyi cf. Ningye jiN, 431. Pestle kwón tyu ǹkon tyǔ ‘stick for pounding’ 432. Pot (generic) ryen ryén cf. Rukul a-risen, Ningye rEn, 433. Pot very small tandu ? Hausa 434. Pot largest kùm ǹkùm 435. Pot for making soup ŋkpereŋ ŋ́kpéreŋ 436. Pot gâŋ ǹgàŋ 437. Pot storing water gyɔ̀ŋ 438. Pot storing water ǹhwrìŋ ǹhyrìŋ 439. Head-pad kyár kár 440. Basket (generic) ǹsèŋ ǹsyɛ̀ŋ cf. Ninzo í-sísà, Bu sεsε, 441. Basket I ǹsog ńsóg 442. Basket II rèrèg rerèg 443. Winnowing tray mbɛ̀ɛ̀ mbyɛ̀ɛ̀ 444. Mat (generic) ńhúrn ǹhyurn 445. Mat I ńhúrn byɛrn ǹhyùrn colourful mat byɛrn 446. Mat II syɛ̀g Hausa sakarkari

-22- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 447. Needle I ǹdurá ndúra 448. Needle II bɔ̀d bɔ̂d large local needle used for sewing mats 449. Spear ǹhwyǎn nhwyán 450. Bow twa ǹta #-ta is a Niger-Congo root 451. Arrow ɣwe ìɣwe 452. Quiver gyɔ́rr igyɔ́rr 453. Chain, line rwɔ̀ŋ ìryɔ̂ŋ Hausa sarka usually used for metal chain 454. Rope rìg ìryǐg 455. Stool, seat, chair m̀gbòg mbôg 456. Door, entrance níhwii nikíb, nákíb 457. Mat used as door ndwen 458. Fence 459. Bridge ʃɛ̀ɛ́b ʃɛ́ɛ́b 460. Ladder 461. Bee-hive twaǹshɔ̀ 462. Fish-Net 463. Fish-trap I 464. Fish-trap II 465. Fish-trap III 466. Metal trap tarko

-23- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 479. Twelve sɔ̂g now transferred to ‘ten’ in compounds 480. Twenty syɔgǹhyá 481. Twenty-four syɔgǹhyá ma nad 482. Forty syɔgìnyád 483. Sixty syɔg taanì 484. Eighty syɔg tááŋrad 485. Hundred ngwɔ̂g 486. Black sisid 487. White kakaŋ, kád 488. Red sɛsɛn, sɛ̌n cf. Ningye ʃiʃen, 489. Sweet rɔm 490. Bitter réŋ 491. Bitterness ryěŋ 492. Half mbwád m̀byǎd 493. Hot 494. Cold 495. Old 496. New 497. Wet 498. Dry 499. Thin wɛd 500. Big gain 501. Long gogogò gògògò ? ideophone 502. Small ʃĩ 503. Swollen (stomach) pub 504. Peaceful tɔ 505. Lazy rèrèg 506. Raw séséd 507. Beautiful rad 508. Smooth 509. Weak pɛ̃ 510. Strong hwɛr 511. Add soil to a ridge báŋ byáŋ instead of hoeing 512. Add to 513. Add cold water fu 514. Answer (question) 515. Arrive

-24- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 516. Ask a question ríb ryib 517. Ask/beg for kód something 518. Awaken (s.o.) 519. Bark (dog) 520. Bathe so 521. Be si 522. Be bent 523. Be drunk wa 524. Be full sũ 525. Be heavy 526. Be lost dɔ 527. Be on (s.t.) 528. Be rotten 529. Be short 530. Be used to doing s.t. sã 531. Be white kad also means ‘be poor’ 532. Beat (drum) 533. Beat (s.o.) 534. Become dry 535. Begin 536. Bite 537. Blow (flute etc.) 538. Boil 539. Brag sa 540. Break mud 541. Brew porridge hi 542. Bring ŋyɛɛ 543. Build (house etc.) 544. Burn (fire burns) 545. Bury 546. Buy zá 547. Call (to someone) 548. Carry 549. Carve (wood etc.) seb syeb 550. Catch 551. Chew 552. Choose 553. Climb

-25- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 554. Close 555. Come 556. Come out (of room) 557. Continue (to do s.t.) 558. Cook ru 559. Copulate nɔŋ 560. Cough sɔ́ŋkpɔ̀g cf. Ningye sum kpupɔr, 561. Count ban cf. Ningye ban, Toro bere, Ninzo bré, Bu bəla, but a Niger-Congo root. 562. Cover 563. Curse rãĩ 564. Cut down (tree) 565. Cut in two 566. Cut off (head etc.) 567. Dance 568. Deceive bɔ̃r 569. Die kú 570. Dig (earth etc.) 571. Divide/share gab gyab 572. Do/make 573. Drag 574. Draw water 575. Dream ra ráŋ 576. Drink sɔ cf. Ninzo sò, Horom sɔ, Fyer ʃo. A common root shared by both Chadic and Plateau, probably originally Chadic (cf. Gerhardt 1983) 577. Drink porridge mwa 578. Drop 579. Dry in sun 580. Eat re cf. Ningye re, Fyem dé, Mabo ré, linked to the widespread –ri, -di roots found in Niger-Congo 581. Enter 582. Extinguish 583. Fall (rain) 584. Fall over 585. Fear 586. Feel (cold etc.) 587. Fight (in war) 588. Fill

-26- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 589. Finish (a task) 590. Float 591. Flog 592. Flow (water etc.) 593. Fly (birds) 594. Fold (cloth etc.) 595. Follow 596. Forget 597. Fry (in oil) 598. Gather/collect vu cf. Ningye vu, 599. Get 600. Give nog 601. Give birth 602. Go sen 603. Go ahead bɛn 604. Go out/exit 605. Grind kɔ̀g kyɔ̀g 606. Grow (plants) 607. Hatch (egg) 608. Hear 609. Help tãĩ 610. Hide jed 611. Hit/strike (drum) 612. Hoe 613. Hunt 614. Imitate yíd 615. Instigate tɔ́g 616. Joke with in-laws rɛd 617. Jump 618. Kill 619. Kneel 620. Know jí 621. Laugh mád 622. Learn 623. Leer ŋyɛ̀m 624. Lick rád ryǎd 625. Lie down 626. Listen 627. Lose s.t.

-27- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 628. Love yǔŋ 629. Marry 630. Mix 631. Mould (pot) 632. Open bub cf. Bu, Ningye bu, Tarok bol, 633. Pierce/stab 634. Pinch I farr 635. Pinch II nɔ̰́ 636. Plait (hair) ríd 637. Plant (crop etc.) 638. Play ror 639. Plead rag ryag 640. Pound (in mortar) 641. Pour (liquid) 642. Praise sag 643. Present sin 644. Pull gbob 645. Push 646. Rut on (clothes) 647. Receive 648. Refuse 649. ‘Remain’ 650. Remember 651. Repair, shape rag ryag 652. Reply ha also ‘pay back’ 653. Resemble 654. Return 655. Ride (horse etc.) 656. Roast on coals 657. Rub 658. Run 659. Say/speak 660. See 661. Seek 662. Sell 663. Send tɔm A Niger-Congo root 664. Set trap 665. Sew hwán 666. Shake

-28- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 667. Sharpen rɔ ryɔ 668. Shave kon 669. Shoot (arrow, gun) 670. Show off gɛd 671. Sing sém 672. Sit down 673. Slaughter (animal) 674. Sleep 675. Smash 676. Smell núŋ nyúŋ 677. Snap in two 678. Sow seeds 679. Spit 680. Split 681. Spread out bũr 682. Stand 683. Steal jíb also ‘theft’ 684. Stir (soup) 685. Suck (breast etc.) 686. Surpass 687. Swallow ᶆwér ᶆyer 688. Swear si 689. Sweep 690. Swell 691. Take 692. Talk rwɛ́ 693. Talk against rɛ̃ 694. Tear (cloth etc.) 695. Tell diŋ 696. Tell story yíd 697. Throw 698. Tie rɔ́b 699. Touch 700. Twist (rope etc.) saŋ 701. Untie 702. Uproot (tuber) 703. Vomit 704. Walk zĩr cf. Ningye tsɛn, 705. Want/need

-29- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 706. Wash 707. Wear 708. Weave rog 709. Weed 710. Weep 711. Wipe 712. Work 713. Yawn 714. I 715. You 716. He/she/it a 717. we 718. you pl. 719. They 720. Someone nedí 721. Who? 722. Which? 723. What? 724. Where? Prepositions 725. Inside ᶆyìŋ 726. Front, forward tyî 727. Under kyɔ́g 728. Ideophoness 729. unripe (fruit) regreg 730. weak (old person) regreg 731. feeble (baby, regreg animal) 732. skinny (buttocks) gɔrr person or dog. Abusive term 733. very black (night) pípíb 734. 735. 736. Ethnonyms 737. Jju I je 738. Jju II ɣwe 739. 740.

-30- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist

Edible and Useful Plants

NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 741. Guinea-yam32 ǹsìr 742. Aerial yam33 743. Red yam34 744. Water-yam35 745. Taro (Old cocoyam)36 746. New cocoyam37* 747. Cassava*38 748. Sweet potato*39 749. Wild yam I 750. Wild yam II 751. Tumuku40 752. Rizga41 753. Grain ìbyog 754. Sorghum42 755. 3-month Sorghum43 756. Bulrush millet44 (gero) 757. Bulrush millet (maiwa) 758. Eleusine*45 759. Fonio (H. acca)46

32 (Dioscorea guineensis) 33 (Dioscorea bulbifera) 34 (Dioscorea cayenensis) 35 (Dioscorea alata) 36 (Colocasia esculenta) 37 (Xanthosoma mafaffa) (H. wali) 38 (Manihot esculenta) 39 (Ipomoea batatas) 40 (Plectranthus esculentus) 41 (Solenostemon rotundifolius) 42 (Sorghum bicolor) 43 (H. jigaari)) 44 (Pennisetum spp.) 45 (H. tamba) (Eleusine coracana) 46 (Digitaria exilis) -31- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 760. Iburu (H. iburu)47 761. Maize*48 762. Rice*49 763. Cowpea50 764. Spiral cowpea 765. Lima bean51* 766. Other beans I 767. Other beans II 768. Other beans III 769. Bambara groundnut52 770. Kersting's ground- nut53 771. Groundnut (Peanut)54 nfĩ 772. Tiger-nut55 773. Garden egg56 774. Okra57 775. Chili pepper* (large)58 kpad kpad ‘Hausa’, kpyad ‘Hausa language’ 776. Birdseye chili*59 777. Onion (Allium cepa) 778. Garlic60 779. Tomato61 780. Egusi melon62 781. Melon (other)63

47 (Digitaria iburua) 48 (Zea mays) 49 (Oryza sativa/ glaberrima) 50 (Vigna unguiculata) 51 (Phaseolus lunatus) 52 (Vigna subterranea) 53 (Macrotyloma geocarpa) 54 (Arachis hypogaea) 55 (Cyperus esculentus) 56 (Solanum melongena) 57 (Abelmoschus esculentus) 58 (Capsicum frutescens) 59 (Capsicum annuum) 60 (Allium sativum) 61 (Lycopersicon esculentum) 62 (Citrullus lanatus) 63 (Cucumis spp) -32- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 782. Edible squash64 783. Sorrel/roselle65 784. Jews' mallow66 785. Kenaf67 786. Sesame seeds68 787. Black sesame69 788. Sesame leaves70 789. Bitterleaf71 790. Waterleaf*72 791. Plantain (Musa AAB) 792. Banana (Musa AAA) 793. Orange*73 794. Bamboo 795. Pineapple*74 796. Coconut*75 797. Pawpaw*76 798. Gourd (Generic) øɔ 799. Gourd-bottle77 800. Gourd (spherical)78 801. Other gourds 802. Tobacco* 803. Sugar-cane* 804. Loofah79 (H. soso) 805. Cola 806. (Cola spp)

64 (Cucurbita pepo) 65 (H. yakuwa) (Hibiscus sabdariffa) 66 (H. lalo)(Corchorus olitorius) 67 (H. rama) (Hibiscus cannabinus) 68 (H. RiÎii) (Sesamum indicum) 69 (Sesamum radiatum) 70 (H. karkashi) 71 Vernonia amygdalina 72 (Amaranthus spp) 73 (Citrus sinensis) 74 (Ananas comosus) 75 (Cocos nucifera) 76 (Carica papaya) 77 (Lagenaria siceraria) 78 (Cucurbita maxima) 79 (Luffa cylindrica) -33- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary 807. Oil-palm80 808. Palm-fruit 809. Palm-oil 810. Palm kernel 811. Raphia/ bamboo palm81 812. Fan-palm82 813. Monkey-guava83 814. Canarium tree84 hyaŋ 815. Custard apple85 816. Wild date-palm86 817. Baobab87 818. Silk-cotton tree88 kyuŋ kyúŋ 819. Shea tree89 820. Shea-fruit 821. Locust tree90 ryǔn ryún 822. Locust fruit ¯îr¯ 823. Locust-bean cakes 824. Tamarind91 825. Sodom apple92 826. Terminalia sp.93 827. Black plum94 828. Wild fruit sp. dirwɔ@k 829. grass sp. ndyɛ́

80 (Elaeis guineensis) 81 (Raphia spp.) 82 (Borassus aethiopum) 83 (Diospyros mespiliformis) 84 (Canarium schweinfurthii) 85 (Annona senegalensis) 86 (Phoenix reclinata) 87 (Adansonia digitata) 88 (Ceiba pentandra) 89 (Vitellaria paradoxa) 90 (Parkia biglobosa) 91 (Tamarindus indica) 92 (Calotropis procera H. tumfafiya) 93 (H. baushe) 94 (Vitex doniana) -34- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist Musical Instruments

NO. Gloss Singular Plural Commentary

830. Drum I

831. Drum II

832. Drum III

833. Flute

834. Zither

835. Lute

836. Xylophone

837. Harp

838. Horn

839. Iron gong

840. Gourd-rattle

841. Ankle rattles

842. Bell ryag

References

Abraham, R.C. 1962. Dictionary of the Hausa language. London: University of London Press. Bendor-Samuel, J. ed. 1989. The Niger-Congo languages. Lanham: University Press of America. Crozier, D. and Blench, R.M. 1992. Index of Nigerian Languages (edition 2). SIL, Dallas. Gerhardt, L. 1983a. Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Sprachen des Nigerianischen Plateaus. Glückstadt: Verlag J.J. Augustin. Gerhardt, Ludwig 1983b. Lexical interferences in the Chadic/Benue-Congo Border-Area. In Wolff, E. & Meyer-Bahlburg, H. (eds.) Studies in Chadic and Afroasiatic Linguistics. 301-310. Hamburg: Helmut Buske. Jungraithmayr, H. and Dymitr Ibriszimow 1995. Chadic lexical roots. [2 vols.] Berlin: Reimer. Kadima, H.& K. Jerzyk n.d. The phonology of Ninkyob. ms. Jos. Mukarovsky, H. 1976-1977. A study of Western Nigritic. 2 vols. Wien: Institut für Ägyptologie und Afrikanistik, Universität Wien. Temple, Olive 1922. Notes on the Tribes, Provinces, Emirates and States of the Northern Provinces of Nigeria. Argus Printing and Publishing Co. Capetown. Westermann, D. 1927. Die Westlichen Sudansprachen und ihre Beziehungen zum Bantu. Berlin: de Gruyter. Williamson, K., and K. Shimizu. 1968. Benue-Congo comparative wordlist, Vol. 1. Ibadan: West African Linguistic Society.

-35- Roger Blench: Ninkyop Wordlist Williamson, Kay 1971. The Benue-Congo languages & Ịjọ. In Current trends in Linguistics 7 (ed.) T. Sebeok 245-306. The Hague: Mouton. Williamson, Kay 1973. Benue-Congo comparative wordlist: Vol. 2. Ibadan: West African Linguistic Society.

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