The Bole–Tangale languages (also known as the A.2 West Chadic languages) are a branch of West Chadic languages that are spoken in various states of northeastern Nigeria.
Languages The Bole–Tangale languages are:Blench, Roger. 2006. The Afro-Asiatic Languages: Classification and Reference List (ms)
Bole (Bole–Tangale) (A.2) North (Bole proper): Bure, Bole, Gera, Geruma, Deno, Galambu, Giiwo, Kubi, Ngamo, Maaka (Maagha), Ɓeele, Daza (Dazawa), ?Pali, Karekare South (Tangale): Kwaami, Pero, Piya-Kwonci, Kulung, Kholok, Nyam, Kushi (Goji), Kutto (Kupto), Tangale, Dera (Kanakuru)
Karekare is the most divergent language within the Bole branch, while Dera is the most divergent language within the Tangale branch.Blench, Roger. 2021. West Chadic classification 2021. Cambridge: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.
Names and locations Below is a comprehensive list of Bole–Tangale language names, populations, and locations from Blench (2019).
Language Cluster Dialects Alternate spellings Own name for language Endonym(s) Other names (location-based) Other names for language Exonym(s) Speakers Location(s) Daza Daza a few villages (Note: No data available) Bauchi State, Darazo LGA Bole Bara, Fika (Fiyankayen, Anpika) Bòò Pìkkà, Bopika Am Pìkkà, Ampika Fika, Piika Bolanci Anika, Bolewa 32,000 (1952 W&B); est. >100,000 (1990) Bauchi State, Dukku, Alkaleri, and Darazo LGAs; Borno State, Fika LGA Bure BuBure Bure Bure A single village southeast of Darazo town Bauchi State, Darazo LGA Ɓeele Bele Àɓéelé bòhé áɓéelé sg., Àɓéelé pl. Bellawa 120 (Temple 1922); a few villages Bauchi State Deno 9,900 (LA 1971) Bauchi State, Darazo LGA; 45 km northeast of Bauchi town Galambu Galembi, Galambe Galambu Galambu 8505 (Temple 1922); 2020 (Meek 1925); 1000 (SIL) Bauchi State, Bauchi LGA, at least 15 villages Dera Shani, Shellen and Gasi Bo Dera na Dera sg., Dera pl. Kanakuru 11,300 (W&B) Adamawa State, Shellen LGA; Borno State, Shani LGA Fyandigeri Fyandigere sg. laa Fyandigeri, pl. Fyandigeri Gerawa, Gere, Gera 13,300 (LA 1971); at least 30 villages. Many Gera villages no longer speak the language. A 2018 survey suggested there are only 4 villages where the language is being passed on to children. Bauchi State, Bauchi and Darazo LGAs Geruma Sum, Duurum, possibly Gamsawa/Gamshi (Temple) Gerema, Germa Geerum (Duurum dialect); Gyeermu (Sum dialect) Geerum (Duurum dialect); sg. na Gyeermu, pl. Gyeermu (Sum dial.) 4,700 (LA 1971) Bauchi State, Toro and Darazo LGAs. At least 10 villages Giiwo Kirifi Bu Giiwo sg. Ba Giiwo, pl. Ma Giiwo 3,620 (1922 Temple); 14,000 (SIL) Bauchi State, Alkaleri, Bauchi and Darazo LGAs, 24 villages Karekare Western Jalalum, northern Pakaro and eastern Ngwajum Kәrekәre, Kerekere, Karaikarai, Kerikeri 39,000 (1952 W&B) Bauchi State, Gamawa and Misau LGAs; Yobe State, Fika LGA Kholok Kode, Koode, Kwoode, Widala, Pia, Wurkum, Pitiko 2,500 (1977 Voegelin & Voegelin) Taraba State, Karim Lamido LGA, near Didango Kubi Kuba 1,090 (1922 Temple); 500 (1973 SIL) Bauchi State, Darazo LGA, 40 km. N.E. of Bauchi town Kulung (Chadic) Kulung (speakers consider themselves Kulung i.e. Jarawan Bantu, although their language is Chadic and related to Piya) Wurkum 2000? Taraba State, Karim Lamido LGA Kutto Kupto Kúttò Kúttò Two villages. 3000 (1990 est.) Bauchi State, Bajoga LGA, Yobe State, Gujba LGA Maaka Two dialects; Maaka (at Gulani) and Maha (at Vara) Magha, Maga, Maha More than 4,000 (1990) Yobe State, Gujba LGA. Gulani and Bara towns and associated hamlets. Northeast of Dadin Kowa Reservoir. Ngamo Gamo 17,800 (1952 W&B) Borno State, Fika LGA; Bauchi State, Darazo LGA, Darazo district and Dukku LGA, Nafada district Pero Dialects associated with three major settlements Walo Péerò sg. Péerò, pl. Pìpéerò Filiya [town name] 6,664 (1925 Meek); 20,000 (1973 SIL) Gombe State, Shongom LGA, around Filiya. 3 main villages: Gwandum, Gundale and Filiya. Piya–Kwonci cluster Piya–Kwonci Pia Wurkum, Pitiko 2,500 (1977 Voegelin & Voegelin) Taraba State, Karim Lamido LGA, near Didango Piya Piya–Kwonci Pia Wurkum Kwonci Piya–Kwonci Kunshenu More than 4000 (1990) Goji Fo Goji Nya Goji pl. Memme Goji Kushe, Kushi Chong'e 4000 (1973 SIL); 5000 (1990). ca. 20 villages (2007) Gombe State, Shongom LGA Kwaami Kafarati, Ɗolli Kwami, Kwom Kwáámì Kwáámì Komawa 10,000 (1990) Bauchi State, Kwami LGA Nyam Nyambolo A single village Taraba State, Karim Lamido LGA, at Andami village Tangale Ture, Kaltungo, Shongom, Billiri Tangle Táŋlɛ̀ Billiri 36,000 (1952 W&B); 100,000 (1973 SIL) Gombe State, Kaltungo, Alkaleri and Akko LGAs
References
External links The Yobe Languages Research Project by the late Russell G. Schuh of UCLA West Chadic resources at africanlanguages.org