Margi language
Encyclopedia
Margi, also known as Marghi and Marghi Central, is a Chadic
language spoken in Nigeria
. It is perhaps the best described of the Biu–Mandara branch of that family. Marghi South
and Patai are closely related, and sometimes considered dialects of Margi.
, with only two vowels, /ɨ/ and /a/, in native vocabulary. (Loan words also distinguish /ɛ/ and /o/.) There are two tones, high and low, with some syllables unmarked for tone. Margi also has a large consonant inventory, with a number of labialized consonants and unusual things such as a labiodental flap
. Hoffmann (1963) describes 84 consonantal phonemes, an enormous number compared to that of most languages. However, Hoffmann's list of consonants includes all onsets in the language, many of which other researchers have since analyzed as sequences, such as /pt/ and /bz/. What remains are 66 consonants if labialization is counted separately, or 54 if it is interpreted as a /Cw/ sequence.
[ç] and [ʝ] are palatalized allophones of /x/ and /ɣ/, the latter of which is closer to an approximant [ɰ].
The closely related language Bura is similar but has a palatalized lateral series as well. /ⱱ/ is used in mimesis
rather than in lexical vocabulary. The glottalized consonants /ɓ̰ ɓ̰ʷ ɗ̰/ have been described as either creaky voice
d or implosive
; according to Maddieson, they are evidently both, as in Hausa
.
The sequences which Hoffmann included in his consonant inventory are all labial–coronal:
Chadic languages
The Chadic languages constitute a language family of perhaps 200 languages spoken across northern Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Central African Republic and Cameroon, belonging to the Afroasiatic phylum...
language spoken in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
. It is perhaps the best described of the Biu–Mandara branch of that family. Marghi South
Marghi South language
Marghi South is a Chadic language of Nigeria. It is perhaps closer to Huba than it is to Margi....
and Patai are closely related, and sometimes considered dialects of Margi.
Phonology
Margi is famous for having a vertical vowel systemVertical vowel system
Vertical vowel system refers to a system of vowels in a language which requires just one vowel dimension to phonemically distinguish vowels. Theoretically, rounding, frontness and backness, and vowel height could be used in one-dimensional vowel systems; however, vertical refers specifically to the...
, with only two vowels, /ɨ/ and /a/, in native vocabulary. (Loan words also distinguish /ɛ/ and /o/.) There are two tones, high and low, with some syllables unmarked for tone. Margi also has a large consonant inventory, with a number of labialized consonants and unusual things such as a labiodental flap
Labiodental flap
-External links:* * *...
. Hoffmann (1963) describes 84 consonantal phonemes, an enormous number compared to that of most languages. However, Hoffmann's list of consonants includes all onsets in the language, many of which other researchers have since analyzed as sequences, such as /pt/ and /bz/. What remains are 66 consonants if labialization is counted separately, or 54 if it is interpreted as a /Cw/ sequence.
| Labial | Dental | Alveolar | Lateral | Post- alveolar |
Palatal | Velar | Labio- velar |
Glottal | |
| Nasal | m mʷ | n | ɲ | ŋ | ŋʷ | ||||
| Glottalized | ɓ̰ ɓ̰ʷ | ɗ̰ | j̰ | w̰ | |||||
| Prenazalized | mp | nt ntʷ | nts ntsʷ | ntʃ | ɲc | ŋk | ŋkʷ | ||
| mb mbʷ | nd | ndz | ndʒ | ɲɟ | ŋɡ | ŋɡʷ | |||
| Oral occlusive |
p pʷ | t tʷ | ts | tʃ | c | k | kʷ | ʔ | |
| b bʷ | d | dz | dʒ | ɟ | ɡ | ɡʷ | |||
| Fricative | f fʷ | s sʷ | ɬ ɬʷ | ʃ | [ç] | x | ʍ | ||
| v vʷ | z | ɮ | ʒ | [ʝ] | ɣ | ||||
| Approximant | l | j | w | ||||||
| Vibrant | ⱱ | r |
[ç] and [ʝ] are palatalized allophones of /x/ and /ɣ/, the latter of which is closer to an approximant [ɰ].
The closely related language Bura is similar but has a palatalized lateral series as well. /ⱱ/ is used in mimesis
Mimesis
Mimesis , from μιμεῖσθαι , "to imitate," from μῖμος , "imitator, actor") is a critical and philosophical term that carries a wide range of meanings, which include imitation, representation, mimicry, imitatio, receptivity, nonsensuous similarity, the act of resembling, the act of expression, and the...
rather than in lexical vocabulary. The glottalized consonants /ɓ̰ ɓ̰ʷ ɗ̰/ have been described as either creaky voice
Creaky voice
In linguistics, creaky voice , is a special kind of phonation in which the arytenoid cartilages in the larynx are drawn together; as a result, the vocal folds are compressed rather tightly, becoming relatively slack and compact...
d or implosive
Implosive consonant
Implosive consonants are stops with a mixed glottalic ingressive and pulmonic egressive airstream mechanism. That is, the airstream is controlled by moving the glottis downward in addition to expelling air from the lungs. Therefore, unlike the purely glottalic ejective consonants, implosives can...
; according to Maddieson, they are evidently both, as in Hausa
Hausa language
Hausa is the Chadic language with the largest number of speakers, spoken as a first language by about 25 million people, and as a second language by about 18 million more, an approximate total of 43 million people...
.
The sequences which Hoffmann included in his consonant inventory are all labial–coronal:
- ps [fs], pɬ, pç [fç], pt, pts, ptʃ, mpt, mpts, mptʃ, bz [vz], bɮ, (bʝ [vʝ]), bd, bdz, bdʒ, mbd, mbdz, mbdʒ, ɓ̰ɗ̰, mn