Cipu language

Cicipu is part of the Kambari branch of the Niger–Congo languages.

The most recent published classification{{cite book |last1=Williamson |first1=Kay |first2=Roger M. |last2=Blench |year=2000 |title=Niger–Congo in African languages: an introduction |pages=11–42 |location=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press}} has Cicipu as part of the Kamuku group of West Kainji. However more detailed studies{{cite report |last1=Dettweiler |first1=Steve |first2=Sonia |last2=Dettweiler |year=2002 |title=Sociolinguistic survey (level one) of the Kamuku language cluster |series=SIL Electronic Survey Reports |volume=2003-003 |url=https://www.sil.org/resources/archives/9215}}{{cite web |last=McGill |first=Stuart |year=2007 |title=The classification of Cicipu |url=https://app.box.com/file/1494659301428?s=cb5yljg1x8zc7b098iuem8s1j0fdsodo |archive-url= |archive-date=}} have shown this to be unlikely.

The Ethnologue used to list Cicipu as 'Western Acipa'. In Hausa, the language is referred to as Acipanci and the people as Acipawa.

Cicipu is spoken in Nigeria by approximately 20,000 people,{{cite book |author=CAPRO Research Office |year=1995 |title=Kingdoms at war : an enthic [i.e. ethnic] survey of Niger, Kebbi States and FCT |location=Jos |publisher=CAPRO Media}} split between Sakaba Local Government Area, Kebbi State and Kontagora Local Government Area, Niger State.

The Acipu themselves recognise seven distinct varieties of Cicipu. The dialect names are as follows (with the corresponding Hausa names in parentheses):

• Tirisino (Karishen)
• Tidipo (Kadonho)
• Tizoriyo (Mazarko)
• Tidodimo (Kadedan)
• Tikula (Maburya)
• Ticuhun (Kakihum)
• Tikumbasi (Kumbashi)

The most common syllable type in Cicipu is CV, although there are fairly strong arguments for N and CVN. A small number of noun and verb roots begin with a V syllable. Lexical tone contrasts are found in nouns e.g. káayá ‘house’ and káayà ‘bean’, but not in verbs (although grammatical tone is important for verbs).

File:Cipu vowel chart.svg

Cicipu has an asymmetric six-vowel system. All vowels can be long or short, and all have nasalised counterparts. There are four diphthongs: {{IPA|/ei/}}, {{IPA|/eu/}}, {{IPA|/ai/}}, and {{IPA|/au/}}.

Consonant length is contrastive in Cicipu, e.g. yuwo 'fall' vs. yuwwo 'turn around'. Any consonant may be lengthened.

A large number of Cicipu words are borrowings from the lingua franca Hausa. The pronunciation of many of these loanwords has changed to fit in with Cicipu phonology, in particular with respect to vowel harmony.

Cicipu is not currently written, although a preliminary orthography proposal has been made, and a small number of trial books has been circulated.McGill, Stuart (ined). Some orthographic challenges for Cicipu. West Kainji Language Workshop, Safara Motel, Kontagora, 10 -12 March 2008, pp. 2-3.

• Journal of West African Languages

{{refbegin}}

• {{Cite JIPA|author=McGill, Stuart|title=Cicipu|volume=44|issue=3|pages=303–318|doi=10.1017/S002510031400022X|printdate=2014-12|soundfiles=yes}}

{{refend}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://cicipu.stuartmcgill.org/ Cicipu language website]

{{Platoid languages}}

{{Languages of Nigeria}}

Category:Languages of Nigeria

Category:Kambari languages