Gur languages

The Gur languages, also known as Central Gur or Mabia, belong to the Niger–Congo languages. They are spoken in the Sahelian and savanna regions of West Africa, namely: in most areas of Burkina Faso, and in south-central Mali, northeastern Ivory Coast, the northern halves of Ghana and Togo, northwestern Benin, and southwestern Niger. A few Gur languages are spoken in Nigeria. Additionally, a single Gur language, Baatonum, is spoken in Benin and in the extreme northwest of Nigeria. Three other single Gur languages, the Tusya, Vyemo and Tiefo languages, are spoken in Burkina Faso. Another unclassified Gur language, Miyobe, is spoken in Benin and Togo. In addition, Kulango, Loma and Lorhon, are spoken in Ghana, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. Additionally, a few Mossi speakers are in Senegal, and speakers of the Dagaare language are also found in Cameroon. The Samu languages of Burkina Faso are Gur languages.

Gur
Central Gur Mabia
Geographic distribution	Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Togo, Nigeria
Linguistic classification	Niger–Congo? Atlantic–Congo Volta–Congo Savannas Gur
Subdivisions	Northern Southern
Language codes
Glottolog	cent2243  (Gur + Waja–Jen)
1. Koromfé (Northern)   2. Oti–Volta (Northern)   3. Bwamu (Northern)   4. Gurunsi (Southtern)   5. Kirma–Lobi (Southtern)   6. Dogoso–Khe (Southtern)   7. ? Doghose–Gan (Southtern)

Typological features

Like most Niger–Congo languages, the ancestor of Gur languages probably had a noun class system; many of today's languages have reduced this to a system of nominal genders or declensions or no longer have a class system.^[1] A common property of Gur languages is the verbal aspect marking. Almost all Gur languages are tonal, with Koromfé being a notable exception. The tonal systems of Gur languages are rather divergent. Most Gur languages have been described as following the model of a two tone downstep system, but the languages of Oti-Volta branch and some others have three phonemic tones.

History of study

Sigismund Wilhelm Koelle first mentions twelve Gur languages in his 1854 Polyglotta Africana, which represent ten languages in modern classification. Notably, he correctly identified these languages as being related to one another; his 'North-Eastern High Sudan' corresponds to Gur in modern classification.

Map showing the Mabia Languages that are currently under study.

The Gur family was previously called Voltaic, following the French name (langues) Voltaïques (named after the Volta River). It was once considered to be more extensive than it is often regarded today, including the Senufo languages and a number of small language isolates. The inclusion of Senufo within Gur has been rejected by many linguists, including Tony Naden.^[2] Williamson and Blench^[3] place Senufo as a separate branch of Atlantic–Congo, while other non-Central Gur languages are placed somewhat closer as separate branches within the Savannas continuum.

Kleinewillinghöfer (2014) notes that the closest relatives of Gur appear to be several branches of the obsolete Adamawa family, since many "Adamawa" languages in fact share more similarities with various (Central) Gur languages than with other Adamawa languages. He proposes that early Gur-Adamawa speakers had cultivated guinea corn and millet in a wooded savanna environment.^[4]

Classification

The regions on the map denote regional distribution of the Central Gur languages. The tree-diagram below denotes the relations between these languages and their closest relatives:

•  ? Greater Gur (or Gur–Adamawa)
  • Central Gur (or Mabia)
    • Northern Gur
      • • (1.) Oti–Volta (28 languages, including Mooré, Mamprusi, Dagbani, and Gurma)
        • (2.) Bwa (or Bwamu, Bomu, Bobo-Wule)
      • (3.) Koromfé (or Koromfe)
    • Southern Gur
      • • (4.) East Mabia
          • Gurunsi (or Grũsi) (20 languages, including Kabiye)
        • (5.) Kirma–Lobi
          • Kirma–Tyurama (Cerma, Turka)
          • Lobi–Dyan (Lobi, Dyan)
      • (6.) Doghose–Gan (Dogosé, Kaansa, Khisa)
      • (7.) ? Dogoso–Khe (Dogoso, Khe)
  •  ? Waja–Kam
  •  ? Leko–Nimbari
  •  ? (possibly other putative Adamawa languages)

The position of Dogoso–Khe in Southern Gur is not clear; it is not closely related to other members of the branch.

Bodomo (2017)

Bodomo (2017) refers to the entire Central Gur group as Mabia.^[5] The term Mabia is a portmanteau of the two lexical innovations ma- 'mother' + bia 'child'.^[6]

The following is a classification of the Mabia (or Central Gur) languages from Bodomo (2017), as cited in Bodomo (2020).^[6] Bodomo divides Mabia into three primary branches, namely West, East, and Central.

• Mabia
  • East (or Gurunsi, Grũsi)
    • Kasem
    • Sisaala
    • Kabiye
  • West (or Gurma)
    • Bassari
    • Konkomba
    • Moba
  • Central
    • Dagaare
      • Dagaare
      • Wali
      • Birifor
      • Safaliba
    • North
      • Moore
    • Mid-Central
      • Mabiene
      • Frafra (Nankanè)
      • Nabit
    • South
      • Dagbani
      • Mampruli
      • Nanuni (a dialect of Dagbani)
    • Kusaal
      • Kusaal (Kusasi)
      • Talni
    • Buli–Konni
      • Buli
      • Konni
    • Hanga–Kamara
      • Hanga
      • Kamara

The term Mabia, instead of Gur, is also used by Naden (2021).^[7]

Naden (2021) lists the languages of the Southern/Eastern Mabia group as Dagbani, Hanga, Kantoosi, Kamara, Kusaal (Kusasi), Mampruli (Mamprusi), Nabit, Nanun/Nanuni (also considered a dialect of Dagbani), and Talni.

Comparative vocabulary

Sample basic vocabulary of Gur languages:

Note: In table cells with slashes, the singular form is given before the slash, while the plural form follows the slash.

Language (Village)	eye	ear	nose	tooth	tongue	mouth	blood	bone	tree	water	eat	name
Proto-Central Gur[8]			*me (Oti-Volta, Gurunsi)	*ye (Gurunsi, Kurumfe)			*ñam, *ñim (Oti-Volta, Kurumfe)	*ʔob, *ʔo	*tɪ (Oti-Volta, Gurunsi)	*ni, *ne; *nã (Oti-Volta, Gurunsi)	*di	*yɪɗ, *yɪd (Oti-Volta, Gurunsi)
Kirma[9]	yifelle / yifiŋa	tuŋu / tunni	mɛlle / miẽŋa	nyilaŋu / nyiene	dyumelle / dyumiẽŋa	nuŋu / nunni	tammã	kogwoŋu / kogonne	tibiu / tibinni	humma	w	yere
Tyurama[9]	yisiri / yinya	twõgo / tõnya	meare / miaga	nyirogu / nyiranya	nambene / namblaga	nogu / nõnya	toama	kukugogu / kukunya	tibikugu / tibinyinya	huma	owu	yiri / yiga
Proto-Gurunsi[10]	*s₁l	*di₂/e/o(l/n)	*mi₁/e/o		*de/u₂(l)	*no₂/i₁	*ca		*ti₂/e	*le/a/o; *ni₂/a/o	*di₁	*yi₂(l/d)
Lyélé[9]	yir / yira	zyẽ / zyã	myél / myéla	yéél / yéla	médyolo / médyaalé	nyi / nya	gyal	ku / kur	kyoo / kyémé	nẽẽ	gyu	yil / yila
Proto-Oti–Volta[11]	*ni / *nun	*tʊ	*me	*n / *n	*lɪm / *lam; *z₂ɪ (?)	*noː	*z₁ɪm	*kob; *kpab	*yi / *tiː	*ɲa	*dɪ	*yi / *yʊ
Dagbani[12]	nini	tiba (pl.)	nyee	nyini	zinli	noli	ʒim	kɔbili	tia	kom	di	yuli
Gourmanchéma (Fada N’Gourma)[9]	numbu / nuni/nini	tubli / tuba	miali / miana	nyenli / nyena	lambu / landi	nyoabu / nyoane	soama	kpabli / kpaba	tibu / tidi	nyima	di	yeli / yela
Mossi [Moore][9]	nifu / nini	tubre / tuba	nyõre / nyüya	nyende / nyena	zilemde / zilma	nore / nwɛya	zim	kõbre / kõaba	tiɣa / tise	kom	di	yure / yuya
Frafra[13]	nifo / nini	tʊbre / tʊba	yõore / yõa	yẽnnɛ / yẽna	zɪlɪŋa / zɪlɪsɪ	nõorɛ / nõa	zɪɪm	kõbrɛ / kõba	tɪa / tɪɪsɪ	ko'om	di	yʊ'ʊrɛ / yʊ'ʊra
Dagaare [Dagara, Dagari][9]	mimir / mimie	tour / tubl	nyoboɣr / nyobogɛ	nyim / nyimɛ	zel / zelɛ	nwor / nɛ̃	zĩ	kobr / kobɛ	tiɛ / tir	kõwõ/kwõõ	di	yur / ye
Proto-Eastern Oti–Volta[14]	*nuan-	*tuo-	*wuan-	*nin-	*dian-	*nua-	*yia-	*kuan-	*tie-	*nia-	*di-	*yi-
Bariba[15]	nɔnu, nɔni	so ~ soa, -su	wɛ̃ru	dondu	yara, -nu	nɔɔ (pl.?)	yem	kukuru	dã̀ã̀ (pl.?)	nim	tēm̄	yísìrū
Natioro (Timba)[16]	ɲǎːpéjá	ɲàŋwà	mṹnṹpwã́	ɲĩ́nã́ŋɟɛ̄	nɛ̃́mɛ̃́sáː	pɛ́lːɛ̄	sjã́ːmĩ́	kàːkwà	súmwà	lwā	àʔɔ́lɪ̄	ɲĩ́nã́
Natioro (Niansogoni)[16]	ɲĩ́kúpjé	jɪ̀pã̌	mṹnũ̀kũ̌	ɲínːáː	lámːjáː	nã́	tə́mǎ	nã́ŋkwáː	ʃjɛ̂	nṹmṹː	ìwɔ́nːã́	ínːã́
Natioro (Faniagara)[16]	ɲã́pʊ̀ːnã́	ífwã̀nã́	ʔṹnṹfã̀nã́	ĩ́ndáːnã̀	nĩ́ŋsáːnã̄	nã́ːnã̀	tímĩ́nĩ́	kʊ́kánã̄	síːkénã́	nĩ́mĩ́nĩ̀	ɛ̀wòlòjɛ́	ínã́ːnã̄
Moyobe[17]	mɛnɪ́bɛ̀ / ɪ̀nɪ́bɛ̀	kùtù / àtù	tíŋwáyí / áŋwáyí	tìní, kùní / aní	tìlénbí / àlénbí	ńnɔ́ɔ̀ / ínɔ́ɔ̀	ményɛ́ / ányɛ́	kúkɔ́hɔ́ / ákɔ́hɔ́	kùléé / àléé	mɪ́nɪ̀	li / lè	tìnyírì / ànyírì
Kulango (Bouna)[18]	piege / piewu	tengu / tenu	saŋa / sãum	kaɣangbo / kaɣam	delengbo / delemu	nɔɔɣɔ / nuom	tuɔm	zukukpo / zukum	diɛkɔ / diɛnu	yɔkɔ	dɪ	yukɔ / yum
Tiefo[19]	éjú	ēnɑ̃́tō	ēmɛ́ʔɛ́	kɔ̃́ʔɔ̃́	mʲɔ̃̄	ēnwɔ̃́ʔɔ̃́	ɟɑ̄lɑ̄, tɾɔ̃̄	kɑ̄ūʔù	ʃɪ̃́ʔɪ́			éjɛ́
Viemo (Diosso)[20]	gĩ́ːɾɔ̀	cũ̄ljɔ̀	mūmúɾō	kɑ̃́ːdɔ̄	lɑ̃́ːtīɾɔ̄	ŋɑ̃́	kjíːmō	fūfūɾɔ́	sóbò	númōɔ	nũ̄ɔ̃	índō
Viemo (Soumaguina)[20]	ɟĩ́ɾɔ̄	tuĩ́jɔ̄	mūmṹɾɔ̄	kɑ̃̄ːnɔ̄	lɑ̃́tīɾɔ̄	ɲɑ̄	tíɛ̄mɔ̄	fúfūɾɔ̄	sóbɔ̀	númɔ̄	jṹnũ̄ɔ̃̄kɛ̀	ĩ́dɔ̄
Samo, Maka (Toma)[21]	jǐ	to	ɲɛ̃	sɔ	lɛwɔ	lɛ	mɑ̀	wɛ	mú	dɑ	ɑ̀mɑ́mbíː
Samo, Matya (Kouy)[21]	jɛrːɛ	toro	jiːni	sɔ̃ːnɛ	nɛnɛ	lɛ	mɪjɑ̀	jɛrɛ	mú	dɑ́	ɑnebɑ́rè
Samo, Maya (Bounou)[21]	ɲoːnì; jɛrɛ	toro	ɲinijɛrɛ	so	leːnè	lɛ	mɑ̌	jɑre	mu	dɑ	ɑfɑ́bjèrè
Téén	hinbiye / hinbu	tenike / tenu	mɪtɪyaka / mɪtɪyɔ	kamaka / kaamʊ	delenge / delemu	nʊfɪya / nʊfɪyɔ	tɔbɔ (pl)	kpoloko / kpolowo	dɪyaa / dɪwɔ	ɔkɔ / ɔwɔ	dɪ	yɪraa / yɪrɔ
Toussian, South [Win][9]	nyi / nyɛ	nigi / ni	mene / menenã	nyin / nyinɛ	nampar / namparnã	ṽiãʔ-lɛ / ṽiɛ-nɛ̃	tõ	kəgbeke / kəgbal	sesuo-lɛ / sesar-lɛ	nĩ	nyõ	nyin
Toussian, North (Guéna-Kourinion)[9]	nyi / nyɔ	ni/nãn / ninã/nœnnã	mle / mlənã	nyen / nyennã	nenpüœra	via/ṽiã / wẽy	tiõ/tõ	kəble / kəblenâ	sepwel / sepyi
Siamou [Sɛmɛ][9]	nya/nyábí/nyábi	tà-syẽ̀ / tàsyẽ̀	már	nyèn / nyěn	dɛ / dɛ́	kõ̀ / kẽ	tṍ	kpár / kpar	timõ / timẽ	nũ	di	ỹi
Mambar[9]	nyíí / nyíî	nyuweŋ / nyuwɛyɛ	munna / munnaʔa	gã / gãʔa	nyire / nyiree	nyu / nyüyi	ʃiʃi	katyiɣe / katyiye	ʃiɣe / ʃire	loeʔoe	di	mbaɣe / mbɛyɛ
Senar (Kankalaba)[9]	nyini / nyinyẽy	nupaɣa / nupay	funan / funãge	gẽ/gan / gãgẽ	nyini / nyirke	nyuɣu / nyuy	sisyẽkɛ	kayige / katyiye	tiɣe / tĩyi/tĩr	Dogo	di	mɛɣɛ
Tenyer[9]	yɛde/yade / yɛgyɛ/yagyɛ	dyigi / dyii	mənɛ / məligɛ	nkan / nhagal	nyinkan / nyẽhegal	nye / nyey	tuno	kyilige / kyileri	katyigi / katyir	lɔgɔ	di	migɛ / mii

Numerals

Comparison of numerals in individual languages:^[22]

Classification	Language	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Bariba	Baatonum (1)	tía	ìru	ìta	ǹnɛ	nɔɔbù	nɔɔbù ka tía > nɔɔbatía (ka = and)	nɔɔbù ka ìru > nɔɔbaìru	nɔɔbù ka ìta > nɔɔbaìta	nɔɔbù ka ǹnɛ > nɔɔbaǹnɛ	ɔkuru
Bariba	Baatonum (2)	tiā	yìru	ìta / yìta	ǹnɛ	nɔ̀ɔbù	nɔ̀ɔbâ tiā (5 + 1)	nɔ̀ɔbá yìru (5 + 2)	nɔ̀ɔbâ yìta (5 + 3)	nɔ̀ɔbâ ǹnɛ (5 + 4)	wɔkuru
Central Gur, Northern, Bwamu	Buamu	dòũ̀	ɲuː	tĩː	náː	hònú	hèzĩ̀ː (5 + 1)	hèɲuː (5 + 2)	hètĩː (5 + 3)	dènú	pílú
Central Gur, Northern, Bwamu	Cwi Bwamu	dòòn	ńɲūūn	ńɔlĩ̄īn	ńnáā	hòó	hòódwĩ̀ (5 + 1)	hòòɲū (5 + 2)	hɔ̀ɔ̀ˀlĩ̄ (5 + 3)	dĩ̀í́	ˀɓúrúù
Central Gur, Northern, Bwamu	Láá Láá Bwamu	dò	ńɲɔ	ńtĩ	ńnɛ́	hùanú	hùezĩn (5 + 1)	hòoɲu (5 + 2)	hɔ̀ɔtĩ (5 + 3)	dĩ̀iní	píru
Central Gur, Northern, Kurumfe	Koromfé	-ndom / ɡadɔm	ɪhĩĩ	ɪtãã	ɪnãã	ɪnɔm	ɪhʊrʊ	ɪpɛ̃ɛ̃	ɪtɔɔ	ɪfa	fi
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Buli-Koma	Buli	-yéŋ / wà-ɲī	bà-yɛ̀	bà-tà	bà-nààsì	bà-nù	bà-yùèbì	bà-yòpɔ̄āī	nāāniŋ	nèūk	pī
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Buli-Koma	Konni	kààní	àbɛ́lí / àlî	àbátá / àtâ	àbánìsà / ànísà	àbánʊ̀ / ànʊ́	ńyúóbìŋ	m̀pṍĩ̀	ǹníŋ̀ / àníì	ŋ̀wɛ́	m̀bâŋ
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Eastern	Biali	cə̄rə̄- / cə̄rə̄má (counting)	dyā	tāārī / tāārə̄	nààsī / nààrə̄	nùm	hã̀dwàm	pèléī	nēī	wáī	pwíɡə̄
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Eastern	Ditammari (1)	-béé, dèǹnì (counting)	-dyá, dɛ́ɛ́, diání	-tããtī	-nàà	-nùmmù	-kūà	-yīēkà	-nì	-wɛ̄	[tā]píítà
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Eastern	Ditammari (2)	denni	dɛɛni	tâati / tâadi	náà	numu	kuɔ	nyiekɛ	nni	nwɛi	tɛpiitɛ
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Eastern	Mbelime	yɛ̃nde	yēdē	tāātē	naasi	nummu	dūo	doodɛ̄	ninyɛ̃̄	wɛ̄ī	kɛ̄ piíkɛ
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Eastern	Waama	yòn	yɛ́ndí	táárí	náásì	nùn	k͡pàrùn	bérén	nɛ̃̀í	wɛ̃̀í	pííkà
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma	Gurma	yèndó	-lié	-tà	-nà	-mù	-luòbà	-lèlé	-nìː	-yìa	píìɡà
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma	Konkomba	-bàa	-lèe	-tàa	-nāa	-nmúu	-lúub	-lílé	-niín	-wɛ́ɛ	píìk
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma	Mɛyɔ́pɛ (Sola)	nni (-sɛ)	-tɛ́	tɑɑni (-tɑɑni)	nnɑ (-nɑ)	nnupũ (-nupũ)	kouulṹ (-kpuulũ)	sɛ́ɛ́i (-sɛɛi)	kɛpɑhɑ (-pɑhɑ), mɛtɛ́ ɑ́mɛ we kɛfi	kɛlɛɛ́, mɛsɛ ɑ́mɛ we kɛfi	kɛfi
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma	Nateni (1)	-cɔ̃̄, dèn, dènà (counting)	-dɛ́ɛ́, dɛ́ń	tã̄lī, tã̄di	nàhĩ̀	nùm̀	kɔ̄lì, kɔ̀dì	yēhì	nīì	wɔ́ì	pítā
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma	Nateni (2)	màcɔ̃́	dɛ́ɛ́	tãdi	nàhì	nùm̀	kɔ̀dì	yehì	niì	wɔ́ì	píta
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma	Ngangam (1)	mikpìɛkm	milíém	ńta	ńnàn	ńŋùn	ńlùòb	ǹlòlé	ǹnìín	ǹwɛ	píík
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma	Ngangam (2)	miba	mile	mita	minan	miŋun	miluob	milole	miniin	miwɛ	piik
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma, Moba	Bimoba	yènn	-lè	-tà	-ná	-ŋmú	-loòb	-lòlé	-niìn	-yià
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma, Moba	Moba	jènǹ	ŋáńlé / ńlé	ŋáńtāː / ńtāː	ŋánnâ / nnâ	ŋáńmû / ńmû	ŋáńlɔ́ːb̀ / ńlɔ́ːb̀	ŋáńlílé / ńlílé	ŋáńníːń / ńníːń	ŋáńwáī / ńwáī	píːɡ̀
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma, Moba	Ntcham	ǹ.-bá /-bɔ́, m̀-báá (enumerative)	ǹ.-lí, ǹ-léé (enumerative)	ǹ.-ta, ǹtàà (enumerative)	ǹ.-nàà, ǹnàà (enumerative)	ǹ.-ŋmòò, ŋ̀-ŋmòò (enumerative)	ǹ.-lùù, ǹ-lùù (enumerative)	ǹ.-lùlí, ǹlùlí (enumerative)	ǹ.-nìì, ǹníí (enumerative)	ǹ.-wá / -wɔ, ŋ̀wáá (enumerative)	sààláá, sààláá (enumerative)
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Gurma, Ntcham	Akaselem	m̀bá	mbìlé	ǹtà	ǹnàà	m̀ŋmɔ̀	ǹlòòbè	ǹlòlé	ǹɲìì	ŋ̀wɛ̀ʔ	pʷíʔ
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Nootre	Notre	yómbó	njéntà	ntáátí	nnáásí	nnú	nyúapè	npwɛ̀	nnii	nwà / ŋwà	píá
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest	Farefare	yénnó	yì	tã́	n náásí	n núú	n yòòbí	n yòpɔ́í	n níí	n wɛ́í	píá
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest	Mòoré	yé/yémbre	yì /yìibú	tã̀ /tã́abo	náase	nú	yòobé	yòpoé	níi	wɛ́	píiɡa
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest	Safaliba	àyàʔ	àyîʔ	àtâʔ	ànáásí	ànúú	àyòòbí	àyòpõ̀ĩ̂	ànɪ́ɪ̀	àwã̀ĩ̂	pẽ́ẽ́, pĩ́ẽ́
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest	Wali	bʊ́ŋjɪ̀ŋ ('one thing') / jíntì ('one)	ájì ('two thing') / jéé	átà / tàà	ánááhì / nááhɪ̀	ánú / nùù	ájʊ̀ɔ̀biɛ́ / jʊ̀ɔ̀bɛ́	ájúpúì / jʊ̀púi	ánì / nìì	áwɛ́ɪ́ / wáì	píé / píé
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest, Dagaari-Birifor, Birifor	Malba Birifor	bõ-ƴén (bomƴén)	áyi	ata	ánãan	ãnũun	ayʊɔb	ánũu-nɪ-áyi (5 + 2)	ánũu-nɪ-ata (5 + 3)	pié for bir	pié
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest, Dagaari-Birifor, Birifor	Southern Birifor	boyæn	ayi	ata	anaar	anuu	ayʊɔb	ayopoin	aniin	pie for bir	pie
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest, Dagaari-Birifor, Dagaari	Northern Dagaara	bõ-yen / bõe (thing-one)	ayi	ata	anaar	anũu	ayʊɔb	ayɔpõe (six-one)	anĩi	awaɪ / pi-waɪ	pie
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Northwest, Dagaari-Birifor, Dagaari	Southern Dagaare	bòn yéní / yenti	-yé / ye	-tà / ta	-nádɪ / nadɪ	-nù / nu	-yʊ̀ɔ́ / -yʊ̀ɔ́bʊ́ / yʊɔ	-yʊ̀ɔ́pɔ̃́ɔ̃́ / pɔ̃ĩ	-nìì / nii	-wáì / waɪ	píé
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Southeast	Dagbani (Dagomba)	ndààm, yín-ó, yín-í	-yí	-tá	-náhí	-nú	-yóbù	-yòpóìn	-níì	-wéy	píá
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Southeast	Hanga	-yɪnnɪ / lʊ̀ŋ̀kʷɔ́	ʌ́yíʔ	ʌ́tʰʌ́ʔ	ʌ́nʌ́ːsɪ	ʌ́nʊ́	ʌ́yóːbʊ̀	ʌ́yʌ́pʷòⁱ	ʌ́níː	ʌ́wáⁱ	pʰíːʌ́
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Southeast	Kamara	yínè	áyi	áta	ánâsɛ	ánú	áyɔ̀wí	áyɔ̀poi	ánnî	awàɛ	píyá
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Southeast	Kantosi	yéní	a-yí	a-tá	a-násí	a-nú	a-yóbù	a-yàpóì	a-níì	a-wài	píá
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Southeast	Kusaal	àɾàkṍʔ / àdàkṍʔ	àjí	àtá	ànáasíʔ	ànú	àjɔ̀ɔbíʔ / àjɔ̀ɔbʊ́ʔ	àjɔ́póéʔ	áníi	àwáíʔ	píi
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Western, Southeast	Mampruli	yɪ́nní / ndààm (in counting)	a-yí	a-tá	a-náásí	a-nú	a-yóóbù	a-yòpɔ̃́ì / -yòpwè	a-níì	a-wã̀y	pííyá
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Yom-Nawdm	Nawdm	m̩̀hén	m̩̀ɾéʔ	m̩̀tâʔ	m̩̀náː	m̩̀nû	m̩̀ɾòːndí	m̩̀lèbléʔ	m̩̀nìːndí	m̩̀wɛ́ʔ	kwíʔɾí
Central Gur, Northern, Oti-Volta, Yom-Nawdm	Yom (Pila)	nyə̌ŋ- / nyə̌rɣə-	-li	-ta	-nɛ̀ɛ̀sə̀	-nù	-lèèwə̀r	-nùɣa -li ('five and two', ɣa > 'and')	-li k͡pa fɛɣa (' two are not in ten ')	nyə̌ŋ- /nyə̌rɣə- k͡pa fɛɣa	fɛɣa
Central Gur, Southern, Dyan	Dyan (1)	bɛ̃̀ɡ / bɪ̀ɛlè	yèɲɔ̃̀	yèthɛ̃̀sì	yènàa	dìemà	mɔ̀lɔ̀dũ̀ (5 + 1)	mɔ̀lɔ̀ɲɔ̃̀ (5 + 2)	mɔ̀lɔ̀thɛ̃̀sì (5 + 3)	nĩ́kpó-cí-bèrè (10 - 1) ?	nĩ́kpó
Central Gur, Southern, Dyan	Dyan (2)	bɛ̃ɡ / bɪɛle	yenyɔ̃	yethɛ̃si	yenaa	diema	mɔlɔdũ (5 + 1)	mɔlɔnyɔ̃ (5 + 2)	mɔlɔthɛ̃si (5 + 3)	nĩkpo-ci-bere (10 - 1) ?	nĩkpo
Central Gur, Southern, Gan-Dogose	Dogosé	tìkpóʔ	ìyɔ̰́ʔ	ìsá̰a̰ʔ	ìyḭ̀i̬ʔ	ìwà̰aʔ	mà̰ nḭ̀ póʔ (5 + 1)	mà̰ nḭ̀ yɔ̰́ʔ (5 + 2)	mà̰ nḭ̀ sá̰a̰ʔ (5 + 3)	mà̰ nḭ̀ yḭ̀i̬ʔ(5 + 4)	ɡbùnè
Central Gur, Southern, Gan-Dogose	Kaansá (Kaansé)	tʰik̩͡po	ɛɲɔ̰	isãa	ɛɲee	ɛmwãa	maʔnik͡po (5 + 1)	maʔniyɔ̃ (5 + 2)	maʔnisãaʔ (5 + 3)	k͡ponko (10 - 1) ?	k͡pooɡo
Central Gur, Southern, Gan-Dogose	Khisa (Komono)	ílèŋ	ád͡ʒɔ̃̀ŋ	átʰɔ̀ʔ	ádàa	ánɔ̃̀n	nɔ̀k͡pòŋ (5 + 1)	nɔ̀́d͡ʒɔ̃̀ŋ (5 + 2)	nɔ́tʰɔ́ʔ (5 + 3)	nɔ̀dáa (5 + 4)	hʊ̀ k͡pélé / sínʊ̃y
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi	Kassem (1)	kàlʊ̀	ǹlè	ǹtɔ̀	ǹnā	ǹnū	ǹdʊ̀n	ǹpɛ̀	nānā	nʊ̀ɡʊ̄	fúɡə́
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi	Kasem (2)	kàlʊ̀	ǹlè	ǹtɔ̀	ǹnā	ǹnū	ǹdʊ̀n	m̀pɛ̀	nānā	nʊ̀ɡʊ̄	fúɡə́
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi	Kasem (3)	kàlʊ/ dìdʊǎ	ǹlè / ǹlèi	ǹtɔ̀	ǹnā	ǹnū	ǹdʊ̃̀	m̀pɛ̀ / m̀pwɛ̀	nānā	nʊ̌ɡʊ /nǒɡo	fúɡə
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi	Lyélé	èdù	sə̀lyè	sə̀tə̀	sə̀na	sə̀nu	ʃə̀ldù (5 + 1) ?	ʃàlpyɛ̀ (5 + 2) ?	lyɛlɛ	nə̀bɔ́	ʃíyə́
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi	Northern Nuni	ùdù	bìlə̀	bìtwàà	bìna	bìnu	badù	bàpà	lɛlɛ	nìbu	fíɡə́
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi	Southern Nuni	nə̀dʊ̀	bə̀lə̀	bàtwà	bànīān	bònū	bàrdʊ̀	bàrpɛ̀	nānā	nʊ̀ɡʊ́	fúɡə́
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi	Pana	ténɡí	ɲìí	cɔ́ɔ̀	nàasí	nṍn	nõ̀mpí	nõ̀ncó	bàndá	ɟèefó	fó
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Eastern	Bago-Kusuntu	ŋʊrʊk͡pák͡pá	bààlɛ̀	bàtòòro	bànásá	bàànʊ́	lèèjò	lʊ̀ŋlè	ɖìk͡pèèrè	kàkààrè /ŋʊrʊk͡pák͡pá tá sàlá (10 -1)	sàlá
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Eastern	Bogoŋ (Cala / Chala)	-re-, rʊ, -dʊ́ndʊlʊŋ	-la	-tooro	-náárá	-nʊ́ŋ	lʊʊrʊ	lɪkaarɛ	jiŋináárá (4 + 4) ?	saŋɡʊ́	ɡifí
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Eastern	Delo	daale	ala	atooro	anaara	anoŋ	looro	nyetooro (10 - 3) ?	ɡyanaara (2 x 4) ?	kadaale (10 - 1) ?	kufu
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Eastern	Kabiyé	kʊ́yʊ́m	nàálɛ̀	nàádozó	nàã́zá	kàɡ͡bã́nzì	loɖò	lʊ̀bɛ̀	lùtoozo	nakʊ̀	híu / náánʊ́wá
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Eastern	Lama (Lamba)	kóɖə́m	násə̂l	nàsìsɨ̀	násə́násá	násə́ná	lə̀ɖə̀	naosanautɨsɨ (4 + 3)	násə́nnásá (4 + 4)	nàkò	hʲú
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Eastern	Lukpa	kʊ̀lʊ̀m	naalɛ̀	tòòsó	naasá	kàk͡pásɪ̀	náátòsò (2 x 3 ??)	náátòsò m̀pɔ̀ɣɔ̀laɣá (6 + 1)	pə́lé fɛ́jɪ́ (- 2)	pɔ̀ɣɔ̀láɣáfɛ́jɪ́́ (- 1)	náánʊ́á
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Eastern	Tem (1)	káɔ́ɖe	sííɛ̀	tóózo	nááza	nʊ́ʊ́wa	loɖo	lʊbɛ	lutoozo	kéénííré	fuú
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Eastern	Tem (2)	káɔ́ɖe	sííɛ̀	tóózó	náázá	nʊ́ʊ́wa	loɖo	lʊbɛ	lutoozo	kéénííré	fuú
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Western	Chakali	dɪ́ɡɪ́máná / dɪ́ɡɪ́máŋá	álìɛ̀	átʊ̀rʊ̀ / átʊ̀lì / á-tòrò	ànáásì	āɲɔ̃̄	állʊ̀rʊ̀ / állʊ̀lʊ̀	àlʊpɛ̀ / lʊ́pɛ̀	ŋmɛ́ŋtɛ́l	dɪ́ɡɪ́tūū (10 - 1) ?	fí
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Western	Deg (Degha)	beŋk͡paŋ / k͡pee (for counting only)	anɛ / nɛɛ	atoro / tooro	anaarɛ / naarɛ	anue / nue	anʊmɛl / nʊmɛl (5 + 1)	anʊanɛ / nʊanɛ (5 + 2)	anʊatoro / nʊatoto (5 + 3)	anʊanaarɛ / nʊanaarɛ (5 + 4)	fi
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Western	Paasaal (Passale)	kɪ́dɪ́ɡɪ́ / dííŋ	bàlìyà / lìyà	bòtò / tóó	bànāā / náá	bɔ̀nɔ̀ŋ / nɔ́ɔ́ŋ	bàdʊ̀ / dʊ́ʊ́	bàpɛ̀ / pɛ́ɛ́	kyórí / kyórí	níbí / níbí	fí / fí
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Western	Phuie (Puguli)	déò / dùdúmí	ʔɛ̃́ɛ̃́	ʔárʊ̀	ànɛ̃́ / ànɛ́ŋ ?	ànɔ̃́ / ànɔ́ŋ ?	ànṍ déò (5 + 1)	ànṍ ʔɛ̃́ɛ̃́ (5 + 2)	ànɔ̃́ ʔárʊ̀ (5 + 3)	ànóŋ ànɛ̃́ / fí dùdúmí tʰõ̀	fí
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Western	Western Sisaala	bàlá / dɪ̀ɛ́n	bɛ́llɛ́ / lɛ́	bàtòró / tòró	bànáá / náá	bɔ̀mmʊ̀ɔ́ / mʊ̀ɔ́	bóldó / dó	bálpɛ́ / pɛ́	tʃòrí	nɛ̀mɛ́	fíí
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Western	Sisaala Tumulung	kʊ̀bàlá / dɪ̀áŋ	bàlɪ̀á / lɪ̀a	bàtórí / tórí	bànɛ́sɛ́ / nɛ̀sɛ́	bànɔ́ŋ / nɔ́ŋ	bàlídú / dú	bàlɪ̀pɛ́ / pɛ́	tʃòrí	nìbí	fíí
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Western	Sissala	balá	bɛllɛ	botoro	baná	bɔmmʊ́ɔ́	balɡo	balpɛ	córí	nɛ́mɛ́	fí
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Western	Tampulma	diiɡɛ	alɛɛwa	atoora	anaasi	anyuún	anɔɔrà	anɔpɛ	ŋmɛnaasa	diɡtó	fí
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Western	Vagla	k͡páŋ / k͡péé (when counting)	ànɛ̀ɛ̀	àhòrò	ànáázʊ̀	ànúè	ànʊ́mbɛl (bɛl a certain one )	àníídàànɛ̀ɛ̀	ámàntánnààzí / ŋmàntánnààzí	kábɛl (ka to remain )	fí
Central Gur, Southern, Grusi, Western	Winyé (Kõ)	ndo	nyɪ̃ɛ	ntɔɔ	nná	nwɔ̃́	nɡo	npiɛ	npɔɔ	nlɛbɪ	fʊ̃́
Central Gur, Southern, Kirma-Tyurama	Cerma (Kirma)	ǹdéiŋ	ǹhã́ĩ	ǹsíɛi	ǹnáà	ǹdîì	níedìeí (5 + 1)	níehã́ĩ (5 + 2)	níisìɛí (5 + 3)	nénnáà (5 + 4)	cĩ́ŋcíelùó
Central Gur, Southern, Kirma-Tyurama	Turka	dẽẽná	hãl	siɛl	n̩nə̃̀	n̩di	nã́ndèin (5 + 1)	nə̃́rə̃́hã̀l (5 + 2)	nə̃́rə̃́siɛ̀l (5 + 3)	dɛ̃̀ɛ̃̀sə́ (10 -1) ?	nṹɔ̃́sɔ̃̀
Kulango	Kulango (1)	ta	bíla	sããbe	na	tɔ	tʊrɔtãtã (5 + 1)	tʊrɔfriɲuu (5 + 2)	tʊrɔfrisãã (5 + 3)	tʊrɔfrina (5 + 4)	nuun
Kulango	Kulango (2)	táà	bílà	sã̀ã̀bí	nã́	tɔ́	tɔ́rɔ́tàà (5 + 1)	tɔ́rɔ́fíríɲũ̀ (5 + 2)	tɔ́rɔ́fírísã̀ã̀ (5 + 3)	tɔ́rɔ́fírínã́ (5 + 4)	nṹnũ̀
Kulango	Bouna Kulango	taà, tãã̀	bɪlà, nyʊʊ̀	sãã̀	naʔ	tɔ	tɔ̀rɔ̀ fɪn taà, tɔrɔ fɪ(rɪ) nyʊʊ̀ (5 + 1)	tɔ̀rɔ̀ fɪn bɪla (5 + 2)	tɔ̀rɔ̀ fɪn sãã̀ (5 + 3)	tɔ̀rɔ̀ fɪn na (5 + 4)	nuùnu, nûnu, tɔtɔ bɪla, tɔtɔ nyʊʊ̀
Lobi	Lobi	bìɛ̀l	yɛnyɔ	yentʰer	yɛnã́	yɛmɔɪ	màadõ	makonyɔ (5 + 2)	makõtʰer (5 + 3)	nyʊ̌ɔr bìr pʰéro (10 - 1)	nyʊ̌ɔr
Senufo, Karaboro	Eastern Karaboro (1)	nɔ̀ni	ʃyɔ̃̀ / ʃiɲ̀	tã̀ã̀	tíʃyàr /díʃyàr /ríʃyàr	bwà / bwɔ̀	kwaɲ̀	kwa-sĩ̀ĩ̀ (lit: "a second six")	kwa-tã̀ã̀ (lit: " a third six")	kwa-ríʃyàr (lit: "fourth six")	sĩʃye
Senufo, Karaboro	Eastern Karaboro (2)	nɔ̀nī	syã̀ŋ	tã̀ã	tésyàr / résyàr	bwà	kwāy	kwásĩ̀ĩ	kwátã̀à	kwàrésyàr	sẽ̄nsyē
Senufo, Karaboro	Western Karaboro	nɔ̀ni	ʃin	taàr	tɪhyɛɛ̀r	bwɔ̀	k(ʋ)lɔ̀n	klɔʃìn	kwɔtàar̀	wɔ̀dèfèr / wɔ̀def(ə)r ?	síncíl
Senufo, Kpalaga	Palaka Senoufo	niŋɡ͡be	sɔinŋ	taanri = tããri ?	jijilɛi = d͡ʒid͡ʒilɛi ?	kanɡuruɡo	kuɡɔlɔŋ	kuɡɔlɔŋ sɔinŋ (5 + 2)	kuɡɔlɔŋ taanri (5 + 3)	kuɡɔlɔŋ d͡ʒid͡ʒilɛi (5 + 4)	kɔ́jɛ
Senufo, Nafaanra	Nafaanra Senoufo	núnu	çíín	táárɛ̀	ɟíɟírɛ̀	kúnɔ	kɔ́ɔ̀nánù (5 + 1)	kɔ́ɔ̀náçíín (5 + 2)	kɔ́ɔ̀nátárè (5 + 3)	kɔ́ɔ̀náɟirɛ (5 + 4)	kɛ́
Senufo, Senari	Cebaara Senoufo	nìbín	sīin	tāanri	sīcɛ̄rɛ̄	kāɡūnɔ̀	kɔ̀rɔ́nī (5 + 1)	kɔ̀rɔ́sīin (5 + 2)	kɔ̀rɔ́tāanrì (5 + 3)	k͡pǎjɛ̄rɛ̄ (5 + 4)	kɛ́ɛ
Senufo, Suppire-Mamara	Mamara Senoufo (Minyanka)	niɡĩ̀ / niɡĩ (second set from SIL)	ʃɔ̃̀ɔ̃̀ / ʃũ̀ũ̀	tããrè / tããri	ʃiʃyɛ̀ɛrɛ̀ / ʃiʃɛɛrɛ	kaɡuru / kaɡuro	ɡ͡baara / ɡ͡baara	ɡ͡baa-ʃɔ̃̀ɔ̃̀ / ɡ͡baaraʃũũ (5 + 2)	ʃɔ̃̀ɔ̃̀lake / ʃũ̀ũ̀lakɛ (2 to 10)	niɡĩ̀fɔ̀kɛ / niɡĩlakɛ (1 to 10)	kɛ / kɛ
Senufo, Suppire-Mamara	Shempire Senoufo (1)	ninɡin	ʃuunni	taanri	sicɛɛrɛ	kaɡuru	ɡ͡baani	ɡ͡baʃuuni (5 + 2)	ɡ͡bataanri (5 + 3)	ɡ͡baɛɛrɛ (5 + 4)	kɛ
Senufo, Suppire-Mamara	Shempire Senoufo (2)	nanbin	ʃuunni	taanri	sicɛɛrɛ	kaɡro	ɡ͡baani	ɡ͡baʃuuni (5 + 2)	ɡ͡bataanri (5 + 3)	ɡ͡baɛɛrɛ (5 + 4)	kɛ
Senufo, Suppire-Mamara	Sìcìté Senoufo	nìkĩ̀	sɔ̃̀ɔ̃̀nì / sũ̀ũ̀nì	tã̀ã̀rì	sìcɛ̀ɛ̀rì	kānkūrò	ɡ͡bāārù	ɡ͡bārsɔ̃̀ɔ̃̀nì	ɡ͡bārtã̀ã̀rì / kāzɛ̄ɛm̀bē	ɡ͡bārsìcɛ̀ɛ̀rì / nìkĩ̀ndáʔá (10 - 1)	kɛ̄
Senufo, Suppire-Mamara	Supyire Senoufo	nìŋkìn	ʃùùnnì	tàànrè	sìcyɛ̀ɛ̀rè	kaŋkuro (< 'fist ')	baa-nì (5 + 1)	baa-ʃùùnnì (5 + 2)	baa-tàànrè (5 + 3)	baa-sìcyɛ̀ɛ̀rè (5 + 4)	kɛ̄
Senufo, Tagwana-Djimini	Djimini Senoufo	nuŋɡ͡ba	ʃyɛn	tããri	tid͡ʒɛrɛ	kaŋɡuruɡo	kɔɡɔlɔni	kɔlɔʃyɛn (5 + 2)	kɔlɔtããri (5 + 3)	kɔlɔd͡ʒɛrɛ (5 + 4)	kɛ
Senufo, Tagwana-Djimini	Nyarafolo Senoufo	nīɡbe	sīin	tāanri	sīcɛri	kōɡunɔ̀	kɔ̀línī (5 + 1)	kɔ̀lisīin (5 + 2)	kàtāanrì (5 + 3)	kàcɛ̄rì (5 + 4)	kíɛ̀
Senufo, Tagwana-Djimini	Tagwana Senoufo	nuɡ͡be	syẽ	tãri	tityere	koɡunu	nõli	nasyẽ (5 + 2)	natãri (5 + 3)	natyere (5 + 4)	kẽ / k͡prò
Teen	Téén (Lorhon)	tanɪ	nyoor	saanr	na	tɔ	tɔtanɪ (lit: five one)	tɔnyoor (lit: five two)	tɔsaanr (lit: five three)	tanbalˈpɔrwɔ (lit: one less than ten)	ˈpɔrwɔ
Tiefo	Tiéfo (1)	ʔe diɛ̃ni (attributive use: dɛ̃̀)	ɟɔ̃	sã́	ʔuʔɔ̃́ / ŋɔɔ (variant of Noumoudara)	kã̀	kã̀-dĩ (5 + 1)	kã-ɟɔ̃ (5 + 2)	kã-sá (5 + 3)	kã-ʔuɔ̃́ (5 + 4)	támúwá / kɛ̃
Tiefo	Tiéfo (2)	dɛ̃̀ / ʔë diɛ̃̀ni	jɔ̃	sã́	ʔuʔɔ̃́	kã̀	kã̀-dĩ (5 + 1)	kã̀-jɔ̃ (5 + 2)	kã̀-sá (5 + 3)	kã̀-ʔuɔ̃ (5 + 4)	tamʷúá / támú
Tusia	Northern Toussian (1)	nāɣ, nāɣ, nāɣ	nīnì	tɔ̄nɔ̀	jã᷇	klò	kùnũ᷇	kālèj	kɔ̀tɔ̃̂	kàjã̂	bwɔ̀
Tusia	Northern Toussian (2)	nṍṍkə̀	nĩ́ŋnõ̀	tṍṍnõ̀	ĩ́jã̂	klʊ̂	kv̀v̀nə̃̀ŋ (5 + 1)	kvììnĩ̀ (5 + 2)	k͡pwɛ̀ɛ̀tṍ (5 + 3)	k͡pààrĩ̀jã́ (5 + 4)	sàbwɔ̀
Tusia	Southern Toussian	núkú	nínɔ́	tɔ̃́nɔ́	ńyã́h	kwlɔ	kénúkò (5 + 1)	kwǎrninɔ (5 + 2)	kwǎrtɔ̃́nɔ (5 + 3)	kwǎryã́h (5 + 4)	ɡbãm
Viemo	Viemo (Vigye)	dũde [dʷũⁿde]	niinĩ [niːnĩ]	sãsĩ [sãsĩ]	jumĩ [d͡ʒʷumĩ]	kuɛɡe [kwɛɣe]	kõnũrã [kõnũɾã]	kõnĩse [kõnĩse]	jumĩjɔ niinĩ [d͡ʒʷumĩd͡ʒɔ niːnĩ] 4 x 2 ?	kwɔmĩdĩ fɛrɛyɔ [k͡pʷɔmĩⁿdĩ fɛɾɛjɔ] -1?	kwɔmũ [k͡pʷɔmũ]
Wara-Natioro	Wara	púwò	bǒ	tĩ́	náású	sùsú	sírìpò	súrũ̌tó / sínĩ̀tó	sĩ̂tĩ́ (+ 3?)	sĩ̂náású (+ 4 ?)	kã̀ã̀sá

Writing System

The Goulsse Alphabet was invented in 2022 as a native script for the Gur languages