Yiwom language

Yiwom (Ywom), also known as Gerka or Gerkawa by the Hausa,^[2] is a Chadic (Afro-Asiatic) language spoken in Plateau State, Nigeria.

Yiwom
Gerka
Pronunciation	[jʷom]
Native to	Nigeria
Region	Plateau State
Native speakers	(14,000 cited 2000)[1]
Language family	Afro-Asiatic Chadic West Chadic Bole–Angas Yiwom
Language codes
ISO 639-3	gek
Glottolog	yiwo1237

Sociolinguistic background

Ywom was formerly much more widespread, with Ywom toponyms found in southern Tarok-speaking areas.^[2] Roger Blench (2013)^[3] reports that Ywom is spoken in Hyel Ywom town and nearby hamlets. Many Ywom speak Jukun and Tarok as additional languages.^[3] Due to influence from Plateau languages, Ywom has various phonological features that are considered unusual for a West Chadic language, such as labiovelar consonants.^[2]

Phonology

Tones are at least high and low. Mid tone may be allophonic. Rising and falling tones are probably restricted to sequences.

Vowels are /i e a ɨ ə u o/. There may also be an ?/ɯ/. Three vowels are long, /aa ee ɨɨ/.

Consonants are:

ɓ			ɗ
p b			t d		c ɟ	k ɡ	kp ɡb	ɢ	ʔ
	f v	θ	s z	ʃ ʒ	ʃʲ	ɣ			h
m			n		ɲ	ŋ
	ʙ̪		l r
				j			w

Syllable-initial consonant clusters are Cw, Cj, Cr and Cl. NC also occurs; the N takes its own tone.