Abé language

Abé (also spelled Abbé, Abbey, Abi) is a language of uncertain classification within the Kwa branch of the Niger–Congo family. It is spoken in Ivory Coast.

Abé
RegionIvory Coast
EthnicityAbbé
Native speakers
300,000 (2017)[1]
Latin
Language codes
ISO 639-3aba
Glottologabee1242

The dialects of Abé are Tioffo, Morie, Abbey-Ve, and Kos.

In 1995 there were estimated to be 170,000 speakers, primarily in the Department of Agboville.

Phonology

Consonants

Abé Consonants[2]
Labial Alveolar Palatal Velar Labiovelar
Voiceless stops p t c k kp
Voiced stops b d ɟ gb
Voiceless fricatives f s j h w
Voiced fricatives v ɣ
Nasals m n ɲ
Laterals l
Trill r

Vowels

Abé Vowels[2]
Front ATR Front RTR Central Back ATR Back ATR
High i ɪ u ʊ
Mid e ɛ o ɔ
Low a

Abé demonstrates a tendency towards vowel harmony, with regards to both placement (front vs. back) and +/-ATR. /a/ does not participate in this system.[2]

References

  1. Abé at Ethnologue (25th ed., 2022) Closed access icon
  2. Kouadio Nguessan, Jérémie (1983). Herault, Georges (ed.). Atlas des langues kwa de Côte d'Ivoire (in French). Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: Agence de cooperation culturelle et technique. pp. 13–39.


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