Phonology

Some general comments

Mafeni (1971) must be recognized as the first scientific publication on NigP phonology, whose validity remains today. The dialect of NigP described by Mafeni is the Bendelian variety – the same as in Elugbe and Omamor (1991). This variety is spoken in the old Bendel State, now divided into Delta and Edo States. It is spoken very widely throughout Edo State and in the non-Igboid parts of Delta State. In the Igboid parts of Delta State, Igbo competes very strongly with NigP. In the Warri/Sapele parts of the State, NigP has creolized – as Elugbe and Omamor (1991) point out.

Although I address the Bendel variety here, it is necessary to point out that regional varieties often have minor differences in consonant and vowel systems as well as in vocabulary. A very easy and self-evident example is in the area of food. The NigP speaker from Kano may not be familiar with what a speaker from Warri means by /staʃ/ starch, a common, cassava-based food in the Delta. On the other hand, the Warri speaker may not know what the Kano speaker means by tuwo, a kind of pounded or kneaded food which is mainly rice-based. Nevertheless, there is complete mutual intelligibility between the regional varieties of NigP.

Speakers of NigP are known for the ease with which they use words in an ad hoc manner to describe specific concepts. However, a phonology of NigP can and should only describe a sound system based on the core of stable vocabulary that can be established as characterizing NigP all over Nigeria. Today several sub-varieties of NigP can be recognized:

(a) Northern variety, heavily influenced by Hausa;

(b) a South-western variety, newly emerged and often very like the Bendel variety;

(c) the Bendel variety, also referred to as Bendelian here, which some regard as standard (for example Elugbe and Omamor 1991);

(d) a Rivers variety with a very noticeable coloration from the Ijoid and other small languages of the Rivers and Bayelsa States;

(e) a South-eastern variety in the geopolitical zone referred to as the Southeast with a heavy Igbo coloration; and, finally,

(f) a Cross River variety which is heavily colored by the Cross River languages, especially Efik-Ibibio.

In Nigeria, NigP has no official status even though Government and its agents, like the National Orientation Agency (NOA), now use it as a means of reaching a wider audience.