| Nyingwom | |
|---|---|
| Kam | |
| Àngwɔ̀m | |
| Pronunciation | [ɲíŋwɔ̀m] |
| Region | easternNigeria |
Native speakers | (5,000 cited 1993)[1] |
Niger–Congo?
| |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | kdx |
| Glottolog | kamm1249 |
| Nyí ŋwɔ̀m | |
|---|---|
| Person | nyí ŋwɔ̀m |
| Country | àbìbì nyí ŋwɔ̀m |
TheNyingwom orKam language is aNiger-Congo language spoken in easternNigeria. Blench (2019) lists speakers residing in the main villages of Mayo Kam and Kamajim inBali LGA,Taraba State.[2] Lesage reports that Kam is spoken in 27 villages of Bali LGA.[3]
Nyingwom was labeled as branch "G8" inJoseph Greenberg'sAdamawa language family proposal. The precise classification of Kam is a matter of current research.
Speakers refer to themselves and their language asNyí ŋwɔ̀m. Kamajim (Kam:àngwɔ́g ɲí 'house of the people') is the traditional capital of the Kam at the western foothills of a mountain range situated to the north of the Kam River. The Kam have historically been in extensive contact with theKororofa Jukun.[3]
Kam or Nyingwom is spoken by approximately fewer than 5,000 speakers in the settlements of:[4]
However, Jakob Lesage estimates 20,000-25,000 speakers in 27 villages in May 2017.[3]
Unlike many other Niger-Congo languages, Kam does not have anoun class system.
| Labial | Alveolar | Palatal | Velar | Labiovelar | Glottal | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plosive | pb | td | tʃdʒ | kg | kpgb | |
| Fricative | fv | sz | ʃ | h | ||
| Nasal | m | n | ɲ | ŋ | ||
| Approximant | w | r,l |
| Front | Central | Back | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | iĩ | ɨ | u |
| Mid-high | eẽ | oõ | |
| Mid-low | ɛ | ɔ | |
| Low | aã |
Additionally, Nyingwom has sixtones;[5] high, mid, low, rising, falling, and high-falling.