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Manjak language

Manjak or Manjack (, ; ) or Njak is a Bak language of Guinea-Bissau and Senegal. The language is also known as Kanyop.

In 2006, the total number of speakers was estimated at 315,300, including 184,000 in Guinea-Bissau, 105,000 in Senegal and 26,300 in The Gambia.

Dialects

The Manjak dialects below are distinct enough that some might be considered separate languages.

  • Bok (Babok, Sarar, Teixeira Pinto, Tsaam)
  • Likes-Utsia (Baraa, Kalkus)
  • Cur (Churo)
  • Lund
  • Yu (Pecixe, Siis, Pulhilh)
  • Unhate (Binhante, Bissau)

The Manjak dialects listed by Wilson (2007) are

  • Canchungo (kancuŋuʔ) – central dialect
  • Baboque (babɔk) (formerly Teixeira Pinto) – eastern dialect
  • Churo (') – northern dialect
  • Pecixe (locally called pəhlihl; otherwise pəsiis), on an island to the south
  • Calequisse (kaləkiis), to the west of Canchungo

Phonology

Consonants

  • Sounds are heard in free-fluctuation with affricates in all positions except following nasals.
  • Sounds may also be lenited as when in intervocalic or word-final positions. can also be heard as a trill in free variation with when in word-final positions.

Vowels

Only vowels and may also have lengthened equivalents; and .

  • Sounds may also range to more mid sounds in free variation.
  • /ɐ/ may have a central allophone as [ʌ̈].
  • Sounds may have some fluctuation with lengthened sounds .

Writing system

The official spelling system for Manjak established by the Senegalese government is regulated by Decree No. 2005-983 of 21 October 2005.

References

Further reading

External links