Nigerian Fulfulde, also known as Hausa States Fulfulde, Fula, or Fulani is a variety of the Fula language spoken by the Fulani people in Nigeria, particularly in the Northern region of Nigeria. It belongs to the West Atlantic branch of the Niger-Congo language family. Phonologically, Nigerian Fulfulde exhibits a system of vowel harmony and a relatively simple consonant inventory, including stops, fricatives, and nasal sounds.^{[1][2] [3][4]}

The syntax of Nigerian Fulfulde is characterized by a subject-verb-object (SVO) word order, but it is flexible due to the use of extensive nominal and verbal agreement markers. These markers convey information about gender, number, and person, playing a crucial role in indicating grammatical relationships within sentences. The language employs a complex system of noun classes, which impacts both nominal and verbal concord.^[2][3][4]

Word order in Nigerian Fulfulde is subject to pragmatic and contextual factors, allowing for variations in emphasis and focus. It often employs topic-comment structures, with the topic appearing at the beginning of the sentence and the comment providing additional information. Additionally, the language features extensive use of proverbs, idioms, and metaphors, reflecting the cultural characteristics of the Fulani people.^[2][3][4]

In terms of sociolinguistics, Nigerian Fulfulde is used in various domains, including everyday communication, traditional ceremonies, and religious contexts.^[2][3][4]

Nigerian Fulfulde has 40–50% intelligibility with Adamawa Fulfulde and is most similar to Central-Eastern Niger Fulfulde. Until recently in 2011 it adopted the Latin alphabet, and since 2003 is also written using the Arabic script with the Ajami variant used to write the language.^[1]

Origins

Nigerian Fulfulde is thought to have originated by some time in the 16th and 17th centuries with the arrival of Fulani pastoralists into Nigeria from Senegambia. As they migrated, they gradually settled in various parts of present-day Nigeria.

The Fulani movement into Nigeria was influenced by factors such as environmental changes, the search for pasture for their cattle, and interactions with diverse ethnic groups.

By the 19th century, the language became widespread across the northern region of Nigeria and in the early 19th century was spread by military conquest by Usman dan Fodio. Nigerian Fulfulde also spread throughout Nigeria by immigration and pastoralists groups moving throughout the Sahel region in search of water for their pastures.^[5]

References