Nso language

Phonology

Consonants

Stop sounds /b, t, d, k, ɡ/ may have affricated phonetic variants as [b͡v, t͡s, d͡z~ɖ͡ʐ, k͡f, ɡ͡v] when occurring before /ə/. Sounds /ɣ, m/ may have variants as [ɣ͡v, ᶬv] when in the same position.

Sounds /p/ and /h/ only occur in interjections, ideophones or loanwords.

/p, t, k/ may also have aspirated allophones [pʰ, tʰ, kʰ] in word-initial positions.

Prenasal fricative sounds /ᶬf, ⁿs, ᶮʃ/ may also have allophones as prenasal affricate [ᶬp͡f, ⁿt͡s, ᶮt͡ʃ] sounds.

Sounds /d͡ʒ, ʃ, k, ɡ, m, ŋ/ may be labialized as [d͡ʒʷ, ʃʷ, kʷ, ɡʷ, mʷ, ŋʷ] when before a vowel, and occurring only in the first syllable.

Vowels

Vowels are lengthened as /iː, eː, əː, aː, oː, uː/.

Sounds /ɛ, ɔ/ may also be heard as close-mid [e, o] in free variation.

Vowels /i, a, u/ are heard as [ɪ, ɜ, ʊ] when before /ʔ/ or nasal sounds.

Writing System

Nso uses an orthography based on the General Alphabet of Cameroon Languages (AGLC). An orthography had initially been created before being modified to follow the recommendations of the AGLC.

Nso uses 23 digraphs ⟨bv, dz, gb, gh, gv, gw, jw, kf, kp, kw, mb, mf, mt, mv, nj, ns, nt, ny, ŋg, ŋk, ŋw, sh, ts⟩ and 7 trigraphs ⟨ghv, mbv, ndz, nsh, ŋgv, ŋgw, shw⟩. Long vowels are indicating by doubling the vowel ⟨aa, ee, əə, ii, oo, uu⟩. Diphthongs are noted ⟨ay, ey, əy, oy, uy, iy⟩.

The high tone is indicated with the acute accent and the low tone with the grave accent on the vowel.

Phrases

Beri wo. Thank you.

Wiykijuŋ. You are welcome.

A sahka? What news? (Greeting).

Sah ka yo dzə. No news (Reply) or M bo sa. I am fine.

Yirannia. Good morning.

A sahka mbuni. How did you sleep?

Aresi nia. Good afternoon.

Yi ginia. Good evening.

Buni kijuŋ. Sleep well.

A ber ni kibveshi. Good bye until tomorrow.

Njemse juŋsi. Sweet dreams.

Wuna wosa. And to you.

Nyuy sævi wo. God bless you (Greeting).

Vishi vejuŋvi. Good luck.

Ghan kijuŋ. Safe journey.

Fo mo. Give me.

A du fe? Where are you going?

Yir yee dzə la? What is your name?

Yir yem dzə Lukoŋ. My name is Lukong.

A dzə wan la? Whose child are you?

M dzə wan Lukoŋ. I am Lukong's child.

Fon Nso dze la? Who is the traditional ruler of Nso?

Jiŋ yar mo. I am hungry.

Ki loŋ ki yum mo. I am thirsty.

M koŋ wo. I love you.

Marir mo. Marry me.

A du fee. Where are you going?

Laisin jaiy wom. Forgive me

M ker kibam. I have a bag

Kinga ki te'e. The grass is growing

Tsehti du šo. Shift it further away

Dze la ven. Who is this?

Kikoŋnin ki boŋ. Loving is good

Animal names

baa: leopard

jwi: dog

kan: monkey

kitam: elephant

bvèreh: lion

shishuiy: duiker

bvey: goat

njii: sheep

nyaar: buffalo

buhn: squirrel

yo: serpent

kinchiiy: cricket

taa ngam: spider

ngam: tarantula

kuurra: hyena

ngvev: chicken

kibev: he-goat

kibar: lizard

kiliim: bat

Other nouns

shuy: sun

mindzev: water

ngwa: book

nanar: pineapple

lav: house

kitukelav: roof

nsaalav: floor

shulav: door

ntah: chair

gham: rug

nton: cooking pot

bowl: (typically a small bowl)

bar: cup

nkaa: basket

sum: farm

minkkah: firewood

shishuur: pepper

chinyuu: spoon

mintanin: junction

la' cu: house of worship (church)

kitengteng: vehicle

sang: rice

kitukelav: roof

saav: file

tu': Irish potato

mbulam: sweet potato

kiku': cocoyam

kingom: banana

nyam: meat

mbang: walking stick

yiy: mom (mother)

tar: dad (father)

jemir: sister (relative)

tamir: brother (relative)

feer: relative (A general sense. Example: * M dze feer wo: I am your relative)

Tatakong:Stick insect

Adjectives

lum: hot

rə : cold

Dzer: Heavy.

Sen: Dark.

Fer: White

Shi'ir: Bitter.

Nyom: Sweet

nyaaŋ: Calm