Limbum – English Dictionary, English – Limbum Index and Grammar

By Francis Wepngong Ndi

This dictionary section of this book is a practical guide to standard Limbum. It has over 8.343 main references and approximately 4.500 sub-references. It is the second edition of the lexical database of Limbum. In it, homonyms have been numbered, their part of speeches distinguished and notes have been added to the definitions for clarity.
This edition of the Limbum - English Dictionary contains an English Index, Grammar Analyses, and some information on Limbum Dialects. The aim is to make it possible for Limbum learners to have one document that they can consult in order to gain an understanding of the language.
Francis Wepngong Ndi who is the main compiler was born in Mbot, Nkambe on January 15, 1968. He holds a Masters of Philosophy (MPhil) in Linguistics from Leiden University. He started his Lexicography work on Limbum in 2002 while working as a volunteer at the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) Yaoundé, Cameroon. His research interests are Morphology, Semantics, Pragmatics, Discourse Analysis, and Sociolinguistics.
Limbum (Mbum language) is an Eastern Grassfields Bantu language that is made up of three dialects. According to the International Mission Board 2023, the population of Limbum speakers is approximately to be 226,000. Most of the speakers are natives of the Nkambe Central and Ndu subdivision of the North West Region of Cameroon. Some groups of Limbum speakers can be found in major towns of Cameroon. Other significant groups of Limbum speakers live in Nigeria, Europe and the United States of America.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9781663254399

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Copyright © 2023 Francis Wepngong Ndi.

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ISBN: 978-1-6632-5438-2 (sc)

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CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction

I. Classification

II. The Language and its Speakers

III. Sociolinguistic Situation

Limbum—English Dictionary

English—Limbum Index

Chapter 1    The Alphabet

1.1.  Consonants

1.1.1.  Relation between Grapheme and Phoneme

1.1.2.  Prenasalized Consonants

1.1.3.  Palatalized Consonants

1.1.4.  Labialized Consonants

1.2.  Vowels

1.2.1.  Short Vowels

1.2.2.  Long Vowels

1.2.3.  Vowel Length

Chapter 2    Tone

2.1.  Lexical Tone Contrasts Marked by Diacritics

2.2.  Grammatical Meanings Marked by Diacritics

Chapter 3    Nouns

3.1.  Noun Classes

3.2.  Nominalisation

3.2.1.  Double Class Genders

3.2.2.  Single Class Genders

3.3.  Compound Nouns

3.3.1.  Nominal Compounds

3.3.2.  Nominal Association

Chapter 4    Numerals

4.1.  Cardinal Numbers

4.1.1.  Cardinal Numbers

4.1.2.  Counting Tens

4.1.3.  Counting on Base Hundred

4.1.4.  Counting Thousands

4.2.  Ordinal Numbers

4.3.  Fractions

4.4.  Numeral Concord

Chapter 5    Pronouns

5.1.  Simple Pronouns

5.1.1.  Personal Pronouns: 1SG+2 SG as a value for person

5.1.2.  The Inclusive Pronouns

5.1.3.  Complex Pronouns

5.1.4.  Subject Agreement

5.1.5.  Subject Pronouns

5.1.6.  Object Pronouns

5.2.  Possessives

5.2.1.  Adjectival Possession

5.2.2.  Focused Possession

5.2.3.  The differences between Focused and Default Possession

5.3.  Substantial Possession

5.3.1.  Focus Distinction in the Possessive Adjectives

5.4.  Other Forms of Possession

5.5.  Demonstratives

5.5.1.  Demonstrative Pronouns

5.5.2.  Referential Demonstratives Pronouns

5.6.  Reflexive Pronouns

5.6.1.  Differences between body part ‘head’ and the word ‘body’

5.6.2.  Use Body Parts in Exclusive Subject Constructions

5.6.3.  Default usage with the body part ‘hand’

5.6.4.  Use of possessives

5.6.5.  Non-coargument positions

5.6.6.  Agreement in the Constructions with body parts.

5.6.7.  Semantic meaning differences in subject exclusion

5.6.8.  Intrinsic verb reflexives

5.6.9.  Verbs with ‘body and body part ‘head’ suffixes

5.6.10.  Reflexivity in Verb Extensions

5.6.11.  Reflexive Nouns

5.7.  Emphatic Pronouns

5.8.  Unique Emphatic Pronouns

5.9.  Focal Pronouns

5.10.  Unique Acquired Pronouns

5.11.  Indefinite Pronouns

Chapter 6    Verbs

6.1.  Verbs

6.1.1.  Monosyllabic Verbs

6.1.2.  Disyllabic Verbs

6.2.  Infinitive Form

6.3.  Tense Markers

6.3.1.  Past tense

6.3.2.  Present tense

6.3.3.  Future tense

6.3.4.  Perfective vs Imperfective

6.3.5.  Mood

6.4.  Verb Extensions

6.4.1.  Pluractional Suffixes

6.4.2.  Directional / Reflexive and Separative Suffix

6.4.3.  Reciprocal / bifurcation and Separative Suffix

6.4.4.  The Itterative Suffix

6.4.5.  Attenuative Suffix

6.4.6.  Causative Suffixes

6.5.  Corpular Verbs

Chapter 7    Adjectives

7.1.  Adjectives

7.1.1.  Non - Derived Adjectives

7.1.2.  Attributive Use

7.1.3.  Predicative Use

7.2.  Comparative and Superlative

7.2.1.  Alternative Comparative and Superlative

7.3.  Derived Adjectives

7.3.1.  Non-reduplicated Derived Adjectives

7.3.2.  Attributive Use

7.3.3.  Reduplicated Derived Adjectives

Chapter 8    Prepositions

8.1.  Prepositions

8.1.1.  Locative Prepositions

8.1.2.  Locative Adverbs

8.2.  Speaker Environment

8.2.1.  Speaker Environment Locative Adverbs

8.2.2.  Horizontal /Vertical axis Prepositions

8.2.3.  Cardinal Directions

8.3.  Other Prepositions

Chapter 9    Adverbs

9.1.  Adverbs of Time

9.2.  Locative Adverbs

9.3.  Manner Adverbs

9.3.1.  Manner

9.3.2.  Alternative Manner

9.4.  Derivation of Adverbs

Chapter 10    Interrogatives

10.1.  Interrogatives

10.1.1.  Interrogative Markers

10.2.  Interrogative Quantifiers

10.2.1.  Interrogative Determiners

10.2.2.  Focusing in Interrogations

10.3.  Other Interrogatives

Chapter 11    Negation

Chapter 12    Sentence Structures

12.1.  Simple Sentences

12.2.  Complex sentences

12.2.1.  Relative Clauses

12.2.2.  Relative Complement and Reported Speech

12.2.3.  Coordinating Conjunctions.

12.2.4.  Similative Conjunctions

12.2.5.  Subordinating Conjunctions

12.2.6.  Contrastive Focus

12.3.  Syntactic Tonal Changes

12.3.1.  Syntactic Tone

12.3.2.  Echo Vowels

Conclusion

Abbreviations

References

LIST OF DIAGRAMS

A. Consonants’ Chart

B. Graphemes and Phonemes

C. Prenasalized Consonants’ Chart

D. Palatalized Consonants’ Chart

E. Labialized Consonants’ Chart

F. Vowels’ Chart

F.i. Short Vowels’ Chart

F.ii. Long Vowels’ Chart

G. Table of Lexical Tones

H. Table of Noun Classes

I. Table of Simple Personal Pronouns

J. Table of Complex Personal Pronouns

K. Table of Subject Markers

L. Table of Possessive (default) Adjectives

M. Table of Possessive Focused Adjectives

N. Table of Demonstrative Pronouns

O. Table of Referential Demonstrative Pronouns

P. Table of Emphatic Pronouns

Q. Table of Unique Emphatic Pronouns

R. Table of Focal Pronouns

S. Table of Unique Acquired Pronouns

T. Table of Speech Introducers and Complementizers

REMARKS

This Limbum Grammar book is meant to highlight and provide more insights into grammar findings that were published in the Limbum – English Dictionary and English – Limbum Index in 2015, together with new orthography reforms. Other academic works were useful to develop the grammar insights. These material were used to upgrade the Limbum Grammar Sketch that was published on the Afranaph Website in 2016.

Editor(s): Mr. Francis Wepngong & iUniverse editors

Cover layout: Ernest Bawe & iUniverse

Layout: iUniverse

Printing: iUniverse & Author Solutions

PREFACE

This grammar book has been designed with the aim of illustrating new orthography reforms and grammar analyses after we came up with more phonological and grammar findings as a result of recent work on the Limbum - English Dictionary, English – Limbum Index. With this book, we have been able provide some insights into Limbum grammar and we hope that it will be a useful tool for reading, writing and researching with standard Limbum. In this book, other grammar findings have been drawn from Francis Wepngong Ndi’s research articles and academic work.

The first Limbum grammar book was written by Mrs. Franzen Margo Eleonor. Franzen’s grammar book was based on research material that she collected from the South dialect. The dialect selected for written development by Wimbum Literacy Association (WILA) is the Central variety. The decision to select this variety might have been influenced by the fact that neighbouring languages have influenced those of the North and South. In this book, we have attempted to be explicit where Mrs. Franzen found some nuances. Moreover, we have used both linguistics and native sensitivity, to describe what could not easily be grasped by the first authors of any work in Limbum.

In order to better illustrate that there are no grammatical differences in the Limbum dialects, we have also added a phonological analysis of the dialect differences at the end of this book. Nevertheless, there are some minor vocabulary differnces in the dialects whose numbers are very insignificant. Since the percentage of such vocabulary is too insignificant, we haven’t included them in the dialectal analyses as can be found as an appendix to this book.

In this present edition, we have included many example sentences; some have been glossed in a simple manner whereas stadard glosses have been added to others. With both simple and standard glosses, we think both new learners and linguists will find that the examples are explicit. We have also attempted to provide some information about tonal changes in order to clarify the fact that tones on certain words can change in some parts of sentences. The examples of some parts of speeches have been presented in tables in order to show their range of usage.

INTRODUCTION

I.  Classification

Limbum is an Eastern Grassfields Bantu language grouped under Mbam-Nkam together with other languages like Mfumte, Yamba, Kwaja, Dzodinka, Mbe and Ndaktup. Limbum is also classified as Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Wide Grassfields, Narrow Grassfields, Mbam Nkam, Nkambe Lewis, M. Paul (ed.), 2009. ¹ The reference number for Limbum as can also be seen in the Atlas Linguistique du Cameroun (Dieu and Renaud 1983) is 903.

II.  The Language and its Speakers

Limbum is the language of the Mbum people, who live in Donga Mantung division of the North West region of Cameroon. The language is made-up of three major dialects. The differences between the dialects are phonological, and do not affect intelligibility. These three dialects have been labelled as ‘Nlintii’ (North Limbum), ‘Nlila’ ‘(Central Limbum), and ‘Nliyàa’ (South Limbum). The central dialect as has been used in this grammar sketch has been selected for writing Limbum by the Wimbum Literacy Association (WILA).

The people call themselves Wimbum and their territory Mbum. In Limbum, Li- means language. So Limmum means Mbum language. Wimbum means Mbum people and Wi- means ‘the people of’.

Limbum is in the list of the 25 most largest language groups in Cameroon.

III.  Sociolinguistic Situation

Limbum had the first contact with proper English after the First World War when part of Cameroonian territory including Mbum land was placed under British control. Though the area had been under the Germans, it is difficult to find any traces of German in the language except for some influences regarding culture, like the introduction of Christianity, which was first brought into the area by the German Basel Mission.

Limbum is predominantly used at home in preference to other languages like English, Pidgin, French, Hausa and Fulbe. As a language of commerce, it is used in many villages except in the major markets of Ndu and Nkambe where Pidgin, English, French, Hausa and Fulbe languages are also used. The choice of Pidgin English is predominant in these markets as it is the only lingua franca, which is widely used in the North West Region due to contact of many languages. Those who make use of Limbum still mix it with English or Pidgin English words though they might not have followed any formal education in English.

In churches one can find a mixture of English, Pidgin and Limbum. With the Baptists, the scripture is read in English and translated into Limbum or the sermon is delivered in English and translated simultaneously into Limbum in the urban and semi-urban areas. However in the rural areas, the preacher makes efforts to translate from English to Limbum. Now that the New Testament has been translated into Limbum, these preachers’ translation efforts will be lessen. Most songs in the Baptist Church are in Limbum. The Catholics and the Presbyterians make use of Limbum in their church proceedings to a limited extent, as the majority of Christians in the tribe are Baptists. While the Christian churches in the area mix Pidgin, English and Limbum during their worship proceedings the Muslims make use of Arabic and Hausa when worshipping or praying. Very few Wimbum are converts to Islam, thus the influence of Arabic and Hausa is limited as compared to that of English which is predominantly used by both Christians and Muslims as it is one of the country’s official languages.

The use of Limbum can also be felt in courts. In the court of first instance of Nkambe, which has been institutionalised by the administration, there is always an interpreter who assists those who cannot express themselves in English, French or Pidgin. But in customary courts, which are found in the palaces, all the court proceedings are in Limbum. This may be explained from the stand point that customary courts deal mostly with cases which are related to cultural matters and the language which best expresses that culture is none else but Limbum. Thus it is difficult to find non-native speakers in these customary courts, as some laws of the land do not affect them or are taken to the court of first instance where English is predominant.

The greatest influence on Limbum and its users is at school as most of the studies in the nursery, primary, secondary, and high schools in the area have always been carried out in English. Until recently, Limbum has not been taught as a subject. French is being taught as a subject by virtue of the fact that it is an official language like English. It is a long tradition that Limbum should be used only when pupils were having difficulties to understand certain things that are taught in English. Recently, the OPROELCA programme; Operation Research Project for the Teaching of Cameroonian Languages has been introduced and Limbum is being taught to some teachers who will in turn teach the language in some schools of Wimbum land. The Catholics especially have been making efforts to teach Limbum in schools and are thus advanced as far as this programme is concerned. This means that most educated Wimbum people do not know how to read and write their mother tongue, which obviously influences their use of this mother tongue. In most of the literacy classes organised for adults by the Ministry of Youth and Sports known as Adult Schools, Limbum is not taught since these classes are intended to provide basic education to those who have not otherwise received it. Recently there has been a lot of positive response towards mother tongue literacy among the Wimbum though they still do not make efforts to read and write the language, as the motivation for literacy in the mother tongue is not high.

ENGLISH

LIMBUM DICTIONARY

A a

a1 [á] conj. and. Mɛ̀ ba yɛ Ndì a zhìi mâ. I saw Ndi and his mother.

a2 [á] prep. together with. [Associative marker.] Fàakɛ be du ntaa a Nyaʼ. Fake will go to the market together with Nyah.

a3 [á] v.cp. 1) is. A muu wàa. She is my child. 2) this is. A ŋgwe ce e ba koo mbʉ nà na. This is the dog which caught the goat.

a4 [á] pr.dep. they. [Third person plural same-subject pronoun marker which follows a third person plural pronoun. It can also be used as a subject pronoun. Usually, it is used as a marker of respect when addressing chiefs.] Woowèe a ce ye ba kɛ? What are they eating? A be vʉ̀ àseʼkɛ? When are they coming? Var. o.

a5 [á] interrog. possible; really; actually. Wèe be dù ntaa a? Will you go to the market? E ba ye a? Did he actually eat it?

à1 [à] prep. 1) by. E koo ye à kùu. He held him by the leg. 2) at. Wèr ye be tarte à nduunjì. We will meet at the road. 3) into. Wèr be niŋ à kòp tɛ wèr bo sɛʼ ŋguu. We will go into the forest so that we can collect firewood. 4) on. E lìp ye à gèʼ. He has slapped her on the jaw. 5) towards. E dù à nduunjǐ ser ntaa. He has gone towards the market road. 6) to. Ntaandʉŋ be dù à mŋkʉ̀ʉ. Ntaandung will go to the farm.

à2 [à] pr.dep. he; she; it. [Third person singular same-subject pronoun marker which follows a class one singular noun or a singular pronoun.] Ŋkaa à koʼ mbe ce. The monkey has climbed on the tree.

à3 [à] inf. to. Mɛ̀ ba dù à ryɛ yèr ŋkʉʉ nfi.

I went to see our new chief.

à4 [à] pr.per. you. [Second person singular subject pronoun. Used in present tenses when followed by the continuous aspect and future tenses.] À ce dù ba fɛ? Where are you going? Cf. wɛ̀.

àbbeŋ àbbeŋ [àbbēŋ àbbēŋ] adj. lumpy.

àbbɛ̀r [àbbɛ̀ɾ] adv. widely.

àbbìi [àbbìː] adj. secret. Nsuŋ anà ku bii àbbìi. That is still secret information.

àbbo [àbbɔ̄] tem. within these days. E be vʉ̀ àbbo ca. He will come within these days. Cf. àbnòŋ.

àbee [àbēː] 1) adv. together; in a group. 2) n 7. united. Wèr yu àbee. We are together. 3) togetherness; unity. Àbee yu ŋger. Unity is strength.

àbɛbɛʼ [àbɛ́bɛ́ʔ] adj. in halves; in pieces; sectional.

àbfee [àbféː] adv. wisely.

àbgàʼ [àbgàʔ] adv. 1) in compartments. 2) in sections.

àbgwàgwaŋ [àbgwàgwāŋ] adv. sideways; on edge of flat objects. [Used in reference to flat objects.] Tɛr rnaaŋgòʼ anà àbgwàgwaŋ. Place that grinding stone sideways.

àbgwaa [àbgwāː] adj. diagonal.

àbgheʼ [àbɣéʔ] adv. speaking within a particular context. [Said of confidential discussions especially in public.]

àbkeʼ [àbkēʔ] adv. sideways. [Used in reference to space.]

àbloʼ [àblɔ̄ʔ] adv. pretentiously.

àblʉr [àblɨ́ɾ] adv. foolishly.

àbnòŋ [àbnɔ̀ŋ] tem. one of these days. Mbèŋ be kù gwè àbnòŋ ca. It will rain one of these days. Cf. àbbo.

àbsʉ̀ti [àbsɨ̀ti] adv. secretly; in hiding. Wèr à ye baa àbsʉ̀ti. We have eaten the corn-fufu secretly.

àbteese [àbtéːsé] adv. seldom; infrequently.

àbtɛŋ [àbtɛ̄ŋ] adv. sideways. [Said of a manner of walking.] E ce jɛ̀r àbtɛŋ. He is walking with his feet sideways.

àbtɛr [àbtɛ̄ɾ] adv. on mortgage; as a pawn. Màsà à m koo ndap anà àbtɛr. Masa took that house on mortgage.

àbʉ̀ʉsi [àbɨ̀ːsí] adv. to the front. Bèesi ntaaŋguu anà àbʉ̀ʉsi. Turn that log to the front.

a caa [á tʃā:] foc. be more than. [Used to express comparative notion.] Nfò à sàp a caa mɛ̀. Nfor is taller than me.

a caa sê [á tʃā: sê] foc. be more than. [Used to express superlative notion.] Nfò à sàp a caa mɛ̀ sê. Nfor is far taller than me.

àcìcì [àtʃìtʃì] adv. 1) free of charge. 2) without an accomplishment. 3) without a reason; without a motive. Muu ce war àcìcì. There is no reason why the child is crying.

àcii [àtʃíː] tem. on. [Used exclusively with reference to the days of the week.] M̀ be fʉ dù kù Nso àcii Sundɛ̀. I will go to Nso on Sunday.

àcùu [àtʃùː] adv. 1) currently talking about. A yuu woowèe a tʉr àcùu a? Is that what they are currently talking about? 2) appear at the moment when someone is being mentioned. Wèr à kaʼ ce deʼ àmbò ye, e ku tose àcùu anà. As we were talking about him, he appeared at the moment we mentioned him.

àcùu àcùu [àtʃùːàtʃùː] adv. saying the same thing in various ways.

àdeʼ [àdéʔ] v.aux. able; can. Àdeʼ à beʼ ŋwàʼ Limbùm a? Can you read Limbum? Cf. àtà.

àfa [àfá] n.loc. here; in this area. [Refers to proximity.] Bàràʼ à m̀ kɛ̀ʼ a vʉ àfa bèe a ce wɛp woowèe sê. When civilised people first came here people were very much afraid of them. Cf. àna.

àfèʼ àfèʼ [àfèʔ àfèʔ] tem. yearly.

àfo [àfɔ́] n.loc. there. Wèr à ba ce dù à rliisi mor a kaʼ bàʼ àfo mbeŋ à ba nè gwe a liisi. We were going to put out a fire but when we got there, rain had fallen and put it out.

àfo àfo [àfɔ́ àfɔ́] adv. frequently.

àfyôŋ [àfjɔ̂ŋ] Pl. bàfyôŋ. From French: avion. n 1a/2. airplane.

àgeŋ [àgéŋ] loc. separate; apart; aside. [Near but apart.] Fa tɛr lɛʼ àmʉ̀ mmoʼ kaʼ, tɛr ba àgeŋ. Do not put the calabash among the others, put it separately.

àgee1 [àgéː] prep. to. [Referring to what has increased.] Tee nyàa mòʼ kesee àgee mo. Cut more meat and add to it.

àgee2 loc. beside; near. [Higher degree of proximity.] Ce zhi tɛɛ àgee ndap. The tree is standing near the house.

agɛ̀r [ágɛ̀ɾ] n 1a. agate. [Precious stone]

àgho1 [àɣɔ́] 1) prep. on it. Mdip mi kʉ̀te àgho. Water has poured onto it. 2) with it. [Instrumental preposition.] Tee nyàa anà àgho. Cut that meat with it. Cf. nè.

àgho2 [àɣɔ́] adv. there. [Used to indicate availability of something.] Mgʉr mi yu àgho a? Is there any oil?

àjar [àdʒāɾ] adv. abundant. [Said of the moment we have something in abundance and it becomes useless.]

àjɛɛ [àdʒɛ́ː] loc. 1) elsewhere. 2) opposite direction.

àkoʼkoʼ [àkɔ́ʔkɔ́ʔ] adj. 1) hilly. 2) sloping downwards.

àlabà [àlábà] From Mbembe: shoulder dance. n 1a. shoulder dance.

àlɛŋ [àlɛ̄ŋ] adj. without ridges. Wèr tʉr nfèʼ à rbàashi nsuu kaʼ, wer be kù fàʼ zhi àlɛŋ. We don’t have the time to make ridges on this farm, we will just till it without ridges.

alùs [álʊ̀s] From English: aloes. n 1a. aloes; fleshy-leaved plant which is very bitter. Cf. ŋgʉ̀ceceʼ.

àlʉ̀ʼ [àlɨ̀ʔ] adv. ordinary day. Var. nyʉ̀lʉ̀ʼ.

àlʉ̀simbùu [àlɨ̀símbùː] adv. finally.

àmbè1 [àmbè] 1) loc. outside; out of the house. 2) adv. far away from home (village, tribe, country or continent). Masà ca à cu àmbè sê. This man has lived out of the tribe for a long time. Cf. njepmbè.

àmbè2 [àmbè] adv. unconcealingly; uncompromisingly.

àmbò1 [àmbɔ̀] conj. as; like. E ke gèe ŋgèe àmbò ŋkar zhìi. She behaves like her friend.

àmbò2 [àmbɔ̀] prep. concerning; about; regarding; pertaining to. E suŋ wèr rghàghar àmbò ŋgwe ba ŋkaa. He told us a story about a dog and a monkey.

àmbomma [àmbɔ̄m̩má] adv. privately; on my own. Mɛ̀ ba kòŋ à rlɛ̀ àmbomma kaʼ. I didn’t want to keep it privately.

àmbommap [àmbɔ̄m̩máp] adv. privately; on their own. Woowèe a mʉ koo mbàa a gap kaʼ a ku lɛ àmbommap. They took the money and did not share, but saved it privately.

àmbommer [àmbɔ̄m̩méɾ] adv. privately; on our own. Wɛ̀r à mʉ koo mkuu anà a lɛ̂ àmbommɛr. We took the money and kept it on our own.

àmbommee [àmbɔ̄m̩méː] adv. privately; on your own. Kòo nè yee mbàa lɛ àmbommee. Take your money and save it privately.

àmbommi [àmbɔ̄m̩mí] adv. privately; on his/her own. E ba koo mbàa anà a lɛ̀ àmbommi. He took the money and saved it privately.

àmbommoo [àmbɔ̄m̩móː] adv. privately; on your own. Wɛ̀ koŋ à rlɛ̀ àmbommoo a? Do you want to keep it on your own? Var. àmommbo.

àmbòrnyʉ̀ [àmbɔ̀ɾɲɨ̀] tem. late in the afternoon.

àmbùu [àmbùː] adv. in pursuit. Du àmbùu Emma suŋ ye wɛnɛ m̀ ce kɛʼ ye. Follow Emma and tell him that I am calling for him.

àmbùu àmbùu [àmbùː àmbùː] adv. chronologically.

àmbùuŋkùr [àmbùːŋkʊ̀ɾ] tem. evening.

àmmbò àmmbò [àm̩mbɔ̀ àm̩mbɔ̀] adv. 1) in bits. 2) individually. [Used when sharing or receiving in groups.]

àmnsòŋ [àmnsɔ̀ŋ] adv. without soup, sauce, meat or vegetables. E ye baa àmnsòŋ. He has eaten corn-fufu without vegetables. Cf. nsoo.

àmnʉ [àmnɨ́] adv. bear pain; boldly, stolidly, bravely. E cip àmnʉ. He has bravely stopped crying.

àmŋgoo [àmŋgōː] adv. in rolls.

àmŋoo [àmŋōː] adj. 1) unconfirmed. 2) adv. through rumour. Mɛ̀ ku yuʼ ba àmŋoo. I only heard through rumours.

àmoʼ [àmɔ̄ʔ] loc. Somewhere. Var. fàmoʼ.

àmʉ [àmɨ̄] prep. among. Mbʉ zhi ke koŋ à rkar àmʉ bee kaʼ. Goats don’t like to wander among people.

àmʉbùuŋkùr [àmɨ́bùːŋkʊ̀ɾ] tem. early evening. Var. mràŋràŋbùutʉ, mràŋràŋ.

àmʉndèe [àmɨ́ndè:] adv. averagely.

àmʉŋgàptʉʼ [àmɨ́ŋgàptɨ̄ʔ] tem. very early in the morning. Var. àmʉjìpjìp.

àmʉwɛ̀ɛ [àmɨ́wɛ̀ː] adv. a bit slow; a bit gradual. Var. àmʉfɛ̀ɛ.

àmyuur1 [àmjúːɾ] adv. without drinking or eating.

àmyuur2 [àmjúːɾ] adv. without nimbus clouds.

àmyuur3 [àmjúːɾ] adv. without being beaten.

anà [ánà] 1) pr.dem. that. [Used as a demonstrative pronoun when what is being referred to is near the hearer.] 2) det. the. [Referring to a person or thing already mentioned in discourse but not in sight.] Ŋwɛ̀ anà à ba vʉ a dû. The man came and went away.

àna [àná] n.loc. in this area. [Covering a wider sphere] Cf. àfa.

anà-ŋwɛ̀ [ánàŋwɛ̀] prep. together with. [Mostly used an an associative marker.] Lòr nè ndoŋ anà-ŋwɛ̀ vʉ àgho. Bring it together with that cup.

ance [àntʃē] n 1a. kind of vegetable with dark green leaves. [Its fruits are varied in colour; white, purple, dark blue and sometimes green.]

àndèe [àndèː] adv. 1) get better; improve in health. Zhii yaŋ zhi yu sèʼni àndèe. His health is now better. 2) within limits; enough. À kaʼ ce no mrùʼ, à no àndèe. If you are drinking wine, drink within limits.

àndò [àndɔ̀] adv. unfortunate manner.

àndùu [àndùː] prep. 1) on top of. 2) upon. 3) in addition to. 4) over.

anɛ [ánɛ́] sp.intro. they...that. [Used for the third person plural indirect speech introducer or complementiser.] Var. woowèe nɛ.

ànfor [àɱfɔ̄ɾ] adv. 1) indiscriminately. E ku ce lìp bèe ànfor. He is beating people indiscriminately. 2) haphazardly. Cf. bòotôr.

ànjɛ̌ anà [àndʒɛ̌ ánà] adv. in like manner.

ànjɛ̀ɛ [àndʒɛ̀ː] adv. too much; a lot. Cf. àsê, sê.

ànjɛ̌ɛjɛɛ [àndʒɛ̌ːdʒɛ́ː] adv. in a different manner.

ànjɛ̌ɛkɛ [àndʒɛ̌ːkɛ̄] interrog. how.

ànjɛ̀ɛmòʼ [àndʒɛ̀ːmɔ̀ʔ] adv. in a certain manner.

ànjì [àndʒì] adv. 1) manner of. 2) way of.

ànjìmo [àndʒìmɔ́] adv. repeatedly.

ànjìsàp [àndʒìsàp] loc. far off; afar; far.

ànjii [àndʒīː] adv. 1) haphazardly; by chance. 2) unexpectedly. Mɛ̀ ba bʉʼ rkìŋ anà ànjii. I broke that pot unexpectedly. 3) without planning. 4) by mistake. Mɛ̀ nyɛ̀ŋ ye ànjii e ku karsi nyor a lip mɛ̀. I stepped on him by mistake and he just turned and slapped me. Cf. àwàa.

ànòŋànòŋ [ànɔ̀ŋànɔ̀ŋ] tem. daily. Var. ànǒŋtʉʼ ànǒŋtʉʼ.

ànsiʼ [ànsīʔ] adj. small quantity.

àntaŋ [àntāŋ] adv. reasonably. E làa waʼ àntaŋ. He has said it reasonably.

àntàr [àntàɾ] adv. in anger; with destructive motives.

àntee [àntēː] adv. boldly.

àntuŋ [àntʊ̄ŋ] adv. 1) one after the other. 2) in a respective order.

àŋgàa àŋgàa [àŋgàː àŋgàː] tem. weekly.

àŋgàptʉʼ [àŋgàptɨ̄ʔ] tem. morning; at dawn; daybreak.

àŋgar [aŋgāɾ] tem. 1) young age; youth. [It pertains to a period when one is strong like a soldier who is a legal user of a gun. The word means gun.] Mɛ̀ m bii àŋgar a ce dù ntaa nje Nàjeryà nè mkùu. When I was young, I used to attend market at Nigeria on foot. 2) not yet enthroned.

àŋger [àŋgēɾ] 1) adv. forcefully. 2) prep. under the authority of; on behalf of. E ce gèe ba àŋger zhìi tâ. He is doing it under the authority of his father.

àŋgoo [àŋgōː] adj. many; plenty of.

àŋghuʼ [àŋɣʊ̄ʔ] adj. in a large quantity.

àŋghuʼnì [àŋɣʊ̄ʔnì] adj. much.

àŋwɛɛ àŋwɛɛ [àŋwɛ̄ː àŋwɛ̄ː] tem. monthly.

àrati [àɾátí] adv. not mysteriously. Var. àjaaja.

àrba [àɾbā] adv. exaggerate too much.

àrbòŋ [àɾbɔ̀ŋ] adv. in good faith.

àrghuuntaa [àɾɣúːntāː] n.loc. range. Jɛ̀r àmghuuntaa mtùu anà a be niŋ àfo. Walk along those mountain ranges and you will get there. Var. àmghuuntaa.

àrkoŋ [àɾkɔ̄ŋ] adv. through. [Said of war booty.]

àrmìsì [àɾmìsì] adv. towards the conclusion.

àrngòo [àɾngòː] tem. young age. [Pertaining to female.]

àrnsùu [àɾnsùː] tem. young age; youth. [Pertaining to male.]

àrwàŋ [àɾwàŋ] adv. circular manner.

àsê [àsê] adv. too much. Cf. sê, ànjɛ̀ɛ.

àsùsù [àsʊ̀sʊ̀] adv. unnecessary.

àsùusuu [àsùːsūː] adj. Sloping downwards.

àtà [àtà] v.aux. 1) can; be able to. Àtà m̀ beʼ ŋwàʼ ca. I am able to read this book. 2) may. Àtà m̀ du mbe Ŋkǎambɛ̀ʼ ntìni. I may go to Nkambe today. Cf. àdeʼ.

àtaakeʼ [àtáːkēʔ] adv. tender. [Said of a very young baby.]

àtɛ̀r [àtɛ̀ɾ] adj. 1) easy; possible. Ryɛʼnì ca rli yu àtɛ̀r kaʼ. This lesson is not easy. Lòr buu àtɛ̀r. Take things easy. Zhi yu àtɛ̀r enɛ mbʉ maʼ mmbùu kaʼ. It is not possible for a goat to lay eggs. 2) light; not tedious. Rfàʼ anà rli yu àtɛ̀r. That job is not tedious.

àtu [àtʊ̄] 1) conj. because of. 2) prep. in place of. Mɛ̌ làa mɛnɛ à fa nè mɛ̀ àtu yaa mbàa. I am saying that you should give it to me because of my money 3) on behalf of. Banla be dù làa àtu zhì tâ. Banla will go and speak on her father’s behalf.

àtu àtu [àtʊ̄àtʊ̄] adv. each and everyone. [Used in reference to the manner of distributing something.]

àtu kɛ [àtʊ̄ kɛ̄] interrog. why. Wèe ce làa weenɛ m fa nè wèe àtu kɛ? Why are you saying that I should give it to you?

àtʉtʉ [àtɨ́tɨ́] loc. near. À kaʼ yɛ nyo, à fa dù àtʉtʉ kaʼ. If you see a snake, don’t go near it.

awà [áwà] From English: hour. tem. hour.

àwàa1 [àwàː] adv. carelessly; haphazardly. E ke gèe zhì buu àwàa sê. He does his tasks very carelessly. Cf. ànjii.

àwàa2 [àwàː] n.loc. 1) beside; nearby; adjacent. Zhi nsuu zhi yu àwàa rò. Her farm is beside a stream. 2) edge. 3) around. Var. àbwàa.

àwâa [àwâː] excl. exclamation of surprise.

àwaŋ [àwáŋ] adv. openly. Woowèe a lɛ̀ yap mbàa àwaŋ. They kept their money openly.

awɛ [áwɛ́] conj. then. [Used to mark logical temporal progression in narratives.]

àwɛ̀ [àwɛ̀] excl. exclamation of surprise.

àwɛ̀ɛ [àwɛ̀ː] adv. slowly; gradually.

àyʼ [àjʔ] adv. no; affirming the negative. Var. àyìʼ.

àyàŋsè [àjàŋsè] tem. Tomorrow. Woowèe a be fʉʉ vʉ̀ àyàŋsè. They will come tomorrow.

B b

ba1 [bá] conj. and. Muŋkàʼ ba Ndukòŋ a caŋse e. Munkah and Ndukong have escaped.

ba2 [bá] foc. 1) rather. [It is used to mark counter-assertive focus and the exhaustive listing focus. It does not occur at the sentence initial position or before a subject.] À ce kòŋ wɛnɛ m̀ fa ba nè wɛ̀ a? Would you rather prefer that I should give it to you? 2) which one. 3) but. 4) instead. Nfò à yuu ba mrùʼ mbʉʉ. Nfor bought palm wine instead. E koo ba zhǐi fɛ? Which one did he take?

ba3 [bá] mod. ought to; should. [It marks obligative present.] Wɛ̀ ba ce dù. You ought to be going.

ba1 [bā] v.int. be. Nfò à ba ba mbena ntìni. Nfor was here today. Ŋkàʼ zhi be fʉʉ ba ànjɛ̌ɛkɛ? How is the feast going to be? Cf. yu.

ba2 [bā] ten. today past. Tamfʉʼ à ba dû kù Bàmendà. Tamfu went to Bamenda. bâ [bâ] Pl. bbâ From English: bar n 1a/2. bar.

bàba [bàbá] Pl. bbàba. n 1a/2. father.

babaŋ [bábáŋ] Pl. bbabaŋ. n 7/2. sweet edible shrubs; glory bush. Tibouchina urvilleana.

bàbàr [bàbàɾ] Pl. bbàbàr. n 7/2. split piece of wood; torn piece of something.

baʼ1 [báʔ] Pl. bbaʼ. n 1a/2. 1) leader. 2) strong male.

baʼ2 [báʔ] v.int. 1) wrap; plait; braid. 2) weave. Cf. kushi.

bàʼ1 [bàʔ] v.int. reach; arrive. Var. bàʼsi. Cf. niŋ.

bàʼ2 [bàʔ] v.int. loosen; untie. Cf. bàʼŋger, fyɛ̀ɛshi.

bàʼ3 [bàʔ] v.tr. rouse mysteriously. [Especially leopards or lions]

bàʼ1 [bȁʔ] Pl. bbàʼ. n 7/2. smaller bunch. [Said of banana and plantains] Var. rkɛŋ.

bàʼ2 [bȁʔ] n 7. termite trap.

bàʼ3 [bȁʔ] Pl. bbàʼ. n 7/2. hide-out hut to ambush bush fowls.

bàʼgòp [bàʔgɔ̀p] v.tr. capitalise on.

bàʼkupka [bàʔkʊ̄pkā] Pl. bbaʼkupka. n 1a/2. civet cat.

baʼni [báʔní] v.tr. 1) grip firmly. 2) rape.

bàʼni [bàʔní] v.tr. separate with force.

bàʼmbùu [bàʔmbùː] v.tr. unveil a secret.

bàʼŋger [bàʔŋgéɾ] v.int. loosen; become loose. Kʉ̀ à bàʼŋger mbʉ à caŋ. The rope became loose and the goat escaped. Cf. bàʼshi, fyɛ̀ɛ.

bàʼri1 [bàʔɾī] v.tr. build; construct.

bàʼri2 [bàʔɾī] v.int. rest. [Said of a juju when it settles in a place.] Njeŋwɛ̀ fa vʉ̀ mbena kaʼ njobèʼ ncɛ̀p à bàʼri mbo. A woman should not come here because a juju has settled there.

bàʼrì [bȁʔɾȉ] n 1a. construction; building project.

bàʼsi1 [bàʔsī] v.int. 1) arrive. 2) finish; complete.

bàʼsi2 [bàʔsī] v.int. die; pass away.

baʼshi [báʔʃí] v.tr. prepare (luggage); arrange. Baʼshi buu lɛ njep bàa tɛ sò bo dù. Arrange things in the bag so that we can go.

bàʼshi [bàʔʃī] v.tr. loosen in a series.

bàʼti [bàʔtī] v.tr. 1) become very fond of. 2) go after (something or somebody). Bèe a bàʼti àmbùu njɛ̀ɛ fʉ̀shì anà sê. People have gone after that kind of umbrella so much.

bàʼti1 [bàʔtī] v.int. increase in quantity.

bàʼti2 [bàʔtī] v.int. become loose.

bàʼtì [bȁʔtȉ] Pl. bbàʼtì. n 1a/2. person who imitates excessively. Var. bàʼtìsòpŋgwè.

ba nè [bā nè] asp. already, perfective aspect. [Marker of perfective action.] Mɛ̀ dù banì a du ntaa. I went when he had already gone to market.

banɛ [bánɛ̄] conj. therefore; so; then. À kaʼ koŋ à rtʉr mbàa, banɛ à be fàʼ tatap. If you want to be rich, then you should work hard.

bàni [bàní] v.tr. hate one another; detest each other.

bàni [bànī] v.tr. separate from water by tilting the container. [Said of floating chaffs etc.]

baŋ1 [báŋ] v.int. taste sour.

baŋ2 [báŋ] v.int. be in shock; have an unpleasant feeling.

bàŋ1 [bàŋ] v.tr. 1) cut. [Said of a curved mark done with a cutlass or an axe.] 2) sustain a deep wound.

bàŋ2 [bàŋ] v.tr.3) shout at; scold. Cf. sɛp.

bàŋ3 [bàŋ] v.int. be red.

bàŋ4 [bàŋ] v.int. become ripe.

bàŋ5 [bàŋ] v.int. become tough; become difficult. Ŋgòŋ zhi bàŋ sèʼni njo fùp. The world is now difficult because of poverty. Cf. tap, tèe.

bâŋ1 [bâŋ] Pl. bbâŋ. n 1a/2. bullet.

bâŋ2 [bâŋ] Pl. bbâŋ From English: bank. n 1a/2. bank.

bàŋbaŋ [bàŋbáŋ] adj. reddish.

bàŋbaŋ [bàŋbáŋ] v.int. be worried. Nfò ce bàŋbaŋ njo yaŋ muu zhìi. Nfor is worried because of his child’s illness. Cf. kàka.

bàŋcɛrcɛr [bàŋtʃɛ́ɾtʃɛ́ɾ] Pl. bbàŋcɛrcɛr. n 1a/2. red traditional attire worn by notables.

baŋga [báŋgā] Pl. bbaŋga. n 1a/2. Fanti rough-winged swallow. [Also, generic name for all swifts and swallows.] Psalidoprocne obscura.

baŋger [bǎŋgeɾ] v.int. feel feverish. [This refers to an intuitive feeling of being stigmatised or something befalling an individual.]

bǎŋkàʼ [bǎŋkàʔ] Pl. bbǎŋkàʼ. n 1a/2. bamboo basket with small holes.

bàŋ mmir [bàŋ m̩mīɾ] v.tr. 1) be greedy. Ŋwɛ̀ ca ce bàŋ mmir nè mbàa. This person is greedy for money. 2) be covetous. Mɛ̀ nyii ye yaa cɛ̀ʼ, e ku ce bàŋ mmir àmbù mo. I refused to give him my shirt and he is still covetous of it.

bàŋri1 [bàŋɾī] v.int. become slightly red.

bàŋri2 [bàŋɾī] v.int. ripen slightly. Yuʼ zhi bàŋri. The banana has ripened slightly.

bàŋrìbàŋrì [bàŋɾìbàŋɾì] adj. suspicious. E ke kèʼ bàŋrìbàŋrì àmbò nyɛ̀ɛ waʼa. He looks suspicious like a thief.

bàŋsi1 [bàŋsī] v.tr. store in order to get ripe. E bàŋsi mŋgòmbe. She has stored bananas so that they can get ripe.

bàŋsi2 [bàŋsī] v.tr. redden; smear with something red. E bàŋsi cùu nè mŋgʉr mbeer. He has smeared his mouth with red oil.

bàŋsi3 [bàŋsī] v.tr. glare at.

bàŋsi mmir [bàŋsī m̩mīɾ] v.tr. become furious.

baŋshi [báŋʃí] v.int. 1) turn sour. 2) be spoiled.

bàŋshi [bàŋʃī] v.tr. slice off as slivers of meat; cut marks with a sharp knife or cutlass.

bàŋshì [bàŋʃì] Pl. bbàŋshì. n 1a/2. red-brown rat. Cf. jɛ̀r, tùʼ, feŋ, fuu, kyɛ̀ɛ.

baŋshibaŋshì [báŋʃíbáŋʃì] adj. sour.

baŋti [báŋtí] v.int. swirl; make waves.

bap1 [báp] Pl. bbap. n 1a/2. scab.

bap2 [báp] v.tr. dry over fire. Cf. zhʉʼshi.

bap3 [báp] v.tr. beat repeatedly.

bàp1 [bàp] Pl. bbàp. n 7/2. 1) wing. 2) branch or stalk of a raffia palm.

bàp2 [bàp] v.int. 1) rise (of the sun). 2) flash (lightning or reflection).

bàp3 [bàp] adv. 1) very fast. 2) quickly. A ke làa yuu à lo bàp. When something is said, act quickly.

bapni [bāpnī] v.int. 1) walk cautiously. 2) go secretly; walk in an inconspicuous way. Nyɛ̀ɛ à bapni a yɛɛ mbàa. The thief has gone secretly and stolen money.

bàpŋger [bàpŋgéɾ] v.int. flash repeatedly; glitter; sparkle.

bàpri [bàpɾī] v.tr. 1) roast quickly. 2) beat for a while.

bàpsi1 [bàpsī] v.tr. flash.

bàpsi2 [bàpsī] v.tr. 1) blink. Ŋgàŋ ce bàpsi mmir àmbò nzhɛ̀ɛ waʼa. The man is blinking like a thief. 2) beckon. [Especially with eyes.]

bapshi1 [bāpʃī] v.tr. warm up; heat up. [said of coagulated liquids like oil in a tin.]

bapshi2 [bāpʃī] v.tr. economize. Cf. boŋshi, kaʼshi, ŋòʼshi.

baptìr [báptìɾ] From English: baptist. n 1a. Baptist.

bàptir [bàptíɾ] From English: baptise. v.tr. baptise. Jǒn à m bàptir Jisòs. John baptised Jesus.

bàptîr [bàptîɾ] From English: baptism. n 1a. baptism.

bar1 [báɾ] Pl. bbar. n 1a/2. rock lizard. [Generic name for all lizards.] Var. mgbèʼbar. bar2 [báɾ]v.tr. pursue someone persistently. Ma à dù mbà nduunjì muu à bar ye. The mother was going down the road and the child pursued her persistently.

bar3 [báɾ] v.int. attach to. Rgʉ̀ rli bar nje ce rbì. A fig tree has attached itself to a kola nut tree. bar4 [báɾ] 1) v.int. spark. Mor zhi bar a too muu. The fire sparked and burnt the child. 2) v.tr. respond with anger. Wèr ye à ce gèe mcɛ̌r e bar mɛ̀. We were joking and he responded with anger.

bàr1 [bàɾ] v.tr. carry on the back. Var. bàrni.

bàr2 [bàɾ] v.tr. split part of. [Said of a flat piece.] Cf. bàaba.

bàr1 [bȁɾ] Pl. bbàr. n 1a/2. kind of cup used in the ‘ŋgiri’ juju society.

bàr2 [bȁɾ] Pl. bbàr. n 7/2. excrement; faeces.

bàràʼ [bȁɾȁʔ] n 1a. 1) civilised people; enlightened people. 2) administration.

barakì [báɾákì] Pl. bbarakì From English: barracks. n 1a/2. barracks.

bàràmbùu [bàɾàmbùː] Pl. bbàràmbùu. cn 1/2. kind of brownish shrub with small leaves and caterpillar-like seeds.

bàràʼmgbaŋ1 [bàɾàʔmgbāŋ] n 1a. hard substances found inside cocoyams.

bàràʼmgbaŋ2 [bàɾàʔmgbāŋ] n 1a. kind of insect, which destroys germinating grains.

barbar [bāɾbāɾ] n 1a. spleen.

bàrgbàrùʼ [bàɾgbàɾʊ̀ʔ] Pl. bbàrgbàrùʼ. cn 1/2. soft and discarded bamboo stems.

bàrmuu [bàɾmūː] Pl. bbàrmuu. cn 1/2. kind of juju, which follows the mask juju. [It usually carries a baby on the back. Very dark in colour.]

barni1 [báɾní] v.tr. 1) assist. [Assist someone by striking an animal which the first person shot, either with a weapon or with the hand.] Ndì à barni nyàa banɛ e be koo ŋkùŋ. Ndi has assisted in the shooting of the animal; therefore, he will take the tail. 2) support. Mɛ̀ barni wɛ̀ à ntaŋ ce wɛ̀ fa anà. I have supported you for the suggestion you have made.

barni2 [báɾní] v.tr. 1) stick. Tetèr à barni mɛ̀ à cɛ̀ʼ. A caterpillar is stuck on my dress. 2) gum; glue.

barniŋgùptu [báɾníŋgʊ̀ptʊ̄] Pl. bbarniŋgùptu. cn 1/2. kind of caterpillar pupa. [It is always found in a cocoon which sticks on some shrub branches.]

barŋger [báɾŋgéɾ] v.int. explode. Cf. waŋger.

barŋgòmbe [báɾgɔ̀mbé] Pl. bbarŋgòmbe. cn 1/2. scale of a plantain stem.

barse [báɾsē] v.tr. put together two objects. Barse mntaʼ bbaa vʉ àgho. Put two chairs together and bring them.

barsi [báɾsí] v.tr. urge to fight. Nformi ke barsi bèe bkòr sê. Nformi usually urges people to fight.

bàrshi [bàɾʃī] v.tr. shell part of corn being roasted from its cob in order to eat. E bàrshi kwâa a fa mɛ̀. He has shelled part of the corn from its cob and has given it to me.

bàruʼ [bàɾʊ́ʔ] Pl. bbàruʼ. n 1a/2. very tall kind of tree. [The leaves are usually far off the ground.]

bàsì [bȁsȉ] Pl. bbàsì. n 1a/2. small calabash cup with a torch- like shape. [Used by members of the ‘Ngiri’ society when the sides are decorated with a special pattern.]

bashi1 [báʃí] v.tr. stick on something. Ŋkoombʉ à bashi mɛ̀ à bcɛ̀ʼ. Blackjack is stuck on my clothes.

bashi2 [báʃí] v.tr. want strongly to be in company of someone; stick to. Muunje ca à m bashi mɛ̀, mɛ̀ lor à ŋgwa. This girl got stuck to me and I married her.

bashi3 [báʃí] v.tr. be fond of fighting; fight unceasingly.

bashibashì [báʃíbáʃì] n 1a. grass used for tattoo. [This grass contains heat which is released when stuck to the skin with liquid. It then causes the area to burn thus creating tattoo mark.] Var. barbâr.

bàtàari [bàtàːɾí] Pl. bbàtàari. From Hausa: towel. n 1a/2. towel.

bate1 [báté] v.tr. 1) trap between two objects. 2) press between; squeeze.

bate2 [báté] v.int. develop. [Said of corn or maize plants when they begin to bear produce.] Cf. bùr, ta, yʉ.

bati [bátí] Pl. bbati. 1) n 1a/2. calabash for collecting wine. 2) v.tr. attach to tap (calabash).

baa1 [báː] Pl. bbaa. n 7/2. hill; slope. Cf. rtùu.

baa2 [báː] n 7. madness. Baa zhi bòŋ kaʼ. Madness is not good.

baa3 [báː] v.int. embrace; throw arms around. Cf. ser, ghoŋse. baani embrace each other. Ŋgàlaʼ à m caŋ a baa zhìi mâ. Ngala ran and embraced his mother.

baa [bāː] Pl. bbaa. n 7/2. corn-fufu. Baa kwaa zhi ke bòŋ à njàpsʉ̀ sê. Corn-fufu is usually very nice with vegetables.

baa kwâa, baa mnsaŋ

bàa1 [bàː] v.tr. 1) plough. 2) till; cultivate.

bàa2 [bàː] v.tr. hate. Bèe mòʼ bàa msur sê. Some people hate pepper too much.

bàa [bȁː] Pl. bbàa. n 7/2. bag. bàa msʉsʉʼ raffia fibre bag.

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bàa ncàa salt bag.

bâa [ba᷇ː] num. two.

bàaba [bàːbá] v.tr. carry on the back. Cf. bàr.

bàacɛ̀ʼ [bàːtʃɛ̀ʔ] Pl. bbàacɛ̀ʼ. cn 7/2. pocket.

ba àdʉ̀dʉ̀ sê [bá àdɨ̀dɨ̀ sê] foc. 1) contrastive focus. 2) to a very great degree. [Used to express superlative notions.]

baaki [bāːkī] Pl. bbaaki. n 1a/2. outer area of house.

kù baaki behind the house (upwards).

mbà baaki behind the house (downwards).

ser baaki. 1) behind the house (sideways). 2) outer part of the wall. 3) veranda.

bàanduu [bȁːndúː] Pl. bbàanduu. n 1a/2. termite hole near the earth’s surface.

ba ànjɛ̀ɛ [bá ànjɛ̀:] foc. 1) contrastive focus. 2) to a certain degree. [Used to express comparative notions.] ba ànjɛ̀ɛ gòr [bá ànjɛ̀: gòɾ] foc. 1) contrastive focus. 2) to a greater degree. [Used to express superlative notions.]

ba ànjɛ̀ɛ gòr sê [bá ànjɛ̀: gòɾ sê] foc. 1) contrastive focus. 2) to an extreme degree. [Used to express superlative notions.]

ba àrba [bá àɾbā] foc. 1) contrastive focus. 2) to an extraordinarily great degree. 3) great to an extraordinary degree. [Used to express superlative notions.] Var. ba rkwe.

bàase [bàːsē] v.tr. 1) crisscross; crossing one another in different directions. Kaʼ ba enɛ wɛ̀ yɛ ye kaʼ banɛ wèe ye à bàase à nduunjì. If you have not seen him, then you have crisscrossed each other on the way. 2) place or contruct in a crosswise manner or pattern. 3) mark with patterns of crossing lines. Cf. wapshi.

baasi [báːsí] v.tr. spur to the extreme; fan.

bàasi [bàːsī] v.tr. forbid (drinks or food). Doktà à mʉ baasi ye mnsur. The doctor has forbidden him to eat pepper.

bàasòŋ [bàːsɔ̀ŋ] Pl. bbàasòŋ. cn 7/2. gap between the two upper front-teeth. Bèe moʼ a ke yɛ njeŋwɛ̀ nè bàasòŋ ku laa anɛ e boŋ e. When some people see a woman with a gap between the two upper front-teeth, they say she is beautiful.

baashi [bāːʃī] v.tr. gather together. Cf. tarshi.

bàashi1 [bàːʃī] v.tr. pour gradually on one’s hands. [said of water] Cf. bàni.

bàashi2 [bàːʃī] v.tr. plough one after the other.

baashimbùu [báːʃímbùː] n 7. kind of weed, which folds its leaves when touched. [The weed has an erect stem. Its small compound leaves are situated around its flowers or seeds which are at its topmost part.

baate [bāːtē] v.tr. close (mouth). Wɛ̌ yeŋger à baatè cùu. Close your mouth when eating.

bàatee [bàːtèː] v.int. be guilty. [Used with reference to movement and way of looking.]

bàati [bàːtī] v.int. overflow. Rdip rli bàati. The river has overflown.

bàatu [bàːtʊ̄] Pl. bbàatu. cn 7/2. borderline by the side of a human head.

bbànì [b̩bànì] n 2~6. hatred. Var. mbàni.

bbǎpgʉ̀ŋ [b̩bǎpgɨ̀ŋ] cn 2. hidden cause; hidden motif. [Said of something that is related to an on-going conflict.]

bbep [b̩bép] n 2. 1) angry behaviour. 2) wild behaviour. Bbep bvi bòŋ kaʼ. Wild behaviour is not good. Cf. ntàr.

bbɛ̀p [b̩bɛ̏p] n 2. man’s loincloth; pieces of cloth tied around the waist.

bbìi [b̩bìː] n 2. lumps.

bboŋ [b̩bɔ́ŋ] n 2. visit to partake. [Said when a person is not a member of the meeting or society which he/she has visited.]

bbor [b̩bɔ̄ɾ] n 2. laziness.

bbòo [b̩bȍː] n 2. beard.

bbuu [b̩būː] n 2. thatch; grass to roof a house.

bbʉ̀shì [b̩bɨ̏ʃȉ] n 2. lightest corn-flour chaffs. Cf. bghaa, bsɛ̀kɛ.

bbyèŋge [b̩bjèŋgē] Sg. njèŋwɛ̀. n 2. women.

bca [b̩tʃá] pr.dem. these. [Used when referring to a plural noun from class 2 which is near the speaker.]

bcacaʼ [b̩tʃátʃáʔ] n 2. mud. Cf. ncàʼ.

bcàtè [b̩tʃȁtȅ] n 2. residue after the extraction of palm fibres.

bcaa1 [b̩tʃáː] n 2. marabou stork. [Also, generic name for various kinds of storks.] Leptoptilos crumeniferus.

bcaa2 [b̩tʃáː] pr.dem. those. [Used when referring to a plural noun from class 2 which is near the hearer.]

bcernàa [b̩tʃēɾnàː] pr.cont.dem. those ones. [Used when referring to a plural noun from class 2 which is neither near the speaker nor the hearer/addressee.]

bcɛ̀ɛbòʼ [b̩tʃɛ̀ːbɔ̀ʔ] cn 2. pumpkin leaves. [Said when selected to be cooked as vegetables.]

bcɛ̀ɛbòʼ bcɛ̀ɛbòʼ [b̩tʃɛ̀ːbɔ̀ʔ b̩tʃɛ̀ːbɔ̀ʔ] adj. feverish.

bcirmbèŋ [b̩tʃíɾmbèŋ] cn 2. early morning rain that lasts for a long time. Bcirmbèŋ bvi ke ba banɛ bèe be dù à mŋkʉ̀ʉ kaʼ. When we have early morning rain which lasts for a long time, people don’t go to the farm.

bcoʼ [b̩tʃɔ́ʔ] n 2. toothless gums.

bcop [b̩tʃɔ́p] n 2. payment for unlawful deeds. [If someone has violated the law which says that only the landlord should eat the first yield of corn, he will pay a fine for that unlawful act in order to avoid the consequences.]

bcùu [b̩tʃȕː] n 2. interest. [Part of the money paid as interest for a loan obtained from a contribution and banking society ‘njaŋgi’.] Cf. nsò.

bdàʼdarì [b̩dàʔdāɾì] From Fulfulde: saddle blankets. n 2. saddle blankets.

bdɛ̂ [b̩dɛ̂] n 2. oil residue mixed with water. [Usually used to cook vegetables.]

bdʉdʉʼ [b̩dɨ́dɨ́ʔ] n 2. foam; suds.

be1 [bé] v.tr. 1) confer with; consult. 2) seek one’s opinion. Ŋgàʼ à m yuʼ nsuŋ anà a vʉ a be mɛ̀ foŋ. Ngah heard the news and also consulted me.

be2 [bé] v.tr. invite for work.

be3 [bé] ten. shall; will. [Also used as a tense marker for the general future tenses.]

be [bē] v.aux. yet. [It is always used with a negative particle at the end of the sentence.] Mɛ̀ be du kaʼ. I have not gone yet.

bebep [bébép] adj. 1) bad; spoiled. 2) not easy.

be fʉʉ [bé fɨ̄:] ten. shall; will. [Tomorrow future]

be kèe [bé kè:] ten. shall; will. [Long term future]

beʼ [béʔ] Pl. bbeʼ. n 1a/2. small brown bird found in the compound; sparrow. Var. beʼŋgaadʉ̀.

beʼ [bēʔ] Pl. bbeʼ. cn 7/2. habitat for domestic animals. beʼŋgʉp fowl roost; hen house. beʼŋgwe dog’s cage. dog’s cage.

bèʼ [bèʔ] v.tr. 1) count; enumerate. 2) read.

bèʼmbèʼ [bèʔmbèʔ] v.int. argue; protest unequal responsibility. Cf. bèʼni.

beʼmbùu [bēʔmbùː] adv. headlong.

beʼmi [béʔmí] v.int. 1) go out of sight. E dù a beʼmi. He has gone out of sight. 2) disappear. Cf. beʼte.

bèʼni [bèʔní] v.tr. 1) compare with. 2) rival. 3) protest unequal responsibility. 4) imitate; copy. Cf. bèʼmbèʼ.

bèʼshi [bèʔʃī] v.tr. 1) count one after the other. 2) react extensively to what an elder said. [This is seen as an act of disrespect since a young man is not supposed to speak much in the presence of an elder.]

bèʼshìmndǔubèe [bèʔʃìmndǔːbèː] Pl. bbèʼshìmndǔubèe. n 1a/2. small kind of bird, which runs