Gula Iro language

Bua language of Chad

This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (February 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Gula Iro

Native to| Chad

Native speakers

| (3,500 cited 1991)[1]

Language family

Niger–Congo?

* Atlantic–Congo
* Mbum–Day
* Bua
* Gula
* Gula Iro

Language codes
ISO 639-3| `glj`
Glottolog| `gula1265`

The Gula Iro language (autonym kùláál) is a Bua language spoken by some 3,500 people (in 1991) north and east of Lake Iro in southern Chad, between the Bola and Salamat rivers. It has four dialects, according to Pairault:

* páṭóól (350 speakers), the northernmost and the least comprehensible to speakers of the other dialects, spoken in and around Badi;
* pòŋààl (2,000 speakers), by the north shore of the lake, spoken in and around Boum Kabir, Boum Sarher, and Tordjigel;
* tɩ́ààlà (730 speakers), spoken east and south of the lake, including Kouré, Bouni, Tormorhal, and Masidjanga;
* tííṭààl (200 speakers), the easternmost, spoken in various villages west of Tamba;

to which Ethnologue adds a fifth, Korintal (170 speakers), spoken in Tieou.[1]

Gula Iro is very closely related to Zan Gula and Bon Gula, but they are not mutually comprehensible.

## Phonology

[edit]

The consonants, along with their orthography, are:

| Bilabial | Labiodental | Apico-dental | Postalveolar | Palatal | Velar | Glottal

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Plosives | p  |  | t  | ṭ  |  | k  |
Fricatives |  | f  |  |  | s  |  | h
Liquids | w  |  | l  |  | y  |
Nasal | m  |  | n  |  | ñ  | ŋ
Trills |  |  | r

The vowels are: a, e, i, o, u, ɛ, ɩ, ɔ, ʋ. Nasalization (only on a, e, o) and length are both contrastive, and diphthongs can be formed. Tone is phonemic; each vowel must carry high or low tone.

## Grammar

[edit]

Typical word order is subject–verb–object. The basic subject pronouns are: ñó I, mó you (sg.), á he/she/it, pʋ́ we (exclusive), én we (inclusive), í you (pl.), ʋ́ they.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* P. Boyeldieu. "La formation du pluriel nominal en kulaal (Tchad): essai de systématisation des documents publiés par C. Pairault". Afrika und Übersee, 1986, n° 69, vol. 2, p. 209-249.
* C. Pairault, Documents du parler d'iro: kùláál du Tchad. Langues et Littérature de l'Afrique Noire V. Klincksieck: Paris 1969.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Gula Iro at Ethnologue (25th ed., 2022)

* v
* t
* e

Adamawa languages

Waja–Kam|

* Kam
* Bangwinji
* Dadiya
* Dijim-Bwilim
* Kamo
* Tso
* Tula
* Waja
* Yebu

Leko–Nimbari|

| Leko|

* Chamba Leko
* Kolbila
* Nyong
* Wom

|

Duru|

* Dii
* Doyayo
* Dugun
* Duupa
* Koma
* Longto
* Peere
* Sewe
* Vere

Mumuye–Yendang|

| Mumuye|

* Mumuye
* Pangseng
* Rang

|

Yendang|

* Bali
* Kpasam
* Kugama
* Kumba
* Teme
* Waka
* Yendang
* Yotti

Other|

* Nimbari

Bambukic|

| Bikwin–Jen|

* Dza (Jen)
* Mingang Doso
* Tha
* Joole
* Burak
* Loo
* Maghdi
* Mak
* Moo (Gomu)
* Leelau
* Kyak (Bambuka)

|

Bena–Mboi (Yungur)|

* Bəna
* Voro
* Lala-Roba
* Mboi
* Kaan

Other|

* Longuda

Mbum–Day|

| Mbum|

* Mbum proper
* Mbere
* Gbete
* Karang (Mbum, Laka)
* Nzakambay (Njak Mbai)
* Pana
* Ngumi
* Kare (Kãrɛ̃)
* Kuo (Koh)
* Sakpu
* Dama
* Ndai (Galke, Pormi)
* Mono
* Kali
* Mangbai
* Mundang
* Tupuri
* Pondo
* Gonge
* Tale
* Pam
* To
* (La'bi)

|

Kim|

* Kim
* Besme
* Goundo

Bua|

* Bua
* Fanian (Mana, Kobe)
* Niellim (Lua)
* Tunia
* Noy (Loo)
* Gula Iro (Kulaal)
* Zan Gula
* Bon Gula
* Koke
* Bolgo

Other|

* Day

Others|

* Kwah (Baa)
* Duli
* Fali
* Oblo?

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template