Kadu languages

Small language family of southern Sudan

Not to be confused with the Sak language, also known as Kadu.

Kadu

Tumtum
Kadugli–Krongo
Geographic
distribution| Nuba Mountains of Sudan
Linguistic classification| Nilo-Saharan?

* Kordofanian (obsolete)
* Kadu

Subdivisions|

* Western
* Central (Kadugli)
* Eastern

Language codes
Glottolog| `kadu1256`

The Kadu languages, also known as Kadugli–Krongo or Tumtum, are a small language family of the Kordofanian geographic grouping, once included in Niger–Congo. However, since Thilo Schadeberg (1981), Kadu is widely seen as Nilo-Saharan. Evidence for a Niger-Congo affiliation is rejected, and a Nilo-Saharan relationship is controversial. A conservative classification would treat the Kadu languages as an independent family.[1]

## Classification

[edit]

Blench (2006) notes that Kadu languages share similarities with multiple African language phyla, including Niger-Congo and Nilo-Saharan, suggesting a complex history of linguistic convergence and contact.[2] However, more recently, Blench states that Kadu is almost certainly Nilo-Saharan, with its closest relationship being with Eastern Sudanic.[3][4]

Like the Nilotic, Surmic, and Kuliak languages, Kadu languages have verb-initial word order. However, most other languages of the Nuba Mountains, Darfur, and the Sudan-Ethiopia border region have verb-final word order.[5]

## Branches

[edit]

There are three branches:

* Kadu
* Western: Tulishi, Keiga, Kanga
* Central: Kadugli (incl. Miri, Katcha)
* Eastern: Krongo, Tumtum

## Classification

[edit]

Hall & Hall (2004),[6] based on Schadeberg (1987),[7] classify the languages as follows.

Kadu |

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Keiga

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Kamda, Tulishi

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Damba, Kadugli

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Miri

Katcha, Tuna

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Kanga, Kufa, Kursi, Lima, Shororo

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Krongo-Abdullah, Tumma

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Krongo-Tabanya

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Kurondi, Talasa, Tumtum

Dafalla (2000) compares 179 cognates in Kadugli, Kamda, Kanga, Katcha, Keiga, Kufa, Miri, Shororo-Kursi, and Tulishi. Dafalla's (2000) results are similarly to those of Schadeberg (1989).

## Reconstructions

[edit]

Some Kadu quasi-reconstructions by Blench (2006):[8]

Gloss | Proto-Kadu

|

bone | **-kub-
to cut, split | **deŋ-
to dance, sing, play | **bila
give | **-ɲa
head | **-tu
rat, mouse | **-fɛ
five | **turu

## Comparative vocabulary

[edit]

Sample basic vocabulary for Kadu languages:[9]

Language | name of language | name of people | name of locality | eye | eyes | ear | ears | nose | tooth | teeth | tongue | tongues | mouth | mouths | blood | bone | bones | tree | trees | water | eat (imperative) | name | names

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Mudo  | t̪u-muɗo | ka-muɗo |  | áyye | ɲéne (e ~ ɪ) | neesɔ | kisínɛ | ɔ́ŋgɔ́rɔk/n- | t̪íŋíni | ííni | ëëdɔ | niŋgɔ́ɔ́dɔ | níínɔ | niináádi | (t̪iŋ-)/aríída | gúba | gubúúni | nde-aadí | k-aadí | ɓííd̪í | urí | ɛrɛ | nɛ́ŋgɛ́rɛ
Yegang  | sani ma-yɛgaŋ; d̪-ayga | ka-yɛgaŋ | ɗi ma-yɛgaŋ; k-ɛɛgaŋ | ayyɛ | nigɛ́ɛ́nɛ́ | nɔɔsɔ ~ nɔssɔ | anɔ́ɔ́sɔ́ | ɓ-/arwɔk (nostril) | t̪ɪŋɪnɪ | kɪɪnɪ | t̪aŋʊɗɔ | anɗɔ́ɔ́nɛ́ | niinʊ | namnáád̪í | arid̪ʊ | t̪úŋʊ́ɓa | kooɓá | t̪aŋaɗí | kaaɗí | ɓiid̪i | kurɪ́ | ɛrɛ | kɛrɛ́ɛ́nɛ́
Kufo  | t̪iŋ-guufɔ | kud̪u maa-guufɔ | kuufɔ | ɛɛ | iyyɛ | nɛɛsɔ́ | íʃinɛ | mɔɔrɔ/níŋgɔrɔ | nd̪iŋiní | ŋiini | ŋɔɗɔ | ní-ŋáɗɔ | niinɔ | nitti | r̀ɗʊ | kuɓa | kuɓɔɔni | ffa | fáád̪ánɛ | ɓeeʃi | ʊʊri | ɛɛrɛ | nigirɛɛnɛ
Miri  | ti-miri, t̪umma maa-miri | kad̪u maa-miri, kad̪u maa-faɗɔ | ɲɲa maa-miri | ɔɔyɛ | iiyɛ | nɛɛsɔ | isinɛ́ | úmb-/nugúŋg-ɔrɔk (nostril) | t̪í-ŋíni | ŋíni | (ŋ)ŋáɗɔ | nagáŋgáɗɔ | niinɔ | niginíínɔ | ariid̪u | t̪uŋuɓa | kuɓʊʊní | ffa | nááfa | ɓiid̪i | ágúrri | ɛɛrɛ | nigirɛɛnɛ
Talla  | t̪in-d̪alla | kaa-d̪alla | t̪alla | ayyɛ | iyyɛ | naasɔ | isinɛ́ | ámb-/nigáŋg-árɔk | t̪-iŋŋini | iŋŋini | áŋdáɗuk | ni-ŋ́gɔɗɔ | niinɔ | niginíínɔ | ariid̪ʊ | t̪iŋguba | kuba | ffa | nááfa | ɓiid̪i | oori | ɛɛrɛ | nigirɛɛnɛ
Tolibi  | t̪ʊn-d̪uunu, t̪umma maa-d̪uunu; t̪olibi[11] | ku-d̪uunu | ku-d̪uunu | ɔɔe | iyye | nɛɛsɔ | iisɛ́nɛ́ | ḿbarɔ/nʊgʊ́mbárɔ | t̪íŋ-gini | ii-gini | ŋ́gɔɗɔ | nugúŋgɔ́ɗɔ | niinɔ | náá-, nɛ́ɛ́-níínɔ | (ǹd̪ɛ́!ríídó)/á!ríídó | kʊɓa | kʊɓooní | affá | nnááfa | ɓiid̪i | aguri | ɛɛrɛ | nɪgɛrɛɛnɛ́
Sangali  | t̪umma ka-saŋaali | ka-saŋaali | ka-saŋaali | aaya | iiyɛ | naasɔ | easana | ɓ-/nag-ɔŋgɔ́rɔ | cíɲ(g)ini | ágini | a-ŋgɔ́ɗɔ | nɔ-, (n)agʊ-niinʊ | niinʊ | naginíínʊ | ariid̪ʊ | t̪ʊ́gʊ́ɓííní | kúɓííní | fa | afáád̪ana | ɓííjí (j ~ d̪) | agúrí | (ɛ)áárá | nɛgɛ́ráána
Krongo  | niinʊ mɔ-ɗi | kad̪u mɔ-ɗi |  | ɓalí-m-ɔyʊ | (kalí-m-)iiyʊ | nɛaasʊ | nísinɛ | amʊ́ʊ́ni/nɪgámʊʊni | t̪ɪn-jɪnɪ | ɪ-jɪnɪ | cɔɔɗɔ | níjɔɔɗɔ | niinɔ | munɔ́ɔ́d̪i | ʌ́ríd̪ɔ | kúɓʊ́ʊ́í | nugúɓʊ́ʊ́ní | ffa | náfat̪ani | ɓiid̪i | ágʊ́rɪ | yaari | nigíɲaari
Talasa  | t̪alasa | kaa-d̪alasa |  | ayyɛ | kilyá-m-íyyɛ | nɛɛsɔ | nɛ́sínɛ | a-mʊ́ʊ́nɛ/nɛ́ga- | t̪i-giní | níd̪í-giní | t̪ɔŋɔɗɔ́ | nid̪ɔ́ŋɔɗɔ́ | niina | nim̀naad̪i | ard̪a | kʊ́ɓʊ́ʊ́ní | nʊ́gʊ́ɓʊ́ʊ́ní | ffa | nááfa | ɓiigi | aguri | ɛɛrɛ |

### Numerals

[edit]

Comparison of numerals in individual languages:[10]

Language | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

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Katcha (1) | ŋkɔ́tɔ́ | ɛɛɾa | íd̪ɔːna | iɡiiso | it id̪úmú | it id̪úmú úfúń ŋkɔ́tɔ́ | it id̪úmú úfúń ɛɛɾa | it id̪úmú úfúń íd̪ɔːna | it id̪úmú úfúń iɡiiso | ad̪aɓaaɡa
Kadugli (Talla dialect) (2) | ŋ́ɡɔ̀ʈɔ̀k / 'ŋ́ɡàʈɔ̀k | ɛ́ːrà | ɔ̀'dɔ́ːnà | í'ɡízò | ù'dúmːù | ǹ̩dɪ̀nà'nɔ́ːɡɔ̀ | ʈìˈmízò | ùdúmːúˈdɪ̀stà | ìˈzántà | ɔ̀ˈlɔ́ːnà
Keiga | t̪ɔ́l | arʲáŋ | t̪ɔ̀na | kisːo | t̪ʊ́mʊ | t̪ʊmaɲúŋɡʊ | aŋɗʊ́rkà | abːa | t̪aɲuŋɡaʲ | amdí
Krongo | t-yuŋwa | t-yáaryà | t-yóotòonò | t-yóocìisò | àrwá-tì-nìisò (litː 'hit/beat-SGT-hand') | àttì kí-tì nyúŋwá | àttì kí-tì nyáaryà | àttì kí-tì nyóotòonò | àttì kí-tì nyóocìisò | àttì kí-tì n-árwá-tì-nìiso
Tulishi (Kamda dialect) | kɔ̀ʈːɔ̀k | kɑ̀ːrɑ́ʔ | tɔ́ːnɑ̀ʔ | tíːsòʔ | tʊ̀mːʊ̀ʔ | rɔ̀sːɑ̀ʔ | kɔ́rɖɑ́ʈːɑ̀ʔ | ɑ̀ʈːɑ́ʔ | kɔ́rómɑ́dɔ̀ɓːɑ́ | tɔ̀ɓːɑ́ʔ

## See also

[edit]

* Kadu word lists (Wiktionary)

## Further reading

[edit]

* Blench, Roger. 2006. The Kadu Languages and Their Affiliation: between Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Congo and Afro-Asiatic. Insights into Nilo-Saharan Language, History, and Culture. Al-Amin Abu-Manga, L. Gilley & A. Storch eds. 101–127. Köln: Rüdiger Köppe.
* Blench, Roger (2019). "Shabo and Kadu: Two Orphan Branches of Nilo-Saharan". 14th Nilo-Saharan Linguistics Colloquium, Department of African Studies, University of Vienna.
* Stevenson, Roland; Roger Blench (ed). Comparative Kadu Datasheets.
* Reh, Mechthild. 1983. Die Krongo-Sprache (nììnò mó-dì): Beschreibung, Texte, Wörterverzeichnis. (Kölner Beiträge zur Afrikanistik, 12.) Berlin: Dietrich Reimer.
* Schadeberg, Thilo. 1994. Comparative Kadu Wordlists. Afrikanistische Arbeitspapiere 40:11–48. University of Cologne.

## Notes and references

[edit]

1. ^ Gerrit Dimmendaal, 2008. "Language Ecology and Linguistic Diversity on the African Continent", Language and Linguistics Compass 2/5:843ff.
2. ^ Blench, Roger. 2006. The Kadu languages and their affiliation: between Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Congo and Afro-Asiatic. Insights into Nilo-Saharan Language, History and Culture. Al-Amin Abu-Manga, L. Gilley & A. Storch eds. 101–127. Köln: Rüdiger Köppe.
3. ^ Blench, Roger. 2109. Chabu and Kadu: two orphan branches of Nilo-Saharan. Proceedings of the 14th Nilo-Saharan Linguistics Colloquium, Department of African Studies, University of Vienna.
4. ^ Blench, Roger. 2019. Shabo and Kadu: Two Orphan Branches of Nilo-Saharan. 14th Nilo-Saharan Linguistics Colloquium, Department of African Studies, University of Vienna.
5. ^ Güldemann, Tom (2018). "Historical linguistics and genealogical language classification in Africa". In Güldemann, Tom (ed.). The Languages and Linguistics of Africa. The World of Linguistics series. Vol. 11\. Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton. pp. 58–444\. doi:10.1515/9783110421668-002. ISBN 978-3-11-042606-9. S2CID 133888593.
6. ^ Hall, Marian and Hall, Edward. 2004. Kadugli-Krongo. Occasional Papers in the Study of Sudanese Languages 9. 57–68. Entebbe: Summer Institute of Linguistics Sudan.
7. ^ Schadeberg, Thilo C. 1987. Kordofanian. In The Niger-Congo languages, ed. by John Bendor-Samuel, pp. 66–80. Lanham: University Press of America.
8. ^ Blench, Roger. 2006. The Kadu Languages and Their Affiliation: between Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Congo and Afro-Asiatic. Insights into Nilo-Saharan Language, History, and Culture. Al-Amin Abu-Manga, L. Gilley & A. Storch eds. 101–127. Köln: Rüdiger Köppe.
9. ^ Schadeberg, Thilo. 1994. Comparative Kadu Wordlists. Afrikanistische Arbeitspapiere 40:11–48. University of Cologne.
10. ^ Chan, Eugene (2019). "The Nilo-Saharan Language Phylum". Numeral Systems of the World's Languages.

* Dafalla, Rihab Yahia. 2000. A Phonological Comparison of the Katcha Kadugli Language Groups in the Nuba Mountains. M.A. Dissertation, University of Khartoum.
* Schadeberg, Thilo C. 1981\. "The Classification of the Kadugli Language Group". Nilo-Saharan, ed. by T. C. Schadeberg and M. Lionel Bender, pp. 291–305. Dordrecht: Foris Publications.

* v
* t
* e

Nilo-Saharan branches

Ethiopia-Sudan
border region|

* Berta
* Bʼaga
* Koman
* Gule ?
* Kuliak
* Kunama
* Ongota ?
* Shabo ?

Sahel region|

* Furan
* Kadu
* Maban
* Saharan
* Songhay

Central Sudanic|

* Birri ?
* Bongo–Bagirmi
* Kresh ?
* Lendu
* Mangbetu
* Mangbutu–Lese
* Moru–Madi
* Sinyar ?

Eastern Sudanic|

* Daju
* Eastern Jebel
* Nara
* Nilotic
* Surmic

"Astaboran"|

* Nubian
* Nyimang
* Tama
* Temein

* v
* t
* e

Kordofanian languages (geographic)

Talodi–Heiban|

| Heiban|

* Ebang
* Ko
* Kwalib
* Laro
* Logol
* Moro
* Shirumba
* Tiro
* Utoro
* Warnang

|

Talodi|

* Acheron
* Dagik
* Jomang
* Lumun
* Nding
* Ngile
* Tocho
* Torona

Katla-Rashad|

| Katla|

* Domorik
* Kaalak

|

Rashad|

* Tagoi
* Tegali

Kadu|

| Western|

* Kanga
* Keiga
* Tulishi

|

Eastern|

* Krongo
* Tumtum

Other|

* Kadugli

Lafofa|

* Amira
* Tegem

* v
* t
* e

Primary language families

Africa|

* Afroasiatic
* Austronesian
* Khoe–Kwadi
* Kx'a
* Niger–Congo
* Nilo-Saharan(?)
* Tuu
* Dogon?
* Ijoid?
* Kadu?
* Katla?
* Kru?
* Lafofa?
* Mande?
* Rashad?
* Songhay?
* Talodi–Heiban?
* Ubangian?

Isolates|

* Bangime
* Gule
* Hadza
* Jalaa
* Sandawe
* Laal?
* Mimi of Decorse?
* Ongota?
* Shabo?

Eurasia
(Europe
and Asia)|

* Afroasiatic
* Ainu
* Austroasiatic
* Austronesian
* Chukotko-Kamchatkan
* Dravidian
* Eskaleut
* Great Andamanese
* Hmong–Mien
* Hurro-Urartian
* Indo-European
* Japonic
* Kartvelian
* Koreanic
* Kra–Dai
* Mongolic
* Nivkh
* Northeast Caucasian
* Northwest Caucasian
* Ongan
* Sino-Tibetan
* Tungusic
* Turkic
* Tyrsenian
* Uralic
* Yeniseian
* Yukaghir
* Arunachal?
* Digaro?
* Kho-Bwa?
* Mijiic?
* Miju?
* Siangic?

Isolates|

* Basque
* Burushaski
* Elamite
* Hattic
* Kusunda
* Nihali
* Rutulian
* Sumerian
* Vedda
* Bugun?
* Eteocretan?
* Eteocypriot?
* Hruso?
* Kenaboi?
* Minoan?
* Puroik?
* Shompen?
* Tambora?

New Guinea
and the Pacific|

* Arai–Samaia
* Austronesian
* Berau Gulf
* Binanderean–Goilalan
* Border
* Bulaka River
* Central Solomons
* Chimbu–Wahgi
* Demta–Sentani
* Doso–Turumsa
* East Geelvink Bay
* East New Britain
* East Strickland
* Eleman
* Engan
* Fas
* Foja Range
* Gogodala–Suki
* Hatam–Mansim
* Kaure–Kosare
* Kiwaian
* Kutubuan
* Lakes Plain
* Lower Mamberamo
* Lower Sepik
* Madang
* Mairasi
* Mantion–Meax
* North Bougainville
* North Halmahera
* Pauwasi
* Ramu
* Senagi
* Senu River
* Sepik
* Skou
* South Bougainville
* Teberan–Pawaian
* Torricelli
* Trans-Fly
* Trans–New Guinea
* Turama–Kikorian
* Upper Yuat
* West Bird's Head
* Yam
* Yawan
* Yuat
* Northwest Papuan?
* Papuan Gulf?
* West Papuan?

Isolates|

* Abinomn
* Abun
* Burmeso
* Kol
* Kuot
* Maybrat
* Mpur
* Porome
* Anêm?
* Ata?
* Sulka?
* Taiap?
* Tambora?
* Yele?

Australia|

* Bunuban
* Eastern Daly
* Eastern Tasmanian
* Garawan
* Gunwinyguan
* Iwaidjan
* Jarrakan
* Maningrida
* Mirndi
* Northeastern Tasmanian
* Northern Tasmanian
* Nyulnyulan
* Pama–Nyungan
* Southern Daly
* Tangkic
* Wagaydyic (Northern Daly?)
* Western Daly
* Western Tasmanian
* Worrorran
* Arnhem/Macro-Gunwinyguan?
* Darwin Region?
* Marrku–Wurrugu?
* Yangmanic (incl. Wagiman)?

Isolates|

* Giimbiyu
* Malak-Malak (Northern Daly?)
* Tiwi
* Gaagudju?
* Kungarakany?

North
America|

* Algic
* Caddoan
* Chimakuan
* Chinookan
* Chumashan
* Comecrudan
* Coosan
* Eskaleut
* Iroquoian
* Kalapuyan
* Maiduan
* Muskogean
* Na-Dene
* Palaihnihan
* Plateau Penutian
* Pomoan
* Salishan
* Shastan
* Siouan
* Tanoan
* Tsimshianic
* Utian
* Uto-Aztecan
* Wakashan
* Wintuan
* Yuki–Wappo
* Yuman–Cochimí

Isolates|

* Alsea
* Atakapa
* Cayuse
* Chimariko
* Chitimacha
* Coahuilteco
* Cotoname
* Esselen
* Haida
* Karuk
* Keres?
* Kutenai
* Natchez
* Salinan
* Seri
* Siuslaw
* Takelma
* Timucua
* Tonkawa
* Tunica
* Waikuri
* Washo
* Yana
* Yokuts?
* Yuchi
* Zuni

Mesoamerica|

* Arawakan
* Chibchan
* Jicaquean
* Lencan
* Mayan
* Misumalpan
* Mixe–Zoque
* Oto-Manguean
* Tequistlatecan
* Totonacan
* Uto-Aztecan
* Xincan

Isolates|

* Cuitlatec
* Huave
* Tarascan/Purépecha

South
America|

* Alacalufan
* Andoque–Urequena
* Araucanian
* Arawakan
* Arawan
* Aymaran
* Barbacoan
* Boran
* Bororoan
* Cahuapanan
* Cañari–Puruhá
* Cariban
* Chapacuran
* Charruan
* Chibchan
* Chicham
* Choco
* Chonan
* Guaicuruan
* Guajiboan
* Harákmbut–Katukinan
* Hibito–Cholón
* Huarpean
* Jirajaran
* Kakwa-Nukak
* Kariri
* Lule–Vilela
* Macro-Jê
* Mascoian
* Matacoan
* Nadahup
* Nambikwaran
* Otomákoan
* Pano-Tacanan
* Peba–Yaguan
* Piaroa–Saliban
* Quechuan
* Ticuna–Yuri
* Timotean
* Tiniguan
* Tucanoan
* Tupian
* Uru–Chipaya
* Witotoan
* Xukuruan
* Yanomaman
* Zamucoan
* Zaparoan
* Catacaoan?

Isolates|

* Aikanã
* Arutani
* Betoi
* Camsá
* Candoshi-Shapra
* Canichana
* Cayubaba
* Chimane
* Chiquitano
* Chono
* Cofán
* Culle
* Esmeralda
* Guachí
* Guamo
* Guató
* Hodï/Joti
* Iatê
* Irantxe
* Itonama
* Kanoê
* Kunza
* Kwaza
* Leco
* Maku/Jukude
* Matanawi
* Mochica
* Movima
* Munichi
* Mura-Pirahã
* Omurano
* Otí
* Páez
* Payaguá
* Puinave
* Purian
* Puquina
* Sape
* Sechura
* Tallán
* Taruma
* Taushiro
* Tequiraca
* Trumai
* Urarina
* Waorani/Huaorani
* Warao
* Yaruro
* Yahgan
* Yuracaré
* Yurumangui
* Katembri?
* Sanavirón?

Sign
languages|

* Arab
* Australian Aboriginal
* BANZSL
* Chinese
* Francosign
* Germanosign
* Hand Talk
* Indo-Pakistani
* Japanese
* Original Thai
* Swedish
* Paraguay–Uruguay?
* Providencia–Cayman?
* Sudanese?
* Tanzanian?

Isolates|

* See list of sign languages
* Village sign languages

See also|

* Constructed languages
* Creoles
* Language isolates
* Mixed languages
* Pidgins
* Spurious languages
* Unclassified languages
* Whistled languages

* Families with question marks (?) are disputed or controversial.
* Families in italics have no living members.
* Families with more than 30 languages are in bold.

Authority control databases |

* IdRef

|

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