# Bariba language

Bariba, also known as Baatonum, is the language of the Bariba people and was the language of the state of Borgu. The native speakers are called Baatombu (singular Baatonu), Barba, Baruba, Berba and a number of various other names and spellings.
It is primarily spoken in Benin, but also across the border in adjacent Kwara State and Niger State, a percentage of speakers are also found in Saki West local government area of Oyo State Nigeria, and some Bariba are in Togo, Burkina Faso and Niger. Welmers (1952) reported the Bariba language as spoken in the cities of Nikki, Parakou, Kandi, and Natitingou.

## Names

The language can be known by different names:
* the Bariba people call their language Baatɔnum;
* the Yoruba people call the language Baruba;
* the Hausa people refer to the language as Borganci (also spelled Borganchi) after Borgu where it is spoken;
* the names in the Busa language and the Boko language are Borgu and Borgunya.
Other names include Barba or Berba.
One person who speaks Bariba is called Baatɔnu and two or more persons or speakers are called Baatɔmbu and the language of the Baatɔmbu/Borgawa people is called Baatɔnum.

## Geographic distribution

In Nigeria, Bariba is spoken mainly in Borgu LGA of Niger State, Saki West LGA and in Baruten LGA of Kwara state. A number of Bariba have migrated to other parts of Nigeria, including Abuja. The Bariba people are referred to as Borgawa in Hausa.
In Benin, Bariba is spoken mainly in Alibori, Donga, Atakora and Borgou departments. A number of Bariba have migrated to other parts of Benin, including Cotonou.
In Togo, Bariba is spoken in the Centrale Region.
In Burkina Faso, Bariba is spoken in Kompienga Province.
There are also some Bariba in Niger in Tillabéri Region and Dosso Region.

## Classification

Bariba is usually classed as an independent member of the Savanna languages, but some consider it and a number of other languages, such as Miyobe, as a Gur language. However, other than Bariba, there are other unclassified Gur languages, including Miyobe, Koromfe, Viemo, and Natyoro.

## Alphabet

There are 23 letters of Batonou alphabet.

## Phonology
### Consonants

| | | Labial | Alveolar | Palatal | Velar | Labio- velar | Glottal |
| Nasal | Nasal | m | n | | | | |
| Plosive | voiceless | p | t | | k | k͡p | |
| Plosive | voiced | b | d | | ɡ | ɡ͡b | |
| Fricative | voiceless | f | s | | | | h |
| Fricative | voiced | | z | | | | |
| Rhotic | Rhotic | | ɾ | | | | |
| Lateral | Lateral | | l | | | | |
| Approximant | Approximant | | | j | | w | |
* /ɾ/ may be heard as a lateralized [ɺ] when preceding front vowels.
* /s, z/ may be heard as [ʃ, ʒ] when preceding front vowels.

### Vowels

| | Front | Central | Back |
| Close | i ĩ | | u ũ |
| Close-mid | e | | o |
| Open-mid | ɛ ɛ̃ | | ɔ ɔ̃ |
| Open | | a ã | |

### Tone

Bariba is a tonal language. Tonal patterns in Bariba have been claimed to present a challenge to the Two-Feature Model of tonal phonology.

## Nouns

Bariba has 7 noun classes:
* 1. y-class
* 2. t-class
* 3. g-class
* 4. w-class
* 5. m-class
* 6. s-class
* 7. n-class
The data was collected by William E. Welmers in August and September 1949 at Nikki, Benin.

### y-class

The y-class is the largest noun class. y-class singular nouns usually in -a.
| banana | àgɛ̀dɛ̀ (no pl.) |
| palm tree | bãã |
| large calabash | bàka |
| stick | bɔ̀ra |
| mosquito | bũ̀ɛ̃̀yã |
| character | dàà (no pl.) |
| tree, wood | dã̀ã̀ (pl.?) |
| fallen branch | dã̀kàmā |
| branch on a tree | dã̀kàsā |
| root of a tree | dã̀kpinā |
| habit | dēn̄dī (pl.?) |
| mirror | digí (pl.?) |
| guinea corn | dobi (pl.?) |
| gun | dɔ̃̀bɔ̀ra |
| well | dɔ̀kɔ̀ (pl.?) |
| male | dua |
| horse | duma |
| bag | fɔ̀rɔ̀tɔ̀, -bá |
| name of a month | gã̀ã̀ní (no pl.) |
| village gate | gàm̀bò, -bà |
| wall | gana |
| word, matter | gari (pl.?) |
| termite | gɛ́ma |
| driver ant | gɛ̃́ya |
| gazelle | gina |
| money | gobi (pl.?) |
| guinea fowl | gònā |
| death | gɔɔ (no pl.) |
| rain, storm | gúra |
| chicken | guwā, guwē |
| axe | gbãã |
| calabash | gbàká |
| lion | gbèsùnɔ̄, gbèsìnansu |
| grain of millet | gbɛyā |
| spirit | hùindè (pl.?) |
| papaya | kàràbósì, -bà |
| motor | kɛ̀kɛ, -bà |
| animal horn | kɔbā |
| wildcat | konā |
| bamboo stalk | kɔ̃sā |
| antelope | kpása |
| stew | kpee (no pl.) |
| star; hippopotamus | kpera |
| corn cake | másà, -bà |
| rice sprout | mɔ́ra |
| cow | naā |
| house spider | nára |
| scorpion | nía |
| female | nia |
| mouth | nɔɔ (pl.?) |
| hand | nɔbū, nɔma |
| peanut | sãã |
| offering | sàrâ |
| bridge | sàsarā |
| comb | séḿbù, -ba |
| hair | serā |
| covering | sèsèbìa |
| pestle | sobiā |
| edible seeds | sonki (pl.?) |
| road, path | súa |
| fish | sũ̀ã |
| bean | suìā |
| bracelet | sumā |
| judgment | tààrɛ (pl.?) |
| tobacco | tába |
| ant | tànā |
| mud brick | tèǹdɔ́ka |
| self | tīī |
| bee | tĩya |
| inheritance | túbí (pl.?) |
| snake | waā |
| rope | wɛ̃ya |
| straw | wĩ́ya, wĩĩ |
| law | wodà |
| small gray monkey | wonkéra |
| gold | wúra (no pl.) |
| face | wurusuā, -ɛ̄ |
| animal, meat | yaa |
| needle | yabúra |
| cloth, robe | yasa |
| spear | yàsa/yɛ̀sa |
| pepper | yɛ̃̀ɛ̃̀kú (no pl.) |
| evil spirit | zínì |

### t-class

All forms end in -ru for t-class nouns.
| cutlass | àdaru |
| dysentery | bàǹdúbàǹdū |
| sickness | baràrū |
| tension drum | bàraru |
| doorway | bàràrū |
| shoe | bàràrū (only pl.) |
| cloth | bekùrū |
| basket | bíréru |
| back | biru |
| salt | bɔ̀rū |
| river | daaru |
| loincloth | dɛmbɛru |
| house | dìrū |
| tooth | dondu |
| stalk | gãnã̀rū |
| arm | gã̀sèrū |
| rat | gɔnɔru |
| large wild rat | gɔ̀nɔ̀ǹguru |
| egg | goòsĩã̀rū |
| mountain | guru |
| rain cloud | gúrúwiru |
| (musical) horn | guùrū |
| crow | gbãgbã̀rū |
| field, farm | gbèrū |
| pot | gbɛ̃́ru |
| gourd | kaaru |
| bush cow | kɛ̀tɛ̀gbèèkìrū |
| male (of some animals) | kìnèrū |
| bread | kìràrū |
| love | kĩ́ru |
| stool | kìtàrū |
| box | kpàkoruru |
| stone | kpèrū |
| bed | kpenyeru |
| bone | kukuru |
| a swelling | mɔsìrū |
| odor | nubùrū |
| rabbit | satàbūr̄ū |
| pitfall | sɛ̃̀rū |
| brass, copper | sigàǹdū |
| grave | sìkìrū |
| tail | siru |
| stinkbug | sísíkènèrū |
| pounded yam | sɔ̀kùrū |
| work | sɔ̀mbùrū |
| clay for pots | sɔǹdū |
| mortar | soru |
| porridge | sòrū |
| toad | suréru |
| leg | taaru |
| garden hill | takàrū |
| bow | tendu |
| panther | túǹdū |
| nose | wɛ̃ru |
| head | wiru |
| neck | wĩ́yìrū |
| knife | wobùrū |
| pot | wókeru |
| night, darkness | wɔ̃̀kùrū |
| baboon | wompɔkɔru |
| red monkey | wónsũ̀ã̄rū |
| coldness | wóòrū |
| sheep | yã̀ã̀rū |
| market | yàburu |
| sacrifice | yãkùrū |
| place | yanyeeru |
| open space | yeeru |
| broom | yiìrū |
| name | yísìrū |
| frog | yɔ̃ɔ̃ru |

### g-class

Forms usually end in back vowels for g-class nouns.
| chameleon | àgāmānàkí, -bà |
| onion | àlùmásà, -nu |
| goat | boo, bonu |
| water pot | bòo, -nu |
| dog | bɔ̃ɔ̃, bɔ̃nu |
| owl | booro, -su |
| lizard | bɔ̀su, -nu |
| infestation of lice | gã́ã́ní (pl.?) |
| louse | gã́ã́núkú, -nù |
| airplane | gogùnɔ̀, -su |
| robe | gɔ̃kɔ, -su |
| drum | gɔ̃̀ɔ̃̀, gã̀ã̀su |
| vehicle | gòo, -su |
| canoe | gòoninkū, -nu |
| bird | gùnɔ̄, -su |
| cricket | gbɔɔ̄, -nu |
| sandfly | kòtókámbu, -munu |
| spoon | kààtó, -nù |
| cat | kòkónyambu, -munu |
| doorway | kɔ́ǹdɔ, -su |
| mat | kɔ̃ɔ̄, -su |
| pig | kúrúsɔ̄, -su |
| partridge | kusu, -nu |
| leopard, cat | músúkú, -nù |
| antelope | nemū, neǹnu |
| eye | nɔnu, nɔni |
| bush hog | sàkɔ̄, -nu |
| trap | sɛ́kpɛ̀ǹkú, -nù |
| arrow | sɛ̃ũ̄, sɛ̃ɛ̃̀nu |
| pot | sirū, -su |
| fly | sɔnu, -su |
| ear | so / soa, -su |
| elephant | sùùnū, -su |
| ring | tààbu, -nu |
| small black ant | tàm̀bu, -munu |
| army ant | tàsonu, -su |
| hoe | tebo, -nu |
| shadow | tíro, -nu |
| parrot | titimokò, -nu |
| year | wɔ̃̄ɔ̃̄n, wɔ̃̄su |
| monkey | womu, wonnu |
| wind | woo, -nu |
| hole | wɔrū, -su |
| town | wuu, -su |
| rabbit | wùkū, -nu |
| leaf | wurū, -su |
| tongue | yara, -nu |
| vulture | yèbèrèkú, -nù |
| household | yɛnu, -su |
| hartebeest | yiiku, -nu |

### w-class

| father | bàa |
| Bariba person or language | bàtɔ̀nù |
| older brother, friend | bɛɛrɛ̄ |
| child | bìī |
| ulcer | bòō |
| hunter | bɔso |
| fire | dɔ̃̀ɔ̃̀ |
| mother’s brother | dùàni |
| rich man | gobigi |
| person | goo |
| pregnant woman | guràgi |
| God | gúsūnɔ̄ |
| guard | kɔ̃so |
| mother | merō |
| older brother | mɔɔ̄ |
| paramount chief | sènàboko |
| sister | sesu |
| sun, day | sɔ̃ɔ̃ |
| chief | sùnɔ̄, sìnambu |
| moon, month | surú |
| person | tɔ̀nū, tɔ̀m̀bu |
| younger brother | wɔ́nɔ̄ |
| guardian spirit | yãrō |
| slave | yòō |
| enemy | yíbɛ̀rɛ̀ |

### m-class

m-class nouns often end in -m.
| language | bàrūm̄ |
| milk | bom |
| strength | dam |
| oil | gum |
| raised garden row | kɔ̀rɔ̄m̄ |
| water | nim |
| liquor | tam |
| ground, dirt | tem |
| medicine | tìm̄ |
| honey | tim |
| soap | werem |
| air | wom |
| space, room | yam |
| sand | yànīm̄ |
| blood | yem |

### s-class

The s-class is a small noun class. Most forms are collectives and end in -su.
| one (yam) | tan (teèsū) |
| foot | naàsu |
| silver | sigeèsū |
| iron | sísú |
| cotton | wɛ̃su |
| grass, the bush | yàkàsu |

### n-class

The n-class is a small noun class. Most forms are collectives and end in -nu.
| one | teènū |
| greens | àfonu |
| thing | gáánu |
| necklace | goònū |
| corn | gbèrɛnu |
| cucumber | gbɛ̀zɛnu |
| okra | yàbonu |

## Verbs
### Aspects

There are 7 primary verb aspects in Bariba:
* consecutive
* habitual
* continuative
* frequentative
* imperative
* past
* past negative
There are 5 verb classes, which are grouped according to the formation of the past aspect.

### List of verbs

Consecutive verb forms are given below. S denotes stative forms.
| get sick | bārā |
| split | bɛ̄rā |
| push | bɔ̄rīā |
| dawn, whiten | būrūrā, S burīrī |
| taste | dēn̄dā |
| pass by | dōōnā |
| sell | dɔ̄ɔ̄rā |
| sleep | dūīā, S dò |
| come in | dūmā |
| pull | gāwā |
| chase | gīrā |
| beseech | kānā |
| break (rope) | kārā |
| shatter | kɔ̄ɔ̄rā |
| loosen | kūsīā |
| lie down | kpūnā, S kpī̃ |
| receive | mūā |
| burn | mūārā |
| fight | sān̄nā |
| become clean | sā̃rā |
| name, call | sīā |
| pick up | sūā |
| wash | tīā |
| become black | tī̃ī̃rā, S tĩĩrī |
| arrive | tūnūmā |
| fall | wɔ̄rūmā |
| fill | yībīā |
| meet | yīn̄nā |
| stop | yɔ̃̄rā |
| leave | dērī |
| eat | dī (Cont. di) |
| forget | dūārī |
| hurt by burning | mɛ̄nī |
| help | sōmī |
| increase | sōsī |
| tether | sɔ̄rī |
| take a long time | tɛ̄ |
| hand over | wɛ̃̄ |
| blow (air) | wūrī |
| throw away | yārī |
| lay down | yī |
| become hard | bɔbiā, S bɔ̄(bū) |
| become fat | bɔriā, S bɔ̄rū |
| become much | dabiā, S dabī |
| catch up with | deèmā |
| become long | dẽɛ̃̀nyā, S dɛ̄ū̄ |
| become deep | dukiā, S dúku |
| learn | giā |
| turn over | gɔsìā |
| turn around | gɔsìrā |
| gather | gurā |
| become high, tall | guriā, S gúru |
| open | kɛnīā |
| get down | sarā |
| become difficult | sɛ̃sīā, S sɛ̃̄ |
| sit down | sinā, S sɔ̃̀ |
| become bitter | sosiā, S sō(sū) |
| become red | sũɛ̃rā, S sũɛ̃rī |
| become tough | taàyā, S tāū |
| become wide | yasiā, S yasū |
| become cold, damp | yemiā, S yēm̄ |
| fire (a gun) | suē |
| touch | babā |
| go around | besirā |
| break in two | buā |
| cut in two | burā |
| do become sweet | dorā, S |
| catch | gabā |
| become dry | gberā |
| tear | gĩā̃ |
| scratch | gɔ̃rā |
| want | kĩã̄, S kĩ́ |
| cut up | murā |
| jump, drop | surā |
| draw up | takā |
| bring | tamā |
| become good | wɛ̃rā, S wã |
| believe | wurā |
| come back | wúràmā |
| pierce | yabā |
| remember | yayā |
| play | duē |
| become clean | dɛ́ɛ́rā |
| become big | kpɛ̃́yā, S kpã́ |
| become hot | sṹyā, S sum̄ |
| become clear | déérē |
| look for | kásū |
| show | sɔ̃́nɔ̃́sĩ̄ |
| warm oneself | wɔ̃́sū |
| cover | wukírī |
| peel | kɛ̄ɛ̄rī |
| chew, eat | tēm̄ |
| plant | dūūrē |
| separate | gɔsi |
| dig | gbe |
| wait | ma, maru |
| study | mɛɛri |
| fall (of rain) | nɛ |
| leave, walk | sĩ |
| call | soku |
| be enough, arrive | turi |
| see | wa |
| answer | wisi |
| measure | yĩre |
| hear | nɔ̂ |
| fix up | sɔmɛ̀, sɔm̀ |
| dye black | wɔ̃kù |
| dance | yâ |
| enter, hurt | dū |
| flow | kōkū |
| stand up | sē, S yɔ̃̀ |
| climb | yɔ̄ |
| shine | baàlì |
| count | garì |
| rot | kɔ̃sì |
| give birth to | mâ, marù |
| swell | mɔsì |
| rejoice | yɛ̃ɛ̃rì |
| buy | dūē |
| give | kɛ̃̄ |
| build | bānī |
| steal | gbɛ̄nī |
| prick | sɔ̄kū |
| tell | sɔ̃ |
| put on the head | sɔbe, sɔ |
| fry | sɔmɛ, sɔm |
| ? | su |
| fly | yɔ̃ |
| tie up | bɔ̄kē |
| sew | yīnɛ̄ |
| speak, say | gere |
| close | kɛnɛ̀ |
| hide | kukè |
| frighten | narè |
| cook | yikè |
| write | yɔ̃rì |
| do, make | kō, S mɔ̀ |
| kill | gô |
| throw down | kɔ̃̂ |
| finish | kpê |
| hit | sô |

## Adjectives

Invariable adjectives:
| male | dɔ, dua |
| raw | goma |
| high | gbãrã |
| white | kaà |
| a little bit | pikó |
| narrow | tereré |
| difficult | sɛ̃sɔ |
Adjectives with a class of their own, which remains the same after all nouns; singular and plural forms are like those of nouns:
t-class adjectives:
| some, a few (pl. only) | binu |
| much, many | dabīrū |
| dead | gorū |
| male (of certain animals) | kìnèrū |
| old | tɔ̀kɔ̄rū |
| short, small (also g-class) | kpirìrū |
g-class adjectives:
| small | yã̀kàbū |
| small | píbu |
| short, small (also t-class) | kpirìbū |
Attributive adjectives with alternants for each noun class:
| big | baka- |
| fresh | bèku- |
| hard | bɔɔ̀bɔā- |
| fat | bɔrùbɔrū- |
| good | bùra- |
| strong | dangi- |
| long | dɛǹdɛn̄- |
| good | ge- |
| dry | gbebu- |
| new | kpaà- |
| white | kpikī- |
| female | ni- |
| thick | sìnùǹgi- |
| bitter | soòsuā- |
| red | sũ̀ã̄- |
| hot | súm- |
| tough | taàtaā- |
| black | wɔ̃kū- |
| cold | yĩ́re- |

## Numerals

| 1 | tiā |
| 2 | yìru |
| 3 | yìta |
| 4 | ǹnɛ |
| 5 | nɔ̄ɔ̄bù |
| 6 | nɔ̄ɔ̄bâ tiā |
| 7 | nɔ̄ɔ̄bá yìru |
| 8 | nɔ̄ɔ̄bá yìta |
| 9 | nɔ̄ɔ̄bá ǹnɛ |
| 10 | ɔkuru |
| 20 | yɛndu |
| 30 | tɛ̀nā |