# Biu–Mandara languages

The Biu–Mandara or Central Chadic languages of the Afro-Asiatic family are spoken in Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon.
A reconstruction of Proto-Central Chadic has been proposed by Gravina (2014).

## Languages
### Gravina (2014)

Gravina (2014) classifies Central Chadic as follows, as part of a reconstruction of the proto-language. Letters and numbers in parentheses correspond to branches in previous classifications. The greatest changes are breaking up and reassigning the languages of the old Mafa branch (A.5) and Mandage (Kotoko) branch (B.1).
* Central Chadic
** South
*** South
**** Bata (A.8)
***** Bata Proper: Bacama, Bata, Fali, Gude, Gudu, Holma (†), Jimi, Ngwaba (from A.1 Tera), Nzanyi, Sharwa
***** Tsuvan: Tsuvan, Zizilivakan
**** Daba (A.7)
***** Daba Proper: Daba, Mazagway Hidi
***** Mina: Mina, Mbudum
***** Buwal: Buwal, Gavar
**** Mafa (= South A.5 Mafa (d)): Mafa, Mefele, Cuvok
**** Tera (A.1):
***** East Tera: Boga, Ga'anda, Hwana
***** (West Tera): Jara, Tera
**** Sukur (A.6)
** Hurza
*** Hurza (from A.5 Mafa): Vame, Mbuko
** North
*** Margi–Mandara–Mofu
**** Margi (A.2)
***** Bura: Bura, Cibak, Putai, Nggwahyi
***** Margi Proper: Kilba, Margi South, Margi
**** Mandara (A.4):
***** Wandala: Mandara (Malgwa), Glavda
***** Dghwede: Cineni, Dghwede, Guduf, Gava, Gvoko
***** Podoko: Podoko, Matal (from A.5 Mafa)
**** Mofu (part of South A.5 Mafa)
***** Tokombere: Ouldeme, Mada, Muyang, Molokwo
***** Meri: Zulgo, Gemzek, Merey, Dugwor
***** Mofu Proper: Mofu North, Mofu-Gudur
*** Maroua
**** Maroua (part of South A.5 Mafa (c)): Giziga North, Giziga South, Mbazla
*** Lamang
**** Lamang (West A.4 Wandala): Lamang, Hdi, Mabas
*** Higi
**** Higi (A.3): Bana, Hya, Psikyɛ, Kamwe, Kirya-Konzel
*** Musgum – North Kotoko
**** Kotoko Island: Buduma
**** Kotoko North: Mpade, Afaɗə, Malgbe, Maltam
**** Musgum (B.2): Musgum, Mbara, Muskum (†)
*** Kotoko Centre
**** Kotoko Centre: Lagwan, Mser
*** Kotoko South
**** Kotoko South: Zina, Mazera
*** Gidar
Jilbe was not classified, as no sources were available.

### Blench (2006)

The branches of Biu–Mandara traditionally go by either names or letters and numbers in an outline format. Blench (2006) organizes them as follows:
* Biu–Mandara
** Tera (A.1): Tera, Pidlimdi (Hinna), Jara, Ga'anda, Gabin, Boga, Ngwaba, Hwana
** Bura–Higi
*** Bura (A.2): Bura-Pabir (Bura), Cibak (Kyibaku), Nggwahyi, Huba (Kilba), Putai (Marghi West), Marghi Central (Margi, Margi Babal), Marghi South
*** ? Kofa
*** Higi (A.3): Kamwə (Psikyɛ, Higi), Bana, Hya, ? Kirya-Konzəl
** Wandala–Mafa
*** Wandala (Mandara) (A.4)
**** East: Wandala (Mura, Mandara, Malgwa), Glavda (Gəlvaxdaxa)
**** Parəkwa (Podoko)
**** West: Gəvoko, Guduf-Gava (Cineni), Dghweɗe, Hdi (Xədi, Hedi, Tur), Lamang, Woga, Vemgo, Mabas
**** Sukur (Sakwun, A.6)
*** Mafa (A.5)
**** Northeast Mafa: Vame (Pəlasla), Mbuko, Gaduwa
**** Matal (Muktele)
**** South Mafa
***** (a) Wuzlam (Ouldémé), Muyang, Maɗa, Məlokwo
***** (b) Zəlgwa-Minew, Gemzek, Ɗugwor, Mikere, Merey
***** (c) North Giziga, South Giziga, North Mofu, Mofu-Gudur (South Mofu), Baldemu (Mbazlam)
***** (d) Cuvok, Mafa, Mefele, Shügule
** Daba (A.7)
*** North Daba: Buwal (Gadala), Gavar (Kortchi)
*** South Daba: Mina (Besleri, Hina), Daba (Mazagway), Mbədam
** Bata (Gbwata) (A.8): Bacama, Bata (Gbwata), Sharwa, Tsuvan, Gude, Fali of Mubi, Zizilivakan (Ulan Mazhilvən, Fali of Jilbu), Jimi (Jimjimən), Gudu, Holma (†), Nzanyi
** Mandage (Kotoko) (B.1)
*** South Mandage: Msər (Kousseri), Lagwan (Logone)
*** ? Jilbe
*** North Mandage: Afaɗə, Maslam, Malgbe (Gulfey), Mpadə
** Buduma (Yedina)
** East–Central
*** Gidar (Kaɗa)
*** Munjuk (B.2): Mbara, Muskum (Muzuk) (†), Mpus, Beege (Jafga), Vulum (Mulwi)
*** Mida'a (< B.1): Jina, Majəra

### Newman (1977)

Central Chadic classification per Newman (1977):

## Names and locations (Nigeria)

Below is a list of language names, populations, and locations (in Nigeria only) from Blench (2019).
Distributions of Biu–Mandara branches in Nigeria :
| Branch | Code | Primary locations |

### South

| Language | Branch | Cluster | Dialects | Alternate spellings | Own name for language | Endonym(s) | Other names (location-based) | Other names for language | Exonym(s) | Speakers | Location(s) | Notes |
| Daba | Daba | | | | Daba | | | | | A single village, less than 1,000. Mostly in Cameroun | Adamawa State, Mubi LGA. Between Mubi and Bahuli | |
| Mafa | Mafa | | Mafa (Mofa) in Nigeria. Cameroon dialects divided into West, Central and Eastern. | Mofa | | | | | Matakam (not recommended) | 2,000 (1963), 136,000 in Cameroon (1982 SIL) | Borno State, Gwoza LGA; mainly in Cameroon | |
| Sakun | Sukur | | | | Sakun, Gemasakun | Gә̀mà Sákún | Sugur | Adikummu Sukur | | 5,000 (1952); 10,000 (1973 SIL). 7 villages | Adamawa State, Madgali LGA | |
| Ga’anda cluster | Tera | Ga’anda | | | Tlәka’andata pl. Ka’andәca | Kaɓәn | | Mokar [name of the place where the rolling pot stopped] | | 7,600 (1952); 10,000 (1973 SIL);␣4. Six villages | Adamawa State, Gombi LGA | |
| Kaɓәn | Tera | Ga’anda | | Gabin | Tlәkaɓәnɗa pl. Kaɓәnca | | | | | 12 villages | | |
| Fәrtata | Tera | Ga’anda | | | Tlәfәrtata pl. Fәrtaca | | | | | 5 villages | | |
| Boga | Tera | | | Boka | | | | | | 5 villages | Adamawa State, Gombi LGA | |
| Hwana | Tera | | | Hona, Hwona | | | | | | 6,604 (1952 W&B); 20,000 (1973 SIL), estimate more than 20,000 (Blench 1987) | Adamawa State, Gombi LGA, Guyuk and 30 other villages | |
| Jara | Tera | | | Jera | | | | | | 4,000 (SIL) | Borno State, Biu LGA; Bauchi State, Ako LGA | Also refers to the languages of the Jarawan Bantu group including: the Jarawa cluster, Mbárù, Gùra, Rúhû, Gubi, Dulbu, Láb􀬎̀r, Kulung, and Gwa |
| Tera cluster | Tera | Tera | | | | | | | | 46,000 (SIL); 50,000 (Newman 1970) | Borno State, Biu LGA; Gombe State, Gombi LGA, Kwami district, Ako LGA, Yamaltu and Ako districts, Dukku LGA, Funakaye district | |
| Nyimatli | Tera | Tera | Wuyo-Ɓalɓiya-Waɗe; Deba-Zambuk-Hina-Kalshingi-Kwadon [orthography based on this cluster] | Yamaltu, Nimalto, Nyemathi | | | | | | | Gombe State, Ako, Gombe, Kwami, Funakai, Yamaltu LGAs; Borno State, Ɓayo LGA | |
| Pidlimdi | Tera | Tera | | | | | | Hinna, Hina, Ghәna | | | Borno State, Biu LGA | |
| Bura Kokura | Tera | Tera | | | | | | | | | Borno State, Biu LGA | |
| Boga | Tera, Eastern | | | Boka | | | | | | | Adamawa State, Gombi LGA | |
| Bata cluster | Bata | Bata | | | | | | | | | | |
| Bwatye | Bata | Bata | Mulyen (Mwulyin), Dong, Opalo, Wa-Duku | Gboare, Bwatiye | Kwaa–Ɓwaare | Ɓwaare | | | Bachama | 11,250 (1952) 20,000 (1963) | Adamawa State, Numan and Guyuk LGAs, Kaduna State, north east of Kaduna town. Bacama fishermen migrate long distances down the Benue River, with camps as far as the Benue/Niger confluence. | |
| Bata | Bata | Bata | Koboci, Kobotschi (Kobocĩ, Wadi, Zumu (Jimo), Malabu, Bata of Ribaw, Bata of Demsa, Bata of Garoua, Jirai | Batta, Gbwata | | | | | | 26,400 (1952), est. 2,000 in Cameroon; 39,000 total (1971 Welmers) | Adamawa State, Numan, Song, Fufore and Mubi LGAs; also in Cameroon | |
| Fali cluster | Bata | Fali | | | | | Fali of Mubi, Fali of Muchella | | Vimtim, Yimtim | 4 principal villages. Estimate of more than 20,000 (1990) | Adamawa State, Mubi LGA | |
| Vin | Bata | Fali | | | Uroovin | Uvin | Vimtim | | | | Vimtim town, north of Mubi | |
| Huli | Bata | Fali | | Bahuli | Urahuli | Huli, Hul | | | | | Bahuli town, northeast of Mubi | |
| Madzarin | Bata | Fali | | | Ura Madzarin | Madzarin | Muchella | | | | Muchella town, northeast of Mubi | |
| Ɓween | Bata | Fali | | | Uramɓween | Cumɓween | Bagira | | | | Bagira town, northeast of Mubi | |
| Gudu | Bata | | | Gutu, Gudo | | | | | | 1,200 (LA 1971) | Adamawa State, Song LGA, 120 km. west of Song. Approximately 5 villages. | |
| Guɗe | Bata | | | Gude, Goudé | | | Mubi | Cheke, Tcheke, Mapuda, Shede, Tchade, Mapodi, Mudaye, Mocigin, Motchekin | | 28,000 (1952), est. 20,000 in Cameroon | Adamawa State, Mubi LGA; Borno State, Askira–Uba LGA; and in Cameroon | |
| Holma | Bata | | | Holma | Da Holmaci | Bali Holma | | | | 4 speakers (Blench, 1987). The language has almost vanished and has been replaced by Fulfulde. | Adamawa State. Spoken north of Sorau on the Cameroon border | |
| Ngwaba | Bata | | | | | | | | Gombi, Goba | Fewer than 1000 | Adamawa State, Gombi LGA, at Fachi and Gudumiya | |
| Nzanyi | Bata | | Paka, Rogede (Rɨgudede), Nggwoli, Hoode, Maiha, Magara, Dede, Mutidi; and Lovi in Cameroon | Njanyi, Njai, Njei, Zany, Nzangi, Zani, Njeny, Jeng, Njegn, Njeng, | | Nzangɨ sg., Nzanyi pl. | Jenge, Jeng, Mzangyim, Kobochi, Kobotshi | 1.B Wur Nzanyi | | 14,000 in Nigeria (1952), 9,000 in Cameroon. | Nigeria: Adamawa State, Maiha LGA. Cameroon: West of Dourbeye near Nigerian border in Doumo region, Mayo-Oulo Subdivision, Mayo-Louti Division, North Province. | |
| Zizilivәkan | Bata | | | | Zilivә | ÀmZírív | Fali of Jilbu | | | ‘a few hundred’ in Cameroon | Adamawa State, Mubi LGA, Jilbu town; and in Cameroon | |

### North

| Language | Branch | Cluster | Dialects | Alternate spellings | Own name for language | Endonym(s) | Other names (location-based) | Other names for language | Exonym(s) | Speakers | Location(s) | Notes |
| Huba | Bura | | Luwa | Hәba | Huba | Huba | Chobba Kilba | | | 32,000 (1952); 100,000 (1980 UBS) | Adamawa State, Hong, Maiha, Mubi and Gombi LGAs | |
| Margi | Bura | | Central: Margi babal = ‘Margi of the Plain’ around Lasa, Margi Dzәrŋu = ‘Margi near the Hill öu’ around Gulak; Gwàrà; Mə̀lgwí (Mulgwe, Molgheu); Wúrgà (Urga); South Margi is counted as a separate language and is more closely related to Huba | Marghi, Margyi | Màrgí | Màrgí | | | | For Margi, Margi South and Putai: 135,000 (1955); 200,000 (1987 UBS) | Borno State, Askira–Uba and Damboa LGAs; Adamawa State, Madagali, Mubi and Michika LGAs | |
| Nggwahyi | Bura | | | Ngwaxi, Ngwohi | | | | | | One village | Borno State, Askira–Uba LGA | |
| Putai | Bura | | | | | | | Margi West | Margi Putai = ‘West Margi’, Margi of Minthla | Language dying out, but ethnic population large | Borno State, Damboa LGA | |
| Margi South | Bura | | Wamdiu, Hildi | | | | | | Margi ti ntәm | For Margi, Margi South and Putai: 135,000 (1955) | Borno State, Askira–Uba LGA; Adamawa State, Mubi and Michika LGAs | Hoffmann (1963) relates the language of Margi South to Huba rather than to Margi. |
| Bura–Pabir | Bura | | Bura Pela (Hill Bura), Bura Hyil Hawul (Plains Bura) | Bourrah, Burra, Babir, Babur | Mya Bura | Two peoples with one language: the Bura and the Pabir | Kwojeffa, Huve, Huviya | | | 72,200 (1952 W&B), 250,000 (1987 UBS) | Borno State, Biu and Askira–Uba LGAs | |
| Cibak | Bura | | | Chibak, Chibuk, Chibbuk, Chibbak, Kyibaku, Kibaku | | Cíbɔ̀k, Kikuk | | | | 20,000 (1973 SIL) | Borno State, Damboa LGA, south of Damboa town | |
| Kamwe | Higi | | Nkafa, Dakwa (Bazza), Sәna, Wula, Futu, Tili Pte, Kapsiki (Ptsәkɛ) in Cameroon | | Vәcәmwe | | | | Higi, Hiji, Kapsiki | 64,000 (1952); 180,000 (1973 SIL) est. 23,000 in Cameroon | Adamawa State, Michika LGA and into Cameroon | |
| Mukta | Higi | Kamwe | | Mukta | | | | | | Mukta village | Adamawa State | |
| Kirya-Konzәl cluster | Higi | Kirya-Konzәl | | | | | | | Fali | | Adamawa State, Michika LGA. | |
| Kirya | Higi | Kirya-Konzәl | | | myá Kákíryà | ndá Kákìryà pl. Kákìryà | | | Fali of Kiriya | 7,000 est. 2007. Kirya: 13 villages | | |
| Konzәl | Higi | Kirya-Konzәl | | | myá Kónzә̀l | ndá Kónzә̀l pl. Kónzә̀l | | | Fali of Mijilu | 9000 est. 2007. Konzәl: 15 villages | | |
| Cinene | Mandara | | | Cinene | | Cinene | | | | 3200 (Kim 2001) | Borno State, Gwoza LGA, east of Gwoza town in the mountains. 5 villages. | |
| Dghweɗe | Mandara | | | Dghwede, Hude, Johode, Dehoxde, Tghuade, Toghwede, Traude | Dghwéɗè | | | Azaghvana, Wa’a, Zaghvana | | 19,000 (1963), 7,900 (TR 1970), 30,000 (1980 UBS) | Borno State, Gwoza LGA | |
| Guduf–Cikide cluster | Mandara | Guduf–Cikide | | | | | | | Afkabiye (Lamang) | 21,300 (1963) | Borno State, Gwoza LGA, east of Gwoza town in the mountains. Six main villages. | |
| Guduf | Mandara | Guduf–Cikide | Guduf, Cikide (Chikide) | | | Kәdupaxa | | | Ɓuxe, Gbuwhe, Latәghwa (Lamang), Lipedeke (Lamang). Also applied to Dghwede. | | | |
| Gava | Mandara | Guduf–Cikide | | Gawa | | Kәdupaxa | | | Linggava, Ney Laxaya, Yaghwatadaxa, Yawotataxa, Yawotatacha, Yaxmare, Wakura | | | |
| Cikide | Mandara | Guduf–Cikide | | Cikide | | Cikide | | | | | | |
| Gvoko | Mandara | | | Gәvoko | | | Ngoshe Ndaghang, Ngweshe Ndhang, Nggweshe | | Ngoshe Sama | 2,500 (1963); 4,300 (1973 SIL); estimated more than 20,000 (1990) | Borno State, Gwoza LGA; Adamawa State, Michika LGA | |
| Lamang cluster | Mandara | Lamang | | Laamang | | | Waha | | | 15,000 (TR 1970), 40,000 (1963) | | |
| Zaladva | Mandara | Lamang | Zaladeva (Alataghwa), Dzuuɓa (Dzuuba), Lәghva (Lughva), Gwózà Wakane (Gwozo) | Zәlәdvә | | | Lamang North | | | | Borno State, Gwoza LGA | |
| Ghumbagha | Mandara | Lamang | Hә̀ɗkàlà (Xәdkala, Hidkala, Hitkala), Waga (Wagga, Woga, Waha) | | | | Lamang Central | | | | Borno State, Gwoza LGA; Adamawa State, Michika LGA; | |
| Ghudavan | Mandara | Lamang | | Ghudeven, Ghudәvәn | | | Lamang South | | | | Borno State, Gwoza LGA; Adamawa State, Michika LGA; and in Cameroon | |
| Glavda | Mandara | | Ngoshe (Ngweshe) | Galavda, Glanda, Gelebda, Gәlәvdә | | | | | Wakura | 20,000 (1963); 2,800 in Cameroon (1982 SIL) | Borno State, Gwoza LGA; also in Cameroon | |
| Hdi | Mandara | | | Hidé, Hide, Xide, Xedi | Xәdi | | Gra, Tur, Turu, Tourou, Ftour | | | | Borno State, Gwoza LGA; Adamawa State, Michika LGA; and in Cameroon | |
| Vemgo–Mabas cluster | Mandara | Vemgo–Mabas | | | | | | | | | | |
| Vemgo | Mandara | Vemgo–Mabas | | | | | | | | | Borno State, Gwoza LGA; Adamawa State, Michika LGA; and in Cameroon | |
| Mabas | Mandara | Vemgo–Mabas | | | | | | | | A single village on the Nigeria/Cameroon frontier | Adamawa State, Michika LGA. 10 km. S.E. of Madagali | |
| Wandala cluster | Mandara | Wandala | | Mandara, Ndara | | | | | | 19,300 in Nigeria (1970); 23,500 in Cameroon (1982 SIL) | Borno State. Bama, Gwoza LGAs. | |
| Wandala | Mandara | Wandala | | | | Wandala | Mandara | | | Used as a vehicular language in this locality of Nigeria and Cameroon | | |
| Mura | Mandara | Wandala | | | | Mura | Mora, Kirdi Mora | | | An archaic form of Wandala spoken by non–Islamized populations | Uncertain if Mura is spoken in Nigeria | |
| Malgwa | Mandara | Wandala | Gwanje | | | Mәlgwa | | | Malgo, Gamargu, Gamergu | 10,000 (TR 1970) | Borno State, Damboa, Gwoza and Konduga LGAs | |
| Afaɗә | Mandage | | | Afade, Affade, Afadee | Afaɗә | | Kotoko, Mogari | | | Twelve villages in Nigeria, estimate Fewer than 20,000 (1990) | Borno State, Ngala LGA; and in Cameroon | |
| Jilbe | Mandage | | | | | Jilbe | | | | ? 100 speakers (Tourneux p.c. 1999) | Borno State, a single village on the Nigeria Cameroon border, south of Dikwa | |
| Yedina | Yedina | | Yedina, Kuri (not in Nigeria) | Yídә́nà | | | | | Buduma | 20,000 in Chad; 25,000 total (1987 SIL) | Borno State, islands of Lake Chad and mostly in Chad | |

## Numerals

Comparison of numerals in individual languages:
| Classification | Language | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| A, A.1, Eastern | Boga (Boka) | ɨrtà | cə̀p | məkkən | fwəɗà | ɗurmən | tyɛ̀xxɛɬ | mwut | fwotfwə̀ɗà (2 x 4) | hàhìrta (10–1) | kum |
| A, A.1, Eastern | Ga'anda | ar̃ta (r̃ is a trill) | sur̃r̃i | mahkə̀n | fwəɗà | ɗɨrmən | mɪca | mwùt(n) | fwətfwəɗà (2 x 4) | wə̀nhəhəʔar̃tà (10–1) ? | kum |
| A, A.1, Eastern | Hwana (Hwona) | tìtal | suɣurì | maxə̀n | faɗà | tuf(ù) | mɪ̀ki | mɨɗ(u) | (w)ùvwəɗà (2 x 4) | wùtàrè (10–1) ? | ɡumdìɗi / kum |
| A, A.1, Western | Tera (1) | dà / da | rāp / rap | kúnúŋ / kununɡ | vàt / vat | qúrmún / qurmun | ⁿjòŋ / njoŋ | mút / mut | mʲāsī / myaasi | mɨ̄ɮām / mu̠dlam | ɡʷàŋ / ɡwanɡ |
| A, A.1, Western | Tera (2) | da | rab | kunuk | fad | ɠurmun | njoŋ | mut | miyasi | milam | ɡwan |
| A, A.2 | Nggwahyi (Ngwaxi) | tə̀ŋ | sɪɗà | makùr̃ | fwə̀r̃ | tufù | nkwɔ̀ | mur̃fà | ncis | mɪða | kuma |
| A, A.2, 1 | Bura (Bura-Pabir) (1) | ntànɡ | sùɗà | màkə̀r | fwàr | ntìfù | nkwà | mùrfà | cìsù | ùmðlà | kùmà |
| A, A.2, 1 | Bura (Bura-Pabir) (2) | ntaŋ | suɗà | makùr̃ | fwar̃ | ntufù | ŋ̀kwà | murfà | ncɨsù | ḿðà | kuma |
| A, A.2, 1 | Cibak (Bura-Pabir) | tə̀ŋ / patù / dukù | sudæ̀ | makùr̃ | fwòɗu | tufù | ŋ̀kwà | murɨfwæ̀ | ntsisù | mɨðæ | kuma |
| A, A.2, 1 | Putai (West Margi) | duku / təŋ / duɡu | suɗà / fɨɗɛ̀ | makùr | fɔɗu / fwoɗu | tufù | kwa / kwɔ̀ | muɗufā / muɗɨfɛ̀ | cisù / ncɪsù | ḿðà / mðɛ̀ | kuma / kumɛ |
| A, A.2, 2 | Huba (Kilba) | dzàŋ | mətlù | màkə̀r / màkərù | fòɗù | tùfù | kwà | məɗəfà | cìsù | dlà | kùmà / kùm |
| A, A.2, 2 | Central Marghi | taŋ / paɬu / tɪtɨkù | mɨɬù / sɪɗàŋ | makùr̃ | fwoɗù | ntɪfù | ŋ̀kwà | mɪɗɪfù | ntsisù | ḿðù | kumu |
| A, A.3 | Bana (1) | tánə̀ | bákə̀ | máhə̀kánə̀ | fáɗə̀ | cífə̀ | kwáŋ | bə̀rfàŋ | də̀ɣə̀sə̀ | mə̀ɬísɗə̀ | mə̀ŋ |
| A, A.3 | Bana (2) | kwətiŋ | bakə | mahkan | faɗə | cifə | kwaŋ | mbərfəŋ | dəghəs | məsliɗ | məŋ |
| A, A.3 | Hya (Higi Ghye) | paðɛ / tanɛ | ɓaɡɛ | màŋkɛ | fwaɗɛ | wcivi | kwaŋəy | mbùr̃ùfəŋəy | tùɡùzi | wɨɬti | mùŋəy |
| A, A.3 | Kafa (1) | ʔìkkòó | ɡùttòó | kèèmó | áwùddò | ʔùùttʃòó | ʃírìttòó | ʃábààttòó | ʃímìttòó | jììtʼijòó | ààʃìròó |
| A, A.3 | Kafa (2) | ʔikko | ɡutto | keemo | ʔauddo | ʔuutʃtʃo | ʃiritto | ʃabaatto | ʃimitto | jiitʼijo | ʔaaʃiro |
| A, A.3 | Kafa (3) | ʔikko | ɡutto | keemo | auddo | uuččo | širitto | šabaatto | šimitto | yiitʼtʼio | aaširo |
| A, A.3 | Kwame (Fali of Kiria) | ɡutàn / tanəy | ɓwukuʔ | màkun(u) | fwaɗùʔ | (w)cɪfuʔ | ŋkwaŋ | mbùrùfūŋ | tùɣùsùʔ | ǹwɬti(ʔyì) | ɡwùm(ù) |
| A, A.3 | Psikye (Kapsiki) | kwetɛŋe | bake | mahekene | wəfaɗe | mcɛfe | ŋkwaŋe | mberefaŋe | deɡhese | mesli | meŋe |
| A, A.4, Lamang | Hadi (Hdi) | tèkw | hìs | hə̀kə̀n | fwáɗ | hùtáf | mə̀kúʔ | ndə̀fáŋ | tə̀ɣás | tə̀mbáy / timbe | ɣwàŋ |
| A, A.4, Lamang | Lamang | tíuwá / tálá | χésá | χ̀kə́ná | ùfáɗá | χẁtáfá | m̀kwá / m̀kuwá | ə̀lfáŋá | tə̀ɣásá | tə̀mbáyá | ɣwáŋá |
| A, A.4, Lamang | Vemgo-Mabas | pál / tékw | hés | xə̀kə̀n | úfáɗ | xútáf | ŋ́ku | lə̀fàŋ | tə̀ɣàs | tə̀mbàj | ɣə̀wàŋ |
| A, A.4, Mandara Proper, Glavda | Cinene | pàlà | bùʷà | xə̀kə̀rɗà | ùfàɗà | ɮɨ̀ɓà | ŋkʷàxà | ùɗifà | tə̀ɣsà | vaslambàɗà | klawà |
| A, A.4, Mandara Proper, Glavda | Dghwede | tɨtɨkwì, tekwè | micè | xəkùrè | fiɗì | ðiɓi | ŋ́kwe | wuɗìfi | təɣə̀še / təxəse | təmbə̀ | ɣwàŋɡa |
| A, A.4, Mandara Proper, Glavda | Glavda | páll | bwa | xkərɗ | ufáɗ | ɮəɓ | ŋkwax | uɗif | tə́xs | vaslambaɗ | klàáwá |
| A, A.4, Mandara Proper, Glavda | Guduf-Gava | tekʷè / kitakʷè | mitsè | xəkərɗè | ùfəɗè | ɮɨ̀ɓè | ŋkʷaxè | ùɗifè | tə̀ɣəsè | vaslambàɗè | kuləkè |
| A, A.4, Mandara Proper, Glavda | Gvoko | palò / tekò | xecò | xəkʷarò | fwaɗò | ɮaʔò | ŋkoyò | ntfaŋɡò | tə̀ɣasò | tɨ̀mbayò | ɣʷaŋɡò |
| A, A.4, Mandara Proper, Mandara | Wandala (Malgwa) | pálle | búwa | kəɠyé | ufáɗe | iiɮəbé | unkwé | vúye | tiise | másə́lmane | kəláwa |
| A, A.4, Mandara Proper, Podoko | Podoko | kutəra | səra | makəra | ufaɗa | zlama | məkuwa | maɗəfa | za | metɨrəce | jɨma |
| A, A.5 | Cuvok (Tchouvok) (1) | ámə̀tà | át͡ʃèw | máákàr | fáɗ | ɮám | máákwà | tásə̀là | t͡ʃáákàr | t͡ʃʉ́ɗ | kùràw |
| A, A.5 | Cuvok (Tchouvok) (2) | amta, mta | ɛt͡ʃəw | maakar | faɗ | ɮam | makwa | tasəla | tsaakar | t͡ʃyɗ | kuraw |
| A, A.5 | Dugwor | bek | səla | makar | məfaɗ | zlam | mukwa | tsela | tsaamakar | tseuɗ | kurow |
| A, A.5 | Zulgo-Gemzek | ilík | súla | màkər | əfáɗ | ə̀zləm | ndílík | təsəlá | tsàmàkə̀r | tswíɗ | kúrwá |
| A, A.5 | North Giziga | ɓlà | cêw | màːkàr | m̀fàɗ | ɮòm | mérkêɗ | tàːrnà | dàːɡàfàɗ | nɡòltêr | krô |
| A, A.5 | South Giziga | plá | cúw | máakə̀r | mə̀fáɗ | ɮúm | mérkéɗ | tàrnà | dàaŋɡàfáɗ (2 x 4) ? | nɡòltír | kúrú |
| A, A.5 | Mada | ftek | séla | mahkaɾ | wfaàë | zzlaèm | mokkoà | slaasélaà | slalahkaàr | oàboèlmboè | dzmoèkw |
| A, A.5 | Mafa | sə́táɗ | cew / cecew | makár | fáɗ | zlám | mokwa | tsáraɗ | tsamakaɗ | cœ́ɗ | kula |
| A, A.5 | Matal (1) | dì / tēkùlā | sɨ̄là | màkɨ̀r | ùfàɗ | ɨ̀ɮù | mùkʷā | mɨ̀ɗɨf | m̀tìɡìʃ | làdɨ̀ɡà | kùlù |
| A, A.5 | Matal (2) | dìì / tékùlá | sə̀là | mákə̀r | úfàɗ | ə́ɮùw | mə̀kwá | mə̀də̀f | mə̀tə̀ɡìʃ | ládə̀ɡá | kùlù |
| A, A.5 | Mbuko | kərtek | tsew | maakaŋ | fuɗo | ɗara | mbərka | tsuwɓe | dzəmaakaŋ | dəsuɗo | kuro |
| A, A.5 | Mefele | mə̀tá | cécèw | màhkár | fwàɗ | ɮàm | mòkwá | tsə̀làɗ | t͡ʃáhkàr | t͡ʃʉ́ɗ | dùmbók |
| A, A.5 | Merey | nə̀tê | súlò | màkàr | fàɗ | ɮàm | m̀kô | tàsə́là | tsàːmàːkàr | cö̂ɗ | krôw |
| A, A.5 | Mofu-Gudur | teɗ / ték (counting), pál (enumation) | t͡sew | máakar | məfaɗ | ɮam | maakwáw | maasála | daaŋɡafaɗ | ɮam-leték / ɮam-leteɗ | kúráw |
| A, A.5 | North Mofu | nettey | suho | makar | fáɗ | ɮàm | mukó | taasə́lá | tsamakàŋ | tsəɗ | kuro |
| A, A.5 | Moloko | bɪ̀lɛ́ŋ | tʃɛ́w | màkáɾ | ùfáɗ / mɔ̀fáɗ | ɮɔ̀m | mʊ̀kʷɔ̀ | ʃɪ̀sɛ́ɾɛ́ | ɬálákáɾ | hɔ́lɔ́mbɔ́ | kʷʊ̀ɾɔ́ |
| A, A.5 | Muyang | bílìŋ | tʃỳ | màhkə̄r | fāɗ | ɮàm | mʊ̀kʷū | ādə́skə̄lā | āɮáláxkə̄r | āmbʊ́lmbō | krū |
| A, A.5 | Ouldeme (Wuzlam) | ʃɛ̄lɛ́ŋ | brɛ̄tʃâw / tʃâw | mākár | mə̄fáɗ | ɮàm | mōkō | sə̄sə̄lā | fə̄rfáɗ | álɓìt | kōlō |
| A, A.5 | Vame (Pelasla) | ɓìlɛ́ | tʃâw | máŋɡàn | fúːɗàw | ɗáːrà | márkà | tʃíɓà | ʒíːrɛ̀ | táhkɛ̀ | dʒɛm |
| A, A.6 | Sukur (1) | kə̀lí | bák | ma̋ken | fwáɗ | ɮám | mʊ́kwà | máɗáf | tə̀kə̀z | míçí / míɬí | ʔwàn |
| A, A.6 | Sukur (2) | tá.í | bákʼ | máːkə̀n | fwáɗ | ɮám | mə́kkwà | máɗaf | tə́kkəz | məɬi | wàŋ |
| A, A.7 | Buwal | tɛ́ŋɡʷʊ̄lɛ̀ŋ | ɡ͡bɑ́k | mɑ̄xkɑ́t̚ | ŋ̀fɑ́t̚ | dzɑ̄ɓɑ́n | ŋ̀ʷkʷɑ́x | ŋ̀ʃɪ́lɛ́t̚ | dzɑ̄mɑ̄xkɑ̄t̚ (5 + 3) | dzɑ́fɑ́t̚ (5 + 4) | wɑ́m |
| A, A.7 | Daba | takan | səray | makaɗ | faɗ | jeɓin | koh | cesireɗ | cəfaɗcəfaɗ (4 + 4) | dərfatakan (10–1) | ɡuɓ təɓa təɓa |
| A, A.7 | Gavar | ŋ̀tɑ́t̚ | ɡ͡bɑ̀k | mɑ̄xkɑ̀t̚ | ŋ̀fɑ̄t̚ | dzɑ̄ɓə̄n | ŋ̀kʷɑ́x | ŋ̀ʃɪ́lít̚ | dzɑ̄mɑ̄xkɑ̄t̚ (5 + 3) | dzɑ́ŋfɑ́t̚ (5 + 4) | wɑ̄m |
| A, A.7 | Mbedam | ntɑɗ | bɑk | mɑxkɑɗ | mfɑɗ | dʒəɓɑn | ŋkwɑx | diʃliɗ | dʒɑmɑxkɑɗ (5 + 3) | tsɑfɑɗ (5 + 4) | wɑm |
| A, A.7 | Mina (Hina) | ǹtá | suloɗ | mahkaɗ | mfáɗ | dzəbuŋ | ǹkú | dìsùlùɗ | fáɗfáɗ (2 x 4) | varkanta | ɡə̀ɓ |
| A, A.8 | Bacama (Bachama) | hiɗò | k͡pe | ḿwɔ̀kun | fwət | tuf | tukwə̀ltaka (5 + 1) | tukòluk͡pe (5 + 2) | fwɔ̂fwət (2 x 4) | ɗɔ̀mbiɗò (10–1) | bə̌w |
| A, A.8 | Fali (Fali of Mucella) | tɛ̀n / ʔar̃mə | bek / buk | màxk(u) | fwəɗ | tuf | yiɗə̀w | mbùr̃fuŋ | tùɣus | mɪ̀ðɪŋ | ɡùm |
| A, A.8 | Gude | tèen / rûŋ | bə̀ráʔy | màkk | ǹfwáɗ | tə́f | kùwà | mə̀ɗə̀f | tə̀ɣə́s | ìllíŋ | puʔ |
| A, A.8 | Gudu (Gudo) | ǰə́ŋ | bœ̀k | māːkə́n | fwád | tùf | kwǎ | mīskàtā | fɔ̄rfwād (2 x 4) | žīɛ́tə́pə̀n | pú |
| A, A.8 | Jimi (Mwulyen) | híɗò / tɛ̂n | búk / bíkə̌ | mwàkɨ́n / maxkə́n | fwad / fwátʼ | túhf / tɯ́f | túkwàldèáká / bə̌rfǐŋ | túkwàlóʔpé / tɯ̀ʁɯ́s | fwáfwàɗ (2 x 4) / mìɮíɲ | táàmbíɗò / pó? | bù |
| A, A.8 | Nzanyi | hɪɗè | buk | mɨ̀dɨfəl | fwət | tuf | kwɔx | mɨ̀skatə̀ | fwəfwaɗè (2 x 4) | təmɓeɗè | pu |
| A, A.8 | Zizilivakan | lɪm | sul | màxku | fwəy | mùxtyup | ŋ̀kwaʔ | mbùrfìŋ | tə̀ɣìs | mɨ̀ðì | ɡumù |
| B, B.1, Buduma | Buduma (Yedina) | ɡə̀tté | kí | ɡàkə́nnə́ | híɡáy | híŋɟì | hə̀ràkkə́ | tùlwár | wósə́kə́ | hílíɡár | hákkán |
| B, B.1, Kotoko Proper, North | Afade | sə́rə̀jā | sɗā | ɡàrkə̀ | ɡàɗē | ʃìʃí | və̀nārkə̄ (2 x 3) | kàtùl | vìyāɗē (2 x 4) | dìʃẽ̄ | χkàn |
| B, B.1, Kotoko Proper, North | Mpade | pál | ɡāsì | ɡòkúrò | ɡāɗè | ʃénsī | ʃéskótē | túlùr < Kanuri | jìlìɡàɗè (2 x 4) | jìàtálà | kán |
| B, B.1, Kotoko Proper, South | Lagwan | sə́ɣdia, tkú | χsɗá | ɡǎχkər | ɡǎɗe | ʃēʃí | vɛnǎχkər / vɛnǎχəkər (2 x 3) | kátul | vɛɲáɗe (2 x 4) | diʔiʃén | χkan |
| B, B.2 | Mbara | kítáy, ɗów | mòk | ùhú | púɗú | íɬím | ɬírá | mìɡzàk / mùɡizàk | mìsílày / mùsílày | wáːŋá | dòːɡò / dòk |
| B, B.2 | Musgu | kítáy, ɗáw | súlú | hú | púɗú | ɬím | ɬàːrà | mìɡzàk / mùɡzàk | mìtwìs / mìtìs | tíklá | dòːɡò |
| C | Gidar | tákà | súlà | hókù | póɗò | ɬé | ɬré | bùhúl | dòdòpórò (2 x 4) ? | váyták (10–1) ? | kláù |