Kiong language
Endangered Cross River language of Nigeria
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kiong, or Kayon, is a nearly extinct Upper Cross River language of Nigeria. Okoyong speakers of the Kiong language are geographically located in the Odukpani, Akamkpa and Biase local government areas of Cross River State. This language was documented in 1990s, and it have 25 speakers counted in 1998. But in 2010, only 8 elders were able to speak Kiong (all in the 70s), leaving the language critically endangered/nearly extinct.
| Kiong | |
|---|---|
| Kayon | |
| Akoiyang | |
| Native to | Nigeria |
| Region | Cross River State |
| Ethnicity | 570 Akayon (no date)[1] |
Native speakers | 8 (2010)[1] |
Niger–Congo?
| |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | kkm |
| Glottolog | kion1242 |
| ELP | Kiong |
Phonology
- /b/ is unvoiced [p] word-finally.
- /x/ can be heard as [h~ʁ].
- /ŋ/ is labialized [ŋʷ] syllable-initially.
Kiong also has four tones;[2] high, low, rising, and falling.
