Native speakers (20,000 cited 1980) | Ethnicity Engenni people ISO 639-3 enn | |
Language family Niger–CongoAtlantic–CongoVolta–NigeryeaiEdoidDeltaEngenni |
Engenni (Ẹgẹnẹ) is an Edoid language of Nigeria.
Grammar
Engenni is a fairly isolating language, having little affixation. There is no plural form for words. It has definite articles, but no indefinite articles. There is a two-contrast with regards to demonstratives, while pronominal and adnominal demonstratives are identical (as in English). Verbs are marked for perfective/imperfective aspect, but there is no past tense.
Engenni is an SVO language that uses prepositions. Adjectives, demonstratives, and numerals follow the noun they describe. Yes–no questions are marked with a special particle, which goes at the end of the question. Negation is indicated by a change in tone.
References
Engenni language Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA