Nkonya (Nkunyá)

Nkonya is a member of the Kwa branch of the Niger-Congo language family. It is spoken by about 20,400 people in the southeast of Ghana, particularly in the Central Volta Region to the east of Lake Volta and north of Ahenkro.

Nkonya is also known as Nkunya. There are two dialects: a northern dialect, which is spoken in and around Wurupong, and a southern dialect, which is spoken in and around Tepo. It is written with the Latin alphabet, although few Nkonya speakers are literate in their language. There is some written material in the language, including a dictionary, grammar and a translation of the New Testament.

Nkonya Alphabet

Notes

A high tone is indicated with an acute accent (á). Other tones are not usually marked.
Ky is alternatively written ts
The letters v and z are only used in loanwords from other languages.

Download an Nkonya alphabet chart (Excel)

Sample text (The Lord's Prayer - Luke 11: 2-4)

Yesu lɛbla amʋ́ ɔbɛɛ, “Nɩ mlɔ́bɔ mpaɩ a, mlɩbɔ mʋ́ alɩ. ‘Anɩ Sɩ, aha bʋbu fʋ ɩda. Ba begyi iwie.
Ha anɩ atogyihɛá ɩbɔ́fʋn anɩ ekekegyiɛkɛ.
Si anɩ lakpan kie anɩ, fɛ alɩá anɩtesikie aha ánɩ́ bʋtɔpʋ ɩla gyi anɩ. Mákpa anɩ wa ɩsɔkɩtɔ.>”

Source: Bible.com

Translation (English)

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Source: https://association-ayizokogbe.org/en/bible/biblical-books/gospel-of-luke

Sample videos in Nkonya

Links

Information about Nkonya
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nkonya_language
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/nko
https://www.webonary.org/nkonya/
https://www.sil.org/resources/search/language/nko
https://nkonya.webonary.org/files/Nkonya_Phonology_FINAL.pdf

Kwa languages

Abidji, Adele, Ahanta, Akan, Akuapem, Anii, Anyin, Avatime, Baoulé, Chakosi, Cherepon, Chumburung, Dangme, Fante, Foodo, Ga, Gonja, Kebu, Krache, Kyode, Likpe, Logba, Mbato, Nkonya, Nzema, Siwu, Tchaman, Twi

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page created: 27.01.23. Last modified: 27.01.23

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