This research focuses on the phonology of Yukuben, a language spoken by about 25,000 speakers in Sabongida Yukuben of Takum Local Government Area in the east of Taraba State in Nigeria, and North West Province, Menchum division, west of Furu-Awa, near Nigeria border in Cameroon. In the absence of a population census, a rough estimate would put their population at over 500,000.
Yukuben is however a generally accepted term (oxonomy) for an area, an ethnic group and a language located mainly at the eastern edge of Nigeria (but also in the neighbouring part of Cameroon). The name Yukuben was derived from Jukun (the language of Takum) which serves as lingua franca in Taraba. The speakers call themselves Yukuben, and the language is locally called Uhumkiji.
Today, the Yukuben is widely spread across such states as Kaduna, Yola etc. in Nigeria and also in North West regions in Cameroon. The speakers are also found in every part of the country, and in many African countries such as Niger, Cameroon, to mention a few.
(Source: Lewis M. Paul (ed) 2009, “Yukuben a language of Nigeria”)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page………….…..……………………………………………..i
Certification…….……………………………………………………ii
Dedication…………..……………………………………………….iii
Acknowledgements….………………………………………………iv
List of Abbreviations…….………………………………………….vi
Table of Contents………….………………………………………..vii
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 General Background…………………………….……………..1
1.1 Historical Background…………………………………………1
1.2 Socio Linguistic………………………………………………..3
1.2.0 The Yukuben Speakers……………………………...…………3
1.2.1 Population of the Yukubens…………………………...……….4
1.2.2 Yukuben Dialects and Nomenclature………………….………5
1.3 Socio Cultural Profile………………………………….………6
1.3.1 Religion……………………………………………………….6
1.3.2 Occupation…………………………………………………….7
1.3.3 Marriage……………………………………………………….8
1.3.4 Governance…………………………………………………….9
1.3.5 Traditional and Festivals…………………………………….....9
1.4 Genetic Classification of Yukuben………………………..….11
1.5 Scope and Organisation of the study………………………....12
1.6 Theoretical Framework……………………………………….13
1.6.1 The Structure of Generative Phonology…………………..….14
1.7 Data Collection……………………………………………….16
1.8 Data Analysis…………………………………………………18
CHAPTER TWO
PHONOLOGICAL CONCEPTS IN YUKUBEN
2.0 Introduction…………………………………………………..19
2.1 Sound Inventory of Yukuben………………………………..20
2.1.1 Consonants Segment in Yukuben…………………………….20
2.1.2 Yukuben Consonant Chart……………………………………25
2.1.3 Distribution of Consonant in Yukuben Features Used……….26
2.2 Vowels Segment in Yukuben……………………………...…46
2.2.1 Distribution of Vowels in Yukuben………………………….49
2.3 Distinctive Features of Yukuben Sounds…………………….66
2.4 Justification of the Features used..…………………..……….72
2.5 Yukuben Tonal Inventory…………………………………….75
2.6 Syllable Structure of Yukuben………………………………..79
2.7 Segment Redundancy of Yukuben Sounds…………………..86
CHAPTER THREE
PHONOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN YUKUBEN
3.0 Observed Introduction……………………………………….91
3.1.1 Assimilation…………………………………………………..92
3.1.2 Labialization………………………………………………….94
3.1.3 Patalization…………………………………………………...96
3.1.4 Vowel Harmony………………………………………………97
3.1.5 Deletion……………………………………………………...100
3.1.6 Nasalization…………………………………………………102
CHAPTER FOUR
SYLLABLE AND TONAL PROCESSES
4.0 Introduction………………………………………………….104
4.1 The Syllable Structure of Yukuben…………...…………….104
4.1.1 Closed Syllable in Yukuben Language……………………..106
4.1.2 Open Syllable in Yukuben Language……………………….106
4.2 The Syllable in Yukuben……………………………………107
4.2.1 Monosyllabic Words………………………………………..107
4.2.2 Disyllabic Words……………………………………………109
4.2.3 Trisyllabic Words…………………………………………..110
4.2.4 Quadri-syllabic Words……………………………………..111
4.3 Tonal Processes in Yukuben………………………………..111
4.4 Tonal Pattern in Yukuben…………………………………..112
4.5 Tonal Processes……………………………………………..118
4.5.1 Tone Spreading……………………………………………...119
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation……………….121
5.1 Summary………………………...…………………………..121
5.2 Conclusion………………………..…………………………123
5.4 Recommendations…………………..……………………….123
5.5 References…………………………..……………………….125
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF YUKUBEN
According to oral tradition, the Yukubens originated from Iden in the north neighbouring Cameroon. A large part moved down to their present location on the plains at the foot of some hills namely Kichieni, Sabo, Iya, Kehensin, Oluko, Kalakir and Ito during the British colonization. Since Cameroon was colonized by the French, there was a boundary that separated both countries and the people.
Their oral history also has it that the Kuteb once tried to invade the Jukuns, but the Jukuns fought back and were victorious. Then, the Kuteb tried another plot on Yukuben sometime around 1992. Failingly, the Kuteb went back to fight the Jukun again, who eventually put an end to their will of invasion.
Oral tradition also has it that presently there is no king title in Takum since there is no proven superiority nor is there a conclusive agreement between the Jukun and Kuteb. King in Jukun is called Kuru and Okue in Kuteb. Though, history has it that the Jukuns once proposed the king be called ‘chief’ instead of both contradicting names, but the Kuteb claimed the name ‘chief’ was foreign and unacceptable.
However, oral tradition states that the Yukuben, being able to drive the Kuteb away afforded them the opportunity of owning their kingdom and having their king title as the “Udeng Uquen of Uhumkji land”.
