Atlantic–Congo languages


The Atlantic–Congo languages are a major division constituting the core of the Niger–Congo language family of Africa, characterised by the noun class systems typical of the family. They comprise all of Niger–Congo except Mande, Dogon, Ijoid and the Katla and Rashad languages. Mukarovsky's West-Nigritic corresponded roughly to modern Atlantic–Congo.
In the infobox at the right, the languages which appear to be the most divergent are placed at the top. The Atlantic branch is defined in the narrow sense, while the former Atlantic branches Mel and the isolates Sua, Gola and Limba, are split out as primary branches; they are mentioned next to each other because there is no published evidence to move them; Volta–Congo is intact apart from Senufo and Kru.
In addition, Güldemann lists Nalu and Rio Nunez as unclassified languages within Niger-Congo.
There are a few poorly attested languages, such as Bayot and Bung, which may prove to be additional branches.