Igboid languages


Igboid languages constitute a branch of the Volta–Niger language family. It includes Ekpeye, Ukwuani, and the Igbo languages:
Williamson and Blench conclude that the Igbo languages form a "language cluster" and that they are somewhat mutually intelligible. However, mutual intelligibility is only marginal, even among the Izii–Ikwo–Ezaa–Mgbo languages.

Names and locations

Below is a list of language names, populations, and locations from Blench.
LanguageClusterDialectsAlternate spellingsOwn name for languageEndonymOther names Other names for languageExonymSpeakersLocation
Igbo
ỊkaAgbor ; southern and eastern varieties are more similar to IgboÌḳáAgborDelta State, Ika and Orhionmwon LGAs
IkwereNorthern dialects: Elele, Apanị, Ọmerelu, Ubima, Isiokpo, Ọmagwna, Ipo, Ọmudioga, Ọmuanwa, Igwuruta, Egbedna, Alụu, Ịbaa; Southern dialects: Akpọ–Mgbu–Tolu, Ọbio, Ọgbakiri, Rụmuji, Ndele, EmọhuaIkwerreÌwhnuruò`hnà54,600 ; possibly 200,000 Rivers State, Ikwerre, Port Harcourt and Obio–Akpor LGAs
Izii–Ẹzaa–Ikwo–Mgbo clusterIzii–Ẹzaa–Ikwo–Mgbo593,000
IziIzii–Ẹzaa–Ikwo–MgboEzzi, Izzi84,000 ; 200,000 Anambra State, Abakaliki and Ishielu LGAs; Benue State, Okpokwu LGA
ẸzaaIzii–Ẹzaa–Ikwo–MgboEza93,800 ; 180,000 Anambra State, Ezza and Ishielu LGAs; Abia State, Ohaozara LGA; Benue State, Okpokwu LGA
IkwoIzii–Ẹzaa–Ikwo–Mgbo38,500 ; 150,000 Anambra State, Ikwo and Abakaliki LGAs
MgboIzii–Ẹzaa–Ikwo–MgboNgbo19,600 ; 63,000 Anambra State, Ishielu LGA
OgbahEgnih, South Ogbah, West OgbahOgba22,750 Rivers State, Ahoada LGA
ẸkpẹyẹAccording to clan names: Ako, Upata, Ubye, IgbuduyaEkpeye, Ekpabya, Ekkpahia, Ekpaffia20,000 ; 50,000 Rivers State, Ahoada LGA
Ụkwuanị–Aboh–Ndọnị clusterỤkwuanị–Aboh–Ndọnị150,000 Delta State, Ndokwa LGA; Rivers State, Ahoada LGA
ỤkwuanịỤkwuanị–Aboh–NdọnịUtaaba, Emu, Abbi, ObiarukuUkwani, Ukwali, KwaleDelta State, Ndokwa LGA
AbohỤkwuanị–Aboh–NdọnịEbohDelta State, Ndokwa LGA
NdọnịỤkwuanị–Aboh–NdọnịRivers State, Ahoada LGA