The Konkomba language, known natively as Likpakpaln, is spoken by the Konkomba people, who are also known as the Bikpakpaam. The Konkomba language has several dialects, including, but not limited to, Lichaboil, Ligbeln, Likoonli, Limonkpeln and Linafeel. The dialects of Konkomba emerged because different families and groups settled together and adopted unique pronunciation and vocabulary patterns, forming what could be called uniform dialect groupings. For example, "map geek" in, "may LAK Iya", and "many men" all mean "I don't like that". This type of variation can be heard in Likpakpaln, depending on the geographic area or what clan is dominant in a particular settlement. However, Lichaboil dialect is the written variety. Other Bikpakpaam dialects classifications include Linankpel, Likpalil, Linandeln, Lisagmaln, and Linalol. A reasonable amount of Likpakpaln literature exists. This literature includes primers for teaching, a dictionary, storybooks, and folk tales. There is also a full translation of the Bible in Likpakpaln, created through the work of GILLBT and GIL, Mary Steele, and RILADEP. Work on the Likpakpaln Bible translation was started by Mary Steele in 1962 when she arrived to work with the Wycliffe Bible Translators.
Linguistic classification
Likpakpaln is coded in ISO 639-3 as xon. Likpakpaln is a genetic affiliate of the Niger-Congo phylum. Taking a cue from Naden, one can derive the genetic root of Likpakpaln as represented below: Niger Congo → Proto-Gur → Central Gur → Oti Volta → Gurma → Likpakpaln. Within the Gurma linguistic circle, the closest languages to Likpakpaln are Bimoba and Bassari.
A, B, CH, D, E, F, G, GB, I, J, K, KP, L, M, N, NY, Ŋ, ŊM, O, Ɔ, P, R, S, T, U, W, Y.
Lower-case letters
a, b, ch, d, e, f, g, gb, i, j, k, kp, l, m, n, ny, ŋ, ŋm, o, ɔ, p, r, s, t, u, w, y. The orthography follows that used in the literature currently in print in Likpakpaln. Under the current convention, long and short vowels are distinguished by the use of single and double letters respectively.. Tone is not marked, but where two words contrast only in tone and the context is unlikely to indicate a distinction in meaning, an "h" is added after the vowel in one of the words. Certain variations that may occur in the a given speaker's speech. For example, sometimes a speaker may use the /r/ sound and sometimes the /l/ sound. Also, there may be variations between one speaker and another within the same village. This is, however, at the phonological level and does not affect semantic interpretation.
Vowels
The vowels are: a, e, i, o, ɔ, u.
Phonology
Letters and sounds are organized as shown below. The format shows a Roman Alphabet letter, followed by a similar sound in English, followed by and example showing a Likpakpaln word containing a similar sound, followed by the meaning of the word in English.
a e.g.: n-na b e.g. ubo ch e.g. chapiln d e.g. da e e.g. kpe f e.g. falaa g e.g. gaa gb e.g. gbi h e.g. haali I e.g. ipii j e.g. kijuk k e.g. kiyiik kp e.g. uninkpil l e.g. lafee m e.g. limual n e.g. linuul ŋ ŋm e.g. ŋmɔ ny e.g. nya o e.g. lijol ɔ e.g. mɔk p e.g. paacham r e.g. ipaar s e.g. kisaak t e.g. litakpaal u e.g. likuul w e.g. Uwumbɔr y e.g. liyimbil.
