Guthrie classification of Bantu languages

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
See also: Hammarström classification

Bantu
Narrow Bantu
Geographic
distribution
Southern Bantoid
  • Bantu
Subdivisions
  • Zones A–S (geographic)
Glottolognarr1281
The approximate locations of the sixteen Guthrie Bantu zones, including the addition of a zone J

The 250 or so "Narrow Bantu languages" are conventionally divided up into geographic zones first proposed by Malcolm Guthrie (1967–1971).[1] These were assigned letters A–S and divided into decades (groups A10, A20, etc.); individual languages were assigned unit numbers (A11, A12, etc.), and dialects further subdivided (A11a, A11b, etc.). This coding system has become the standard for identifying Bantu languages; it was a practical way to distinguish many ambiguously named languages before the introduction of ISO 639-3 coding, and it continues to be widely used. Only Guthrie's Zone S is (sometimes) considered to be a genealogical group. Since Guthrie's time a Zone J (made of languages formerly classified in groups D and E) has been set up as another possible genealogical group bordering the Great Lakes.

The list is first summarized, with links to articles on accepted groups of Bantu languages (bold decade headings). Following that is the complete 1948[2] list, as updated by Guthrie in 1971 and by J. F. Maho in 2009.

Summary

The list below reflects Guthrie as updated by Maho (2009). Not included in detail are the Northeast Bantu languages characterized by

Dahl's Law, which is thought to be a genealogical group, cuts across the Guthrie system, and is covered at Northeast Bantu. Other groups with dedicated articles, such as Southern Bantu
(Zone S) are also only summarized here, so that the initial listing is only a summary and an index for other articles.

Ethnologue made multiple changes to Guthrie in an attempt to make the classification more historically accurate. However, the changes are inconsistent, and Ethnologue has not been followed here, though it is publicly available online. Thus a code may mean different things depending on whether Guthrie or SIL is being followed. (See link below for the SIL code assignments.) The updates in Maho (2009), on the other hand, are designed to be compatible with the original values of the codes.

Bantu has long been divided into Northwest Bantu (Forest Bantu) and Central Bantu (Savanna Bantu) branches based upon tone patterns, but there is little agreement as to which Guthrie zones (or which parts of zones) should be in either, the dichotomy is dubious, and they have not been followed here.

Accepted genealogical groups within the Guthrie zones are boldfaced.

Zone A

S Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, N Gabon

Zone A is sometimes considered Forest Bantu.

Guthrie's A60 and part of his A40 have been removed to the Southern Bantoid Mbam languages. Sawabantu may include some of the A10 languages apart from Manenguba, whereas Bube may belong in Mbam.

Southern Bantoid Jarawan was assigned to Zone A by Gerhardt (1982) and Blench (ms 2006, 2011), specifically to A60, within Mbam.

According to several scholars, including Blench, there can be no coherent concept of Bantu as long as many of the Zone A and perhaps Zone B languages are included.

Zone B

S Gabon, W Congo, W DR-Congo

Zone B is sometimes considered Forest Bantu.

B10–30 may belong together as Kele–Tsogo, B40 with Kongo–Yaka (H), and B50–70 with H24 Songo as Teke–Mbede.

Zone C

NW DR-Congo, N Congo

Zone C is sometimes considered Forest Bantu, sometimes Savanna Bantu.

There are proposals for three larger clades, Mboshi–Buja covering C10–20 and C37+41, and Bangi–Tetela covering C30 with C50–80 (Motingea 1996), and C40a together with D20–30 in Boan.

Zone D

NE DR-Congo

D10, D30, and some of D20 and D40 are sometimes considered Forest Bantu, the others Savanna Bantu.

Most of D40–60 has been moved to Great Lakes Bantu languages. Lengola, Bodo, and Nyali may belong together as Lebonya, and Beeke in Boan.

Zone E

Kenya, apart from Swahili

The languages of Zone E have been reassigned: E10–E40 to Great Lakes Bantu languages; E50 Kikuyu–Kamba (Central Kenya Bantu) and E60 Chaga–Taita to Northeast Bantu; E70 Nyika to Northeast Bantu, mostly in Sabaki.

Zone F

W & C Tanzania.

Much of F20 and F30, including the major language Sukuma, have been reclassified as Northeast Bantu, with Bungu to Rukwa and Sumbwa as Great Lakes. Mbugwe–Rangi, however, form a valid node by themselves.

Isanzu is sometimes classified as F30, as a variety of Nilamba, and sometimes thought to be a remnant of the Bantu languages spoken in the area before F-zone languages arrived.

Zone G

E Tanzania, Comoros

The languages of Zone G have been reclassified, G60 Bene–Kinga to Northeast Bantu, and the other branches more specifically to Northeast Coast Bantu languages.

Zone H

NW Angola, W Congo

H10 and H40 are sometimes considered Forest Bantu, the others Savanna Bantu.

H10 Kunyi, Suundi, and Vili have been split between B40 and L10. H40 is split between H30 and L10.

Kongo–Yaka may form a family, perhaps with B40 Sira.

Zone J

Uganda, Rwanda–Burundi, near lakes Kivu & Victoria

Zone K

E Angola, W Zambia

K20 Lozi is now classified as Southern Bantu, specifically Shona [citation needed]. Some K30 languages have been reclassified as Kavango, but Luyana is an independent lineage. K40 Subiya–Totela has been reclassified as Botatwe, apart from Mbukushu, which appears to be an independent lineage.

Zone L

S DR-Congo, C Zambia

L20 Songe (apart perhaps from Lwalu), L30 Luba, L40 Kaonde, and L60 Nkoya have been grouped as Luban.

Zone M

E Zambia, SE DR-Congo

Sabi–Bobatwe may be related.

Zone N

Malawi and surrounding areas, C Mozambique, N. Zimbabwe, W. Zambia

N10 Manda has been classified as Rufiji–Ruvuma, and the N20 Tumbuka 'dialect' Senga as Sabi.

Zone P

NE Mozambique, SE Tanzania

P10 Matuumbi and P20 Yao have been classified as

Southern Bantu
.

Zone R

SW Angola, N Namibia, N Botswana

R20 Ovambo, R30 Herero, and R10 apart from Umbundu have been grouped together as Southwest Bantu. Yeyi forms its own lineage.

Zone S

South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, S. Mozambique.

Full list (1948/2009)

Following is the original list from Guthrie (1948), with all numerical assignments, as updated by Guthrie himself (1971) and J.F. Maho (2009). The groups are geographic, and do not necessarily imply a relationship between the languages within them. Words in parentheses are added for disambiguation. Numbers in brackets are changes made in Maho (2009); languages in brackets were added by Maho (2009). Languages of the proposed Zone J are included among zones D and E.

Zone A

A10: A11[101]
Mbo, [A141 Bafo, A151 Nkongho
, multiple additions to A101 Oroko]
A20: A21 Bomboko, A22 Baakpe, A23 Su, A24 Duala, A25 Oli, A26 Pongo, A27 Mulimba, [A221 Bubia, A231 Kole, additions to A24–26 Duala]
A30: A31a
Bapoko, A33a Yasa, A33b Kombe, A34 Benga
A40: A41
South Kogo, A44 Banen, A45 Nyokon, A46 Mandi, [A441 Aling'a, A461 Bonek, A462 Yambeta
]
A50: A51
Fa’, A52 Kaalong, A53 Kpa, A54 Ngayaba, [A501 Hijuk
]
A60: A61[601]
Mangisa, A64[601] Bacenga, A65 Bati, [A621 Baca, A622 Gunu, A623 Mbule
]
A70: A71
Bakja, A72d Yangafek, A73a Bëbëlë, A73b Gbïgbïl, A74 Bulu, A75 Fang, [A751 South-West Fang
]
A80: A81 Mvumbo, A82 So, A83 Makaa, A84 Njem, A85a Konabem, A85b Bekwil, A86a Medjime, A86b Mpompo, A86c Mpiemo, A87 Bomwali, [A801 Gyele, A802 Ukwedjo, A803 Shiwe, A831 Byep, A832 Bekol, A841 Bajue, A842 Koonzime]
A90: A91 Kwakum, A92a Pol, A92b Pomo, A93 Kako

Zone B

B10: B11a Mpongwe, B11b Rongo, B11c Galwa, B11d Dyumba, B11e Nkomi
B20: B21
Sama, B204 Ndambomo, B205 Metombola, B221 Molengue, B251 Shake, B252 Mahongwe
]
B30: B31 Tsogo, B32 Kande, [B301 Viya, B302 Himbaka, B303 Bongwe, B304 Pinzi, B305 Vove]
B40: B41 Sira, B42 Sangu, B43 Punu, B44 Lumbu, [B401 Bwisi, B402 Varama, B403 Vungu, B404 Ngubi, B411 Bwali]
B50: B51 Duma, B52 Nzebi, B53 Tsaangi, [B501 Wanzi, B502 Mwele, B503 Vili]
B60: B61
Yangho
]
B70: B71a Tege-Kali, B71b Njiningi, B72a Ngungwele, B72b Mpumpu, B73a Tsaayi, B73b Laali, B73c Yaa, B73d Kwe, B74a Ndzindziu, B74b Boma, B75 Bali (Teke), B76a Musieno, B76b Ngee, B77a Kukwa, B77b Fumu, B78 Wuumu, [B701 Tsitsege]
B80: B81 Tiene, B82 Boma, B83 Mfinu, B84a[84] Mpuon, B84b[84] Mpuun, B85a Mbiem, B85b East Yans, B85c Yeei, B85d Ntsuo, B85e Mpur, B86 Di, B87[84] Mbuun, [B821 Mpe, B822 Nunu, B861 Ngul (Ngwi), B862 Lwel, B863 Mpiin, B864 West Ngongo, B865 Nzadi]

Zone C

C10: C11
Bozaba
]
C20: C21
Mbosi, C26 Kwala, C27 Kuba, [C201 Bwenyi
]
C30: C31a
Dzamba, C323 Mpama, C371 Tembo, C372 Kunda, C373 Gbuta, C374 Babale
]
C40: C41
Ngombe, C42 Bwela, C43 Bati, C44 Boa, C45 Angba, [C401 Pagibete, C403 Kango, C411 Bomboma, C412 Bamwe, C413 Dzando, C414 Ligendza, C415 Likula, C441 Bango
]
C50: C51
Foma, [C501 Likile, C502 Linga
]
C60: C61a Northeast Mongo, C61b Northwest Mongo, C62 Lalia, [C63 Ngando, C611 Bafoto]
C70: C71
Kela, C76 Ombo, [C701 Langa
]
C80: C81 Dengese, C82 Songomeno, C83 Busoong, C84 Lele, C85 Wongo

Zone D

D10: D11 Mbole, D12 Lengola, D13 Metoko, D14 Enya, [D141 Zura]
D20: D21
Bali, D22 Amba, D23 Komo, D24 Songola, D25 Lega, D26 Zimba, D27 Bangubangu, D28a West Holoholo, D28b East Holoholo, [D201 Liko, D211 Kango, D251 Lega-Malinga, D281 Tumbwe, D282 Lumbwe
]
D30: D31 Peri, D32 Bira, D33 Nyali, [D301 Kari, D302 Guru, D303 Ngbinda, D304 †Homa, D305 Nyanga-li, D306 Gbati-ri, D307 Mayeka, D308 Bodo (CAR), D311 Bila, D312 Kaiku, D313 Ibutu, D331 Bvanuma, D332 Budu, D333 Ndaaka, D334 Mbo, D335 Beeke, D336 Ngbee]
D40: [J]D41 Konzo, [J]D42 Ndandi, D43 Nyanga
D50: [J]D51 Hunde, [J]D52 Haavu, [J]D53 Nyabungu, D54 Bembe, D55 Buyi, [J]D56 Kabwari, [JD501 Nyindu, JD502 Yaka, JD531 Tembo]
[J]D60: D61 Ruanda, D62 Rundi, D63 Fuliiro, D64 Subi, D65 Hangaza, D66 Ha, D67 Vinza, [JD631 Vira]

Zone E

[J]E10: E11
Ruli, JE121 Hema
]
[J]E20: E21
Ruri
]
[J]E30: E31a
Songa
]
E40: [J]E41
Sweta
]
E50: E51
Cuka
]
E60: E61[621a]
Rombo, E63 Rusa, E64 Kahe, E65 Gweno
E70: E71
Degere, E74 Taita
]

Zone F

F10: F11
Bende
F20: F21 Sukuma, F22 Nyamwezi, F23 Sumbwa, F24 Kimbu, F25 Bungu
F30: F31
Langi, F34 Mbugwe

Zone G

G10: G11
Kaguru
G20: G21 [E74a]
Asu, G23 Shambala, G24 Bondei, [G221 Mbugu
(Bantu register)]
G30: G31
Mushungulu
(incl. Shanbara)]
G40: G41
Mwiini
]
G50: G51 Pogolo, G52 Ndamba
G60: G61
Kisi, [G651 Magoma
]

Zone H

H10: H11
Doondo, H131 Suundi
]
H20: H21a
Songo
H30: H31
Soonde
]
H40: H41
Hunganna

Zone K

K10: K11
Nkangala
K20: K21 Lozi
K30: K31
Kwandi
]
K40: K41
Totela of Namibia
]

Zone L

L10: L11
Sonde
§]
L20: L21
Lwalwa, L231 Binji
]
L30: L31a
Zeela
]
L40: L41 Kaonde
L50: L51
Luntu
]
L60: L61
Shasha
]

Zone M

M10: M11
Kuulwe
]
M20: M21
Sukwa
]
M30: M31 Nyakyusa, [M301 Ndali, M302 Penja]
M40: M41 Taabwa, M42 Bemba, [M401 Bwile, M402 Aushi]
M50: M51
Temba
]
M60: M61
Kafue Twa
]

Zone N

N10: N11
Ngoni of Malawi
§]
N20: N21
Mwera of Mbamba Bay
]
N30: N31a
Manganja
N40: N41
Sena-Malawi
]

Zone P

P10: P11
Ruihi, P13 Matumbi, P14 Ngindo, P15 Mbunga
P20: P21
Mabiha
P30: P31
Lomwe of Malawi, P341 Moniga
]

Zone R

R10: R11
Kwisi, R103 Mbali
]
R20: R21
Kolonkadhi-Eunda
]
R30: R31
Botswana Herero
]
R40: R41
Yei

Zone S

S10: S11
Ndau, S16 Kalanga
S20: S21 Venda
S30: S31a
Pulana
]
S40: S41
South Ndebele, S408 Sumayela Ndebele
]
S50: S51
Hlengwe
]
S60: S61
Lenge
]

§: These languages do not have separate articles, though they might warrant them.

2009 appendix

Besides the languages added within the existing framework above, Maho appends several creoles, pidgins, and mixed languages:

§: These languages did not have separate articles at the last review by a Wikipedia editor.

See also

References

  1. ^ Guthrie, Malcolm (1967–1971). Comparative Bantu: an introduction to the comparative linguistics and prehistory of the Bantu languages. Farnborough: Gregg Press.
  2. ^ Guthrie, Malcolm (1948). The classification of the Bantu languages. London: Oxford University Press.

External links

  • Guthrie's 1948 classification, in detail, with each language numbered
  • Maho 2009. Guthrie 1971, in detail, with subsequent additions, corrections, and corresponding ISO codes as of Ethnologue 15. Coding conventions are explained in Nurse & Philippson (2003). They are (with invented examples):
    A capital letter is added for an additional dialect of an existing language. That is, A15C would be a dialect of language A15 in addition to Guthrie's dialects A15a and A15b.
    A third digit is added for an additional language. If its closest relative can be identified, the digit is added to that code. That is, A151 would be a non-Guthrie language closest to Guthrie's A15.
    If a close relative has not been identified, the digit is added to the decade code. That is, A101 would be a language geographically in group A10, but not particularly close to any of Guthrie's A10 languages, or not known well enough to further classify.
    Pidgins and creoles are indicated by adding a capital letter to the decade code. That is, A10A would be a pidgin or creole based on a language in group A10.
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