Utugwang-Irungene-Afrike

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A language of Nigeria

ISO 639-3
afe
Alternate Names
Ebe Cluster, Putukwam
User Population

70,000 (2012 L. Otronyi).

Location

Benue state: Vandeika LGA; Cross River state: Bekwarra, Obudu, and Ogoja LGAs.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Cross River, Bendi
Dialects

Utugwang (Otukwang, Utugwang-iredene, Utukwang), Ukworogung (Okworogung), Ukwortung (Okorotung), Afrike (Aferike, Utumane), Ngbenege (Mgbenege), Irungene (Mbe Afal, Mbe East, Mbube East, Obe, Upper Mbe). Utugwang intelligible of all dialects. Afrike and Irungene are mutually intelligible. Lexical similarity: Irungene 89% with Afrike, 80%–86% with Utugwang sub-group; Afrike and Irungene 67%–78% with Utugwang subgroup.

Language Use

Home, village. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Bekwarra [bkv]. Also use English [eng]. Also use Nigerian Pidgin [pcm].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 10%.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Utugwang-Irungene-Afrike
Writing

Latin script [Latn], in development.

Other Comments

Utugwang, Okwortung, Okworogung, and Mgbenege accept Utugwang as a cover term. Christian, traditional religion.