Dagbanli

Dagbanli, also spelled Dagbani or Dagomba, is a Gur language of the Niger-Congo language family spoken by the Dagomba people in northern Ghana and by diaspora communities abroad. It is one of the region’s most widely spoken languages, with several million native speakers. In Ghana it serves as a language of daily communication and is used in local media, folklore, and some educational contexts; it also functions as a lingua franca in parts of the savannah belt.

Classification and related languages: Dagbanli belongs to the Niger-Congo family, within the Gur branch, Northern group, Oti-Volta subbranch. It is part of the Dagbanli–Mampruli subgroup and is closely related to Mampruli and Nan, among others.

Writing system and phonology: The language is written in a Latin-based script using a standard orthography that includes digraphs such as gb and kp to represent certain consonants. Tone is phonemic in speech, with high and low pitch distinctions, but tone is not always marked in everyday writing.

Grammar and vocabulary: Dagbanli is generally analytic in structure, with verbs carrying aspect and mood markings and used in serial constructions. Noun phrases typically comprise a noun with modifiers, pronouns, and demonstratives; possessive and demonstrative constructions are common. The lexicon covers everyday reference, kinship terms, and cultural terms central to Dagomba life.

Sociolinguistic status: Dagbanli is widely used in education in some districts, as well as in radio, print media, and cultural ceremonies. It serves as a key vehicle for Dagomba culture, music, and storytelling. In diaspora communities in North America and Europe, speakers maintain the language in family and community networks.