MoleDagbani

Mole-Dagbani refers to a branch of the Gur languages within the Niger-Congo language family. It comprises several closely related languages spoken by the Mole-Dagbani peoples of northern Ghana, with smaller communities in neighboring countries. The best-known varieties are Dagbani (Dagomba) and Mampruli, along with dialects or closely related languages such as Nanumba. Linguists classify Mole-Dagbani languages as part of the Northern Gur sub-branch, sharing features typical of Gur languages, including tonal systems and SVO word order.

Geographic and demographic distribution: The languages are concentrated in the savanna belt of northern Ghana and adjacent areas. Dagbani speakers are numerous and Dagbani serves as a lingua franca in parts of the region, while Mampruli and Nanumba remain strong community languages. Estimates of total Mole-Dagbani speaker numbers vary; together they form a substantial regional population.

Orthography and education: Dagbani and Mampruli have developed Latin-based orthographies. They are used in local media, literature, and increasingly in education and literacy programs, alongside English, the official language of Ghana.

Cultural and historical notes: The Mole-Dagbani peoples have rich oral traditions and social structures that influence language use, including proverbs, poetry, and traditional naming practices. Interethnic contact in northern Ghana has shaped dialect variation and bilingualism with other Ghanaian languages.

See also: Dagbani, Mampruli, Dagomba. References: Ethnologue, Glottolog.