Tarifian

Tarifian is a Gbe language spoken in the Gulf of Guinea region. Specifically, it is one of the dialects spoken in the creates of Grand-Bassam, Grand-Lahou and Assinie, all located in Côte d'Ivoire. The language is part of the larger Gbe language cluster that also comprises other languages spoken in Togo, Benin, and Ghana.

Tarifian is considered an endangered language due to its limited use and exposure to other languages, possibly including French and Dioula. The majority of speakers of Tarifian are literate in other languages, which has led to the decreased importance of Tarifian in everyday life. However, efforts are being made to document the language, including conducting linguistic research, collecting oral stories and recording conversations.

In terms of grammar and syntax, Tarifian has a subject-verb-object (SVO) word order, similar to many other members of the language group. The language has a range of consonant and vowel phonemes, offering a rich sound structure. Tarifian has influences from other cultures, such as Arabic, due to historical trade and cultural interactions.

The primary social and cultural practices of Tarifian speakers include the celebration of harvest festivals and the exchange of stories during community gatherings. The language and culture also reflect the strong attention to family and kinship ties, which are critical aspects of the social fabric.