Yoruboid

Yoruboid is a term used in linguistics to refer to a subgroup of the larger Niger-Congo language family. This classification encompasses languages spoken primarily by the Yoruba people and related ethnic groups in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The term "Yoruboid" is not a native term but rather a linguistic construct for organizational purposes.

The Yoruboid languages share significant commonalities in their phonology, morphology, and lexicon, suggesting a common ancestral proto-language. The most prominent member of this group is the Yoruba language itself, which is spoken by millions of people and has a rich literary and cultural tradition. Other languages sometimes grouped under the Yoruboid umbrella, though their exact classification can be debated among linguists, include Igala and possibly others in the broader Volta-Niger branch of Niger-Congo.

Linguistic research on Yoruboid languages focuses on understanding their internal relationships, historical development, and unique linguistic features. These features often include tonal systems, verb serialization, and specific noun class systems. The study of Yoruboid languages is crucial for reconstructing the history of the Niger-Congo family and understanding the ethnolinguistic history of West Africa. While the term "Yoruboid" is primarily academic, it serves to highlight the close linguistic ties between these West African languages.