Dagbani (Dagbanli)

Dagbani is member of the Gur branch of Niger-Congo languages. It is spoken mainly in northern Ghana by about 1.1 million people, particularly in the Kingdom of Dagbon in the Northern, Upper West, Upper East, Savannah and North East regions. It is closely related to, and mutually intelligible with, Mossi, which is spoken mainly in Burkina-Faso. Dagbani is also known as Dagbamba, Dagbane or Dagbanle, and is spoken by people who call themselves Dagomba or Dagbamba.

Dagbani is taught in primary and secondary schools, and there are radio programmes in the language.

Dagbani alphabet and pronunciation

Hear the Dagbani alphabet (Dagban bachi):

Download an alphabet chart for Dagbani (Excel)

Details of the Archi alphabet provided by Wolfram Siegel

Sample text

Sal' la sala. Bɛhig' be sokam sanimi, din pa la amii. Suhizɔbo be sokam sani; ka nambɔxu beni. Suhubɔhibo mi bi lan kɔŋ yigunaadam kam sani. Dinzuxu dimbɔŋɔ zaa wuhiya ka dama di tu kamaata ka ti zaa yu tab' hali ni ti puuni.

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Sample video in Dagbani

Information about Dagbani | Numbers

Links

Information about the Dagbani language and people
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagbani_language
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/dag
https://learndagbani.org/course/learn-dagbani/lessons/whats-the-dagbani-language/
https://yen.com.gh/133473-dagbani-basic-phrases-interesting-facts.html

Dagbani dictionaries
http://glosbe.com/en/dag/
http://www.rogerblench.info/Language/Niger-Congo/Gur/Dagbani%20dictionary%20CD.pdf

Gur languages

Berba, Birifor (Northern), Birifor (Southern), Dagaare, Dagbani, Frafra, Gourmanchéma, Hanga, Kabiye, Kasem, Konkomba, Kulango, Kusaal, Láá Láá Bwamu, Mampruli, Mbelime, Moba, Mossi, Nateni, Ngangam, Ntcham, Paasaal, Safaliba, Sisaali, Tammari, Tem, Tumulung Sisaala, Turka, Waama, Western Sisaala

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page last modified: 23.01.23

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