Bambukic languages

The Bambukic a.k.a. Trans-Benue or Yungur–Jen languages form a proposed branch of the provisional Savanna languages, a reduced form of the Waja–Jen branch of the old Adamawa languages family (G7, G9, G10). They are spoken in north eastern Nigeria. Their unity is not accepted by Güldemann (2018).^[1]

Bambukic
Yungur–Jen, Trans-Benue
Geographic distribution	eastern Nigeria
Linguistic classification	Niger–Congo? Atlantic–Congo Savannas Bambukic
Subdivisions	Bikwin–Jen Bena–Mboi (Yungur) Longuda
Language codes
ISO 639-3	–
Glottolog	None waja1258  (Waja–Jen)

Bennett (1983) had also proposed a Trans-Benue group consisting of the Burak-Jen (i.e., Bikwin-Jen), Yungur (i.e., Bena-Mboi), and Tula-Longuda subgroups.^[2]

Languages

Blench (2006) groups the Yungur (G7), Bikwin–Jen (G9), and Longuda (G10) languages together within part of a larger Gur–Adamawa language continuum.^[3]

• Bikwin–Jen
  • Jen: Dza (Jen), Mingang Doso, Tha, Joole
  • Bikwin: Burak–Loo, Mághdì, Mak, Moo (Gomu) – Leelau (Bikwin) – Kyak (Bambuka)
• Longuda
• Yungur (Bəna–Mboi)
  • Kaan (Libo)
  • Mboi (Gəna, Banga, Handa)
  • Yungur–Roba: Lala-Roba, Voro, Bəna

Kleinewillinghöfer (1996) notes the affinities of the Bikwin languages, which were unknown to Greenberg, with the Jen languages. Subclassification follows Blench (2004).^[4]

The Waja languages were once thought to belong to this group, but are now placed with the Kam language. (See Adamawa languages.)