I(caps)n Dagbani language we have words we call "Yɛltɔɣ' paŋda" (Loanwords)! Some of our words today were altered, changed or influenced by other languages due to cultural exchange. The Arabic Language has really influenced many languages like Swahili , Hausa, Mandé, and most Mabia Languages (Including Dagbani, Gurene(Fr), Mossi, Waale). Follow us, as we dive into the evolution of Dagbani Language Days of the week.
The Mandé (Mandika and Malinke) who became more powerful in the Mid-13th century by establishing the Mali Empire had more trade networks with many tribes in today's West Africa.
The Hausa people back in the 10th to 12th Century became one of the great traders of that Era! Through their trade they had contact with many Tribes across Africa. They traded Cola Nut, Gold, textiles, salt and many others. Through these trades cultures and languages were exchanged.
Prior to that, the Arabs who spread across Africa through many means including trade in the 8th Century left a lot of influence on Africa including their languages.
The Hausa people are one of the people Arabs influence more when it comes to their language and many of their words are from Arabic origin.
The Mandé people too were also influenced by Islam and the Whole Mali Empire was established under the umbrella of Islam.
Some examples of words which have Arab influence!
In Hausa, words like Askari, which means soldier or military, originate from Arabic. Interestingly, Hausa speakers also use the word Linjima to refer to soldiers.
Lafiya, meaning health or well-being, also has Arabic roots—derived from Aafiya. There are many such examples, and my Hausa people can certainly attest to this.
Dagbani, too, has absorbed words from both Hausa and Arabic. For instance, as mentioned above, a soldier in Hausa is Linjima, and in contemporary Dagbani, most people also refer to a soldier as Linjima (plural: Linjimanima).
For health and well-being in Dagbani, the term Alaafie is commonly used, which corresponds to Lafiya in Hausa and Aafiya in Arabic.
Other Hausa words like Daula (from Arabic Dawla, meaning kingdom), Duniya (world/earth), Hikaya (story/tale), Amana (trust), Ladabi (good manners), and Hukuma (government) are all derived from Arabic. Many of these words retain similar pronunciation across the languages including Dagbani and Closely related.
Days of the Week in Dagbani language, derived from Arabic/Hausa!
Sunday – Alahari
- In Arabic: الأحد (Al-Ahadi)
Due to pronunciation alterations, the "di" in Al-Ahadi became "ri".
- In Hausa: Lahadi
Monday – Atani
- In Arabic: الاثنين (Ithnayni)
The pronunciation of Ithnayni can also be Athnyni. In this case, it became Atnyni, pronounced Atani.
- In Hausa: Litini
Tuesday – Atalaata
- In Arabic: الثلاثاء (Athalaatha)
In the case of Tuesday, الثلاثاء had its form replaced, making it التلات (Atalaata).
- In Hausa: Talaata
Wednesday – Alaaba
- In Arabic: الأربعاء (Al-Arba'a)
With minimal alterations, Alaaba is also called Alariba in Dagbani and other Mabia languages.
- In Hausa: Laraba
Thursday – Alaamishi
- In Arabic: الخميس (Al-Hamis)
The pronunciation was slightly altered, but the connection remains clear.
- In Hausa: Alhamis
Friday – Alizumma
- In Arabic: الجمعة (Al-Jumu'a)
Al-Jumu'a became Al-Zumu'a, and with pronunciation shifts, it's now Alizumma.
- In Hausa: Jumma'a
Tiyumba Africa's Verdict on "Dagbon days of the week"
Many languages have loanwords from other languages, and that does not diminish their authenticity or originality. English, for example, contains countless words derived from Greek, Latin, Arabic, and more. The same applies to most West African languages, many of which have been influenced by English, Arabic, or French.
People evolve, and so do their languages. Let us embrace this evolution, but we should also make it known to our communities the origins of the loanwords we use in our everyday Dagbani language.
Gur or The Mabia languages have evolved in so many ways due to trade, migration and settlement.
#History #Africa #Language #Mabia #Dagbani #Hausa #Mandika #Swahili #Tiyumba
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