Utugwang-Irungene-Afrike

A language of Nigeria

ISO 639: afe
Alternate Names: Ebe Cluster, Putukwam
Population: 70,000 (2012 L. Otronyi).
Location:: Benue state: Vandeika LGA; Cross River state: Bekwarra, Obudu, and Ogoja LGAs.
Language Status: 6a (Vigorous).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Cross River, Bendi
Dialects: Utugwang (Otukwang, Utugwang-iredene, Utukwang), Ukworogung (Okworogung), Ukwortung (Okorotung), Afrike (Aferike, Utumane), Ngbenege (Mgbenege), Irungene (Mbe Afal, Mbe East, Mbube East, Obe, Upper Mbe). Utugwang intelligible of all dialects. Afrike and Irungene are mutually intelligible. Lexical similarity: Irungene 89% with Afrike, 80%–86% with Utugwang sub-group; Afrike and Irungene 67%–78% with Utugwang subgroup.
Language Use: Home, village. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Bekwarra [bkv]. Also use English [eng]. Also use Nigerian Pidgin [pcm].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 10%.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Utugwang-Irungene-Afrike
Writing: Latin script [Latn], in development.
Other Comments: Utugwang, Okwortung, Okworogung, and Mgbenege accept Utugwang as a cover term. Christian, traditional religion.

Location: Benue state: Vandeika LGA; Cross River state: Bekwarra, Obudu, and Ogoja LGAs.