Kono language (Sierra Leone)

For other uses, see Kono language.
Kɔnɔ
Native toSierra Leone
RegionEast
EthnicityKono people
Native speakers
320,000 (2019)[1]
Mande
  • Western Mande
    • Central
      • Manding–Jogo
        • Manding–Vai
          • Vai–Kono
            • Kɔnɔ
Language codes
ISO 639-3kno
Glottologkono1268

The Kono language (Kɔnɔ) is a language spoken in Sierra Leone by the Kono people. The Kono District is situated in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone and contains 14 chiefdoms, each headed by a Paramount Chief. The language varies slightly between chiefdoms.

Kono distinguishes high tone and low tone on syllables:[2][3]

tone word meaning
high /kɔ́ɔ́/ 'to mature'
low /kɔ̀ɔ̀/ 'rice'

References

  1. ^ Kɔnɔ at Ethnologue (25th ed., 2022) Closed access icon
  2. ^ Roach, Peter (2001). Phonetics. Oxford. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-19-437239-8.
  3. ^ Manyeh, Morie Komba (1983). Aspects of Kono Phonology (PhD). University of Leeds. p. 152.

Sources

  • Chiefdom Map of Sierra Leone: OCHA Humanitarian Information Centre and Sierra Leone Information Service, 2001. [1].


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