# Bube language

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Bantu or Bantoid language of Equatorial Guinea

"Bubi language" redirects here. For the other Gabonese language called Bubi, see [Vove language](/source/Vove_language). For the Bubi dialect of Kele, see [Kele language (Gabon)](/source/Kele_language_(Gabon)).

"Bubia language" redirects here. For the Bantu language of Cameroon, see [Wumboko-Bubia language](/source/Wumboko-Bubia_language).

Bube Idioma Bubé Bubi, Bohobé, Bube–Benga, Bobe Native to Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Cameroon Region Bioko Island,[1] Río Muni (only spoken by minority) Ethnicity Bubi, Wovea Native speakers 51,000 (2011)[2] Language family Niger–Congo? Atlantic–Congo Volta–Congo Benue–Congo Bantoid Southern Bantoid Bantu Mbam–Bube Bube Early form Pre-Bube Official status Recognised minority language in Equatorial Guinea Bioko Island Language codes ISO 639-3 bvb – inclusive code Individual code: bbx – Bubia (Wovea) Glottolog bube1242 Guthrie code A.31, A.221[3] ELP Bubia Lenguas de Guinea Ecuatorial (Bube (pink)

The **Bube language** or **Bubi**, **Bohobé**, **Bube–Benga** or **Etyö**[4] is a [Bantu language](/source/Bantu_language) spoken predominantly by the [Bubi](/source/Bubi_people), a [Bantu people](/source/Bantu_people) native to, and once the primary inhabitants of [Bioko Island](/source/Bioko_Island) in [Equatorial Guinea](/source/Equatorial_Guinea). The language was brought to Bioko from continental Africa more than three thousand years ago when the [Bubi](/source/Bubi_people) began settling on the island.[5]

It has around 50,000 speakers, with three variants: North, South and Central-East. It is noted for its [tonal](/source/Tone_(linguistics)) character and the divergence of words by gender. The language is also spoken by the Bubi native to [Gabon](/source/Gabon) and [Cameroon](/source/Cameroon).

The Bube language is divided into six different dialects that vary in the northern and southern regions of Bioko Island. For example, in the North, people speak *Rebola* and its variations: *Basile*, *Banapa* and *Basupa*. However, in the North-East, *Bakake* is spoken.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Bube is also spoken in a small area on the mainland closest to the island, where speakers are shifting to [Wumboko](/source/Wumboko_language).[6] This has been reported as "Bube", "Bubia" or "Wovea" (see [Wovea people](/source/Wovea_people)).

The first works on the Bube language were those of the Baptist missionary [John Clarke](/source/John_Clarke_(Baptist_missionary)), published in 1846 and 1848.[7] A later Bube-to-English [primer](/source/Primer_(textbook)) was authored in 1875 by [William Barleycorn](/source/William_Barleycorn), a colonial era [Primitive Methodist](/source/Primitive_Methodist) [missionary](/source/Missionary) of [Igbo](/source/Igbo_people) and [Fernandino](/source/Fernandino_peoples) descent, while he was serving in the Bubi village of [Basupu](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Basupu&action=edit&redlink=1). An official language dictionary and grammar guide was published by the ethnic Bubi scholar [Justo Bolekia Boleká](/source/Justo_Bolekia_Bolek%C3%A1).

## Other names

Other names and forms of the name include Bubé, eVoové, eBubée, Bhubhi, Bubi, Ibubi, Ibhubhi, Pove and Eviia.

## Phonology

### Vowels

Bube has 7 vowels that can be either short or long:

Vowel phonemes Front Back Close i iː (ĩ) u uː (ũ) Close-mid e eː (ẽ) o oː (õ) Open-mid ɛ ɛː (ɛ̃) ɔ ɔː (ɔ̃) Open a aː (ã)

The [nasal](/source/Nasalization) vowels are [allophones](/source/Allophone) of respective oral vowels.

### Consonants

Bube has 29 consonants. Some of them are [prenasalized](/source/Prenasalized_consonant):

Consonant Phonemes Labial Dental/ Alveolar Palatal Velar Glottal Nasal voiceless m̥ n̥ voiced m n ɲ Stop plain voiceless p t c k ʔ voiced b d ɟ ɡ prenasal voiceless ᵐp ⁿt ᶮc voiced ᵐb ⁿd ᶮɟ Fricative voiceless f s h voiced v prenasal ⁿs Approximant l j w Rhotic r

## Numbers

The numbers one through ten in Bube are as follows:[8]

- Number Northern Bube Northwestern Bube Southern Bube 1 buule muule 2 eppa memba 3 betta metta 4 yeele myeeme 5 betto metto 6 ra'a 6 metto na muule 5+1 7 ra'a la buule 6+1 metto na memba 5+2 8 yeele ketoppa 4x2 ra'a la eppa 6+2 metto na metta 5+3 9 yeele ketoppa la buule 4x2+1 baa buule ka yo 10-1 metto na myeene 5+4 10 yo myo

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [EquatorialGuinea.org; Retrieved 12/08/1998](https://web.archive.org/web/19990903061913/http://www.equatorialguinea.org/event1390/event_show.htm?doc_id=2715)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-e18_2-0)** [Bube](https://www.ethnologue.com/18/language/bvb/) at *[Ethnologue](/source/Ethnologue)* (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required) [Bubia (Wovea)](https://www.ethnologue.com/18/language/bbx/) at *[Ethnologue](/source/Ethnologue)* (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Guthrie_3-0)** Jouni Filip Maho, 2009. [New Updated Guthrie List Online](https://web.archive.org/web/20180203191542/http://goto.glocalnet.net/mahopapers/nuglonline.pdf)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Etyo Language](https://abobe.org/learn-etyo/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [EquatorialGuinea.org; Retrieved 12/08/1998](https://web.archive.org/web/19990903061913/http://www.equatorialguinea.org/event1390/event_show.htm?doc_id=2715)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Harald Hammarström (2013) *Review of the Ethnologue, 16th Ed.*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** See Bibliography.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** C. Junyent, *Las lenguas del mundo*, p. 66

## Bibliography

- Biddulph, Joseph, Fernandian (1988). *The Bubi Bantu language of Bioco/Fernando Po*. Pontypridd, Wales: Languages Information Centre, WorldCat no. 17838738.

- Bolekia, Justo Bolekia (1991). Curso de lengua bubi. (Coleccion ensayos, 8.) Malabo: Centro Cultural Hispano-Guineano.

- Bolekia, Justo (2009). Diccionario español-bubi. Madrid: Ediciones AKAL. 544pp.

- Clarke, John (1846). [*Sentences in the Fernandian Tongue*](https://books.google.com/books?id=JI_ftwAACAAJ). Dunfermline Press, Bimbia.

- Clarke, John (1848). [*Introduction To The Fernandian Tongue*, Part 1.](https://books.google.com/books?id=7zIEAAAAQAAJ) Berwick-on-Tweed.

## External links

v t e Languages of Equatorial Guinea Official languages Spanish French Portuguese Indigenous languages Batanga Benga Bube Fang Gyele Kombe Kwasio Lengue Seki Yasa Creole languages Annobonese Migrant languages English Igbo

v t e Languages of Gabon Official language French (Standard) National languages Fang Indigenous languages Baka Barama Bekwel Benga Bube Bwisi Duma Kande Kaningi Kili iKota Lumbu Mahongwe Mbama Mbangwe Mbere Myene (several dialects) Ndasa Ndumu Ngom Njebi Pinji Punu Sake Sangu Seki Sighu Simba Sira Northern Teke Western Teke Tsaangi Tsogo Vili Vumbu Wandji Wumbvu Yasa

v t e Languages of Cameroon Official languages French English Major languages Bamum Bulu Duala Ewondo Fulfulde Kom Lamnso Medumba Pidgins Cameroonian Pidgin English Camfranglais Ewondo Populaire Arabic Indigenous and Immigrant languages Chadian Arabic Afade Aghem Babanki Bafaw-Balong Bafia Baka Baldemu Bamali Bambalang Bana Bangolan Bankon Bata Bati Batu Bebele Bebil Beti Bikya Bishuo Bitare Bomwali Bonkeng Bube Bung Buwal Byep Caka Ceve Chamba Leko Cuvok Daba Dowayo Ɗugwor Duli Eman Esimbi Eton Evant Faʼ Fang Fanji Feʼfeʼ Fut Gawar Ghomalaʼ Gidar Glavda Gude Gunu Gvoko Hausa Hdi Hijuk Hina Hya Ipulo Iyive Jimi Jina Kaalong Kako Kali Kanuri Kare Kasabe Kera Ki Kogo Kol Koma Kpwe Kuo Kutin Kwaʼ Kwakum Kwasio Laʼbi Lagwan Limba Limbum Luo Maɗa Mafa Majera Makaa Malgbe Manenguba Mangbai Manza Maslam Massa Matal Mazagway Mbəʼ Mboa Mbudum Mbuko Mbule Mbum Mefele Məgaka Mengisa Menyam Merey Mesaka Mfumte Mofu-Gudur Moloko Mono Mpade Mpumpong Mser Mundang Mungaka Musgu Muyang Nagumi Ndaʼndaʼ Ndai Nen Ngaʼka Ngambay Ngiemboon Ngomba Ngombale Ngwe Nimbari Njem Njerep Nkongho Noho Noni North Giziga North Mofu Northwest Gbaya Nyokon Nyong Nzakambay Nzanyi Nzime Oblo Oroko Pam Papia Parkwa Pinyin Pol Pongo Psikyɛ Rombi Sharwa South Giziga Suwu Swo Tibea Tikar To Tsuvan Tupuri Vame Vemgo-Mabas Vengo Vere Voko Wom Wuzlam Yamba Yambe Yasa Yedina Yemba Yeni Zizilivakan Zulgo-Gemzek Zumaya Sign languages Francophone African Sign Language Maroua Sign Language See also: General Alphabet of Cameroon Languages

v t e Mbam languages Sanaga Leti Tuki West Bati Nomaande Nyokon Tunen Tuotomb Yambeta Yambasa Elip Mmaala Mbule Nubaca Nugunu Yangben Jarawan Bile Damlanci Dulbu Gwa Jarawa Kulung Labir Lame Mama Mbula-Bwazza Shiki Other Bube

v t e Narrow Bantu languages (Zones A–B) (by Guthrie classification) Zone A A10 A11[101] Londo A12[101] Barue A13 Balong A14 Bonkeng A15 Mbo [A141 Bafo A151 Nkongho A20 A21 Bomboko A22 Baakpe A23 Su A24 Duala A25 Oli A26 Pongo A27 Mulimba [A221 Bubia A231 Kole A30 A31a North Bobe A31b Southwest Bobe A31c Southeast Bobe A32a Banoo A32b Bapoko A33a Yasa A33b Kombe A34 Benga A40 A41 Lombi A42 Bankon A43a Mbene A43b North Kogo A43c South Kogo A44 Banen A45 Nyokon A46 Mandi [A441 Aling'a A461 Bonek A462 Yambeta A50 A51 Fa’ A52 Kaalong A53 Kpa A54 Ngayaba [A501 Hijuk A60 A61[601] Ngoro A62 Yambasa A63 Mangisa A64[601] Bacenga A65 Bati [A621 Baca A622 Gunu A623 Mbule A70 A71 Eton A72a Ewondo A72b Mvele A72c Bakja A72d Yangafek A73a Bëbëlë A73b Gbïgbïl A74 Bulu A75 Fang [A751 South-West Fang A80 A81 Mvumbo A82 So A83 Makaa A84 Njem A85a Konabem A85b Bekwil A86a Medjime A86b Mpompo A86c Mpiemo A87 Bomwali [A801 Gyele A802 Ukwedjo A803 Shiwe A831 Byep A832 Bekol A841 Bajue A842 Koonzime A90 A91 Kwakum A92a Pol A92b Pomo A93 Kako Zone B B10 B11a Mpongwe B11b Rongo B11c Galwa B11d Dyumba B11e Nkomi B20 B21 Sekiyani B22a West Kele B22b Ngom B22c Bubi B23 Mbangwe B24 Wumbvu B25 Kota [B201 Ndasa B202 Sighu B203 Sama B204 Ndambomo B205 Metombola B221 Molengue B251 Shake B252 Mahongwe B30 B31 Tsogo B32 Kande [B301 Viya B302 Himbaka B303 Bongwe B304 Pinzi B305 Vove B40 B41 Sira B42 Sangu B43 Punu B44 Lumbu [B401 Bwisi B402 Varama B403 Vungu B404 Ngubi B411 Bwali B50 B51 Duma B52 Nzebi B53 Tsaangi [B501 Wanzi B502 Mwele B503 Vili B60 B61 Mbete B62 Mbaama B63 Nduumo [B602 Kaning'i B603 Yangho (spurious) B70 B71a Tege-Kali B71b Njiningi B72a Ngungwele B72b Mpumpu B73a Tsaayi B73b Laali B73c Yaa B73d Kwe B74a Ndzindziu B74b Boma B75 Bali B76a Musieno B76b Ngee B77a Kukwa B77b Fumu B78 Wuumu [B701 Tsitsege B80 B81 Tiene B82 Boma B83 Mfinu B84a[84] Mpuon B84b[84] Mpuun B85a Mbiem B85b East Yans B85c Yeei B85d Ntsuo B85e Mpur B86 Di B87[84] Mbuun [B821 Mpe B822 Nunu B861 Ngul (Ngwi) B862 Lwel B863 Mpiin B864 West Ngongo B865 Nzadi Italics indicate extinct languages. Languages between parentheses are varieties of the language on their left. The Guthrie classification is geographic and its groupings do not imply a relationship between the languages within them. Narrow Bantu languages by Guthrie classification zone templates Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones A–B) Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones C–D) Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones E–H) Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones J–M) Template:Narrow Bantu languages (Zones N–S)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bube language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bube_language) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bube_language?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.