Lopa consists of a pair of minor
Kainji languages
The Kainji languages are a group of about 60 related languages spoken in west-central Nigeria. They form part of the Central Nigerian (Platoid) branch of Benue–Congo.
Demographics
Four of the most widely spoken Kainji languages are Tsuvadi ( ...
of
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
. The Lopa people neighbouring the
Busa language have shifted to that language.
The two languages are Rop (Ollop) and Urcibar (Shuba). Additionally, there is a native name for both dialects as a whole: Rerang, which is unusual in West Kainji languages.
Blench (2019) lists Tsupamini as a related variety.
McGill (2012) also gives the alternate name Oleran for Lopa.
[McGill, Stuart. 2012. The Kainji languages. Ms, School of Oriental and African Studies, London, 30 August 2012.]
Dialects
The name Lopa likely comes from the name lópár (Lapar), which refers to both the Rop and the Shuba. Cover terms referring to both Urcibar and Ollop speakers are
ɔ̀ɾìɾáŋ̃ (one person),
ːɾìɾáŋ̃ (many people), and the language
lːèɾáŋ̃
*Urcibar (Shuba) is spoken in the major villages of ò̃tʃébá (Cifamini), tʷò̃tʃíɡí (Gungun Tagwaye), ò̃sán (Kwanga, different from ò̃sán above); and the minor villages of àjũ ́̃m (Yumu), àːʔʲɔ́ (Bakari), ámbú (Ambu shiri). Urcibar is actually more closely related to Shen (
Laru) than to Rop.
*Ollop (Rop) is spoken in the major villages of àɾóp (Lopa town), ù̃jẽ ́mé (Gafara), rʷáːʃé (Raishe); and the minor villages of ʔʷéːɾà (Tungan Masu), ò̃sán (Bakin Ruwa), lópár (Lapar), áñ wá ̃ (Ana). Lopa speakers call themselves
ɔ̀ɾóp(one person),
ːɾɔ́p(many people), and the language
lːɔ́p They refer to Urcibar speakers as
ɔ̀tʃíbár(one person),
ːtʃíbár(many people), and to their language as
̀ɹtʃíbár
References
{{Platoid languages
Kainji languages
Languages of Nigeria