(IMPORTANT: *Not looking* for Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Fula, Kanuri, or Pidgin.)
We are looking for speakers of the smallest, least-known local Nigerian languages that do not have any dictionaries - the "smaller" the better (such as fewer than 10,000 speakers). You will just need to make audio recordings of a few hundred words in your language.
The purpose of this project is for academic linguistic research. We already have a large database of Nigerian languages, but some gaps remain. "Mid-size" languages such as Ibibio and Tiv are mostly well-covered and not needed.
No need to send a long cover letter. Just tell us what language you can speak.
LANGUAGES: Particularly high on our priority list are the least-known Platoid, Bantoid, Chadic, and Cross River languages. Nigeria has over 500 languages, see [login to view URL]
Examples of languages we are interested in (this is not a complete list): Ayu, Cara, Hõne, Ilue, Jimi, Centúúm, Gurmana, Guruntum-Mbaaru, Hya, Iyive, Jiba, Kiong, Labir, Lufu, Ngwaba, Shiki, Siri, Akum, Bete, Bure, Dulbu, Gwamhi-Wuri, Gyem, Izora, Jilbe, Kudu-Camo, Njerep, Odut, Putai, Sambe, Sheni, Somyev, Yangkam
NOT INCLUDING: Note that we are NOT looking for speakers of large, well-known regional languages like Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Fula, Kanuri, Ibibio, Efik, Edo, Tiv, or Pidgin.
LOCATIONS: Central and eastern Nigeria. Natives of Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, Bauchi, Plateau, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, Nassarawa, Kogi, Benue, Taraba, Cross River states and nearby locations only.
Also more than welcome: Cameroon and Chad.
Thank you for your interest!