A studies on comparative linguistics: Comparing Hausa and Gera sounds in northern Nigeria

Abstract

This paper compared the sounds of Hausa and Gera, who both belong to the Chadic family. Hausa has 31 consonants while Gera has 37. There are 23 consonants shared by both Hausa and Gera. There are 14 Gera consonants not existing in Hausa and there are 9 Hausa consonants not existing among the Gera sounds. Hausa has 5 long and short vowels while Gera have 3 long and 2 short vowels, and an additional vowel, the schwa. Hausa has 2 diphthongs while Gera has 8.