Zeem, or Chaari, is an endangered Chadic dialect cluster of Nigeria, whose speakers are shifting to Hausa. Dyarim is closely related.
The Zeem language is spoken in Toro LGA, Bauchi State. The Tulai and Danshe dialects are no longer spoken. It is also called Chaari, Dokshi, Dyarum, Kaiwari, Kaiyorawa, Lukshi, and Lushi.OLAC resources in and about the Zeem language
Dyarim had been influenced by Beromic languages during a time when Beromic was more widespread.Blench, Roger. 2005. The Dyarim language of Central Nigeria and its affinities.
Varieties Zeem-Caari-Danshe-Dyarim cluster varieties listed by Blench (2019):
Zeem (extinct) Tule (or Tulai, extinct) Danshe Chaari Dyarim Dokshi (Lukshi, Lushi) Jimi
Blench reports in 2019 that only 3 very elderly speakers of the Dokshi (or LukshiBlench, Roger. 2020. The South Bauchi languages of Central Nigeria: a fresh view based on recent fieldwork. CALL 50. Leiden University, August 31, 2020.) language remain in the village of Lukshi, Bauchi State.
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