Pe, also spelled Pai or Pye,A Sociolinguistic Profile of the Pye (Pe) [pai] Language of Plateau State, Nigeria. is a minor Plateau language of southeastern Plateau State, Nigeria. It is classified as a Tarokoid language by Roger Blench (2023).
In 2019, Blench observed that Pe was being spoken by all generations, including children.
Names Pai is the Hausa pronunciation of Pe. Dalong is a pejorative name for Pe that is used by the Angas.Blench, Roger. 2023. The Pe language of Central Nigeria and its affinities. Cambridge: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.
Geographical distribution Pe villages are located southeast of Pankshin town. Tal and Tarok are spoken to the east, and Teel (also called Montol) is spoken to the south. As a result, many adults also speak those languages. Ngas is spoken by almost all adults as well. Blench (2004) listed Dok (Dokpai) (main village), Tipap Kwi, Tipap Re, Bwer, Kup (=Tiniŋ), Ban, Kwasam, and Kamcik. Other villages, listed in CAPRO (2004),CAPRO. 2004. A harvest of Peace. An ethnic survey of Plateau State. Jos: CAPRO Research Office. which Blench considers to be unconfirmed, are Yong, Jak, Bil, Bwai, Wopti, Kanchi, and Yuwan.Blench, Roger. 2004. Tarok and related languages of east-central Nigeria.
Phonology Pe has six vowels: /i, e, a, ə, o, u/. The language also has diphthongs.
References
Further reading A Sociolinguistic Profile of the Pye (Pe) [pai] Language of Plateau State, Nigeria