Mmen (autonym: ) is a Grassfields Bantu language of Cameroon.
As a Centre Ring language of Narrow Grassfields, a subdivision of Wide Grassfields within the Southern Bantoid languages, Mmen is part of a cluster including six other languages i.e. Babanki, Bum, Kom, Kuk, Kung and Oku.Lewis 2009
Etymology The name Mmen () comes from the verb and is used by the speakers referring to both their language and their land.
EthnologueLewis 2009 and ALCAM, Atlas Linguistique du CameroonDieu and Renaud 1983 use the name and spelling Mmen.
Bafumen is the name of the village where the largest number of speakers is found i.e. 30 000Troyer, et al. 1995:8 and the name adopted by German colonizers for the area and formerly used for the language. Other villages where Mmen is spoken are Cha’, Yemgeh, Nyos, Ipalim among others.
Phonology Consonants Mmen has 27 phonemic consonants.
Labial Alveolar Palato-alveolar Velar Labial–velar Plosive voiceless voiced Affricate voiceless voiced Fricative voiceless voiced Nasal Lateral Approximant
Vowels Monophthongs Mmen has 9 phonemic monophthongs.
Front Central Back Close Close-mid Open-mid Open
Diphthongs Mmen also has six phonemic diphthongs, all ending in .
Front Central Back Close-mid Open-mid Open
Tone Mmen has 9 phonemic tones. There are three level tones (high, mid, and low) and six contour tones (high-low, high-mid, mid-low, mid-high, low-mid, and low-falling).
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