The subclassification of Songhay and its historical implications

A groundbreaking cladistic analysis reveals that Northern Songhay languages, including those spoken around Timbuktu and Djenné, form distinct subfamilies with shared innovations. This finding suggests a historical spread from either an oasis northeast of Gao or the Timbuktu region, challenging previous assumptions about linguistic diffusion in West Africa. The study also indicates early contact between Proto-Northwestern Songhay and Berber/Arabic, while Proto-Songhay likely interacted with Gur languages, hinting at its southerly origins. Fieldwork is proposed to resolve competing hypotheses about the language's expansion.

Souag, L. (2012). The subclassification of Songhay and its historical implications. Journal of African Languages and Linguistics, 33(2). https://doi.org/10.1515/jall-2012-0008