Niger-Congo

The Niger-Congo language family is one of the largest groups of languages in the world, primarily spoken across West, Central, and Southeast Africa. It includes over 1,500 languages, such as Swahili, Yoruba, and Zulu. These languages share common features in their grammar and vocabulary, suggesting they evolved from a common ancestral language. Niger-Congo languages are characterized by their use of noun class systems (groupings of nouns) and rich tone systems (pitch variations that change meaning). They play a vital role in the cultural and linguistic diversity of Africa, serving as primary means of communication for millions of people.