Dialectal Variation in Kanuri Spoken in Borno and Yobe States: A Comparative Study

This study presents a comparative analysis of dialectal variation in the Kanuri language as spoken in selected communities in Borno and Yobe States, North East Nigeria. Kanuri is a Nilo-Saharan language spoken by a significant portion of the population in the Lake Chad basin, yet its internal dialectal diversity has been the subject of limited linguistic investigation in recent years, particularly in the context of post-conflict community displacement in the region. The study adopts a descriptive dialectological methodology, using elicitation wordlists, phonological mapping, and recorded speech data gathered from 60 informants, 30 from each state, selected through community elder referral. The analysis focuses on phonological, lexical, and morphological differences between the Yerwa (Borno) and Fika (Yobe) dialect clusters. Findings reveal systematic differences in vowel quality, verb morphology, and vocabulary for domestic and ecological concepts, reflecting historical divergence reinforced by administrative separation and differential contact with surrounding languages. The study also notes the impact of ongoing conflict-induced displacement on dialect contact and convergence in internally displaced persons settlement contexts. The research contributes to the dialectological documentation of Kanuri and recommends formal government investment in its recording and preservation. Keywords: Kanuri, dialectal variation, Borno State, Yobe State, dialectology.