A Niger-Congo language and a non-Bantu member of the Benue-Congo family of languages, spoken by over 4 million people as a first or second language mainly in the Calabar area of south-east Nigeria (Cross River State), where it also serves as a lingua franca between various ethnic/linguistic groups.
Efik became a literary language in the 19th century, while creative writing in Efik commenced in the 1930s. The language is spelt in the Roman alphabet, although there are several indigenous scripts, e.g. the Nsibidhi script.
Tone plays a cardinal role in Efik grammar and syntax. There are two main tones, high and low.
| Dictionaries | |
| A learner's dictionary of the Efik language | EFIK DICO 1 |
| Reference | |
| Efik Language Course for G.C.E. O/Level | EFIK GRAM 1 |
| A Study of Efik for Schoools and Colleges | EFIK GRAM 2 |