Check the latest news at: www.silcam.org AAnnualnnual ReportReport Working Together

The 280+ languages in are a true gold 20 12 in Language mine, a rich expression of cultures that knit together the social fabric of Cameroon. Instead of ignoring Development them and trying to base development in a language and culture that is foreign, it is possible to use lo- cal languages as a bridge. As a child appreciates his culture, masters his mother tongue and is se- cure in his identity, he will succeed in fi nding his way through the global world. He will learn inter- national languages, but he won't forget where he comes from. His roots will be an inspiration for all activities leading to a development adapted to the local reality. 3 Bureau Régional du Grand Nord

B.P. 200 Maroua Région de l’Extrême-Nord

Siège / Administrative Offices et.org - (237) 22.30.65.3 Tél. : +237 77.50.04.25 n B.P. 1299 Bamenda Regional Office Yaoundé P.O. Box 5025 Région du Centre Bamenda-Nkwen Tél. : +237 77.50.09.87 North West Region +237 77.50.04.27 Tel.: +237 77.50.02.33

E-mail: [email protected] By CAPS: [email protected] - (237) 22.30.65.33 Administration in A Word from the General Director Cameroon as of education, and sociocultural development. All these December 2012: actions were enabled by the interest and strong General Director: Together, we can! Nelis van den Berg support of the Cameroonian government. Their Bert Visser involvement and interest in language development Director of Administration projects deserve to be appreciated. and Finance: David P. Anderson We know we are serving a just and noble cause Personnel Director: in developing languages and it has been a recurrent Joe Rider theme mentioned in all our annual reports. To Director of Language strengthen this objective, SIL desires to improve in Services: creating opportunities for Cameroonians to practice Lawrence M. Seguin their new linguistics skills in an environment adapted Director Bamenda Region: to their specific needs. SIL is determined to continue Ria Hedinger

his slogan is not just an alignment of meaningless words, but we believe it is the way forward in T the dynamic of mother-tongue development in Cameroon. The African proverb "One hand cannot tie a bundle!” implies the importance of the association of a large number of key actors in language development projects. This is why it has always been our priority to develop new partnerships.

Since its installation in Cameroon in 1969, SIL has Executive Committee: built fruitful partnerships with many organisations, for to help linguistic communities to be better equipped to efficiently lead all their language development Chairman: example, with the Federal University of Cameroon, with Ray Kapteyn work. which we worked to train a new generation of linguists, Vice-chairs: who contributed to the research and development of Another challenge in this fast changing world George Shultz Chris Jackson many languages. In the same line, the recent partnership is the dynamic of communication. Its objective is agreement signed with Plan Cameroon will enable us to to inform more and more about our vision and our improve development through multilingual education in priorities in terms of objectives, to help the interest in a minority people group, the Baka people from the East mother tongue development grow around us. We will Region, thus allowing for positive changes in the lives of take on this challenge in 2013, a year in which we are their children. looking forward to work TOGETHER even more!

Likewise, through increasing public awareness and Bert Visser mobilisation, SIL continued working to involve the linguistic General Director, SIL Cameroon communities of Cameroon, key actors in the development of the mother-tongue. We facilitated access to Scripture, 2 3 Introduction Training

Inside SIL Making it possible for others

SIL focuses on languages that are yet unwritten. During the primer-making workshop held in People who speak these languages often live in May 2012 in Yaoundé, for the Ngomba, Tunen and geographic, social, and economic isolation. Studying Yambeta languages, Mama Odile, a Ngomba speaker these languages results in practical help for local people read a portion of the Gospel of Luke in her mother and contributes to the broader knowledge of linguistics, tongue during a devotion. Then thinking that she anthropology, multilingual education and ethnomusicology. was talking alone, she stopped. As she stopped, SIL publishes its research and widely distributes it to a voice urged "Go on! Go On!" It was her Ngomba libraries, universities, governments, and international colleague, Jean-Pierre. He was caught up in Luke's agencies. account as he could hear Luke talking in his own As a leader in the research of the world’s endangered language. "That was good, so good!" he said. languages through language survey, SIL facilitates The stunning impact the Ngomba reading had In the chart language development to prevent the extinction of on Jean-Pierre made us all laugh - the laughter of on the left, language and culture. the number of fresh insight! Aha! – indeed, what could be better than participants Present in Cameroon since 1969, SIL’s staff shares hearing the Word in one's heart language? And what a Christian commitment to service, academic excellence, is the actual more worthwhile contribution to making that possible number of and professional engagement through literacy, linguistics, for others than crafting sound primer lessons? It made people who translation, and other academic disciplines. SIL makes its for a heartening start to another day in the company of attended services available to all without regard to religious belief, progress charts, syllable boxes and grammar drills…. a given political ideology, gender, race, or ethnic background. category of course or 5 in workshop. 5 in Literacy Translation The number 3 in of languages, Including programme Including however, Linguistics management, practical writing, 1 in Multi- translation Including text transcription, teacher training and production cultural principles and 3 in 6 in includes those Courses/ analysis of nouns and noun of HIV-AIDS brochures, primers, seminars for high- that may phrases, and dictionary reading & writing books, calendars Team Scripture Computer Workshops level translation have been publication preparation & agendas Training consultants Use Training represented in more than Language groups represented ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? one course or workshop. Participants ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? 4 5 Translation is an area of applied Linguistics Translation linguistics in which SIL assists Cameroonians to address A Well-laid Foundation What makes a text successful? their need for translated documents. Proper Why would a mother settings is a huge challenge, Linguistic research is like the foundation of a translation tongue translator feel a need and one tool to help us requires careful house. Any type of language development depends to analyse a language he understand the similarities and analysis of the on a solid foundation. Whether language development can speak and understand differences between them is meaning of consists of literacy, or publishing health booklets, very well? There are several to analyse what makes a text words, sentences and discourse or even the translation of the biblical texts, the final reasons that could be successful. This is what we mentioned that are peculiar call Discourse Analysis. What structures used structure depends on a well-laid foundation. in the source to the task of translating. we find in English or . Then Twelve language communities in the North West The task of translating requires might trick us into supposing it is necessary Region are working together to lay just such a foundation. moving from one system of that the way English or French to examine organising and expressing the works is the same for any other the syntactic, realities of this world to another language. An example of this is semantic and system whose categories how relative clauses are used. discourse and expressions can be very Many languages have them structures of the receptor different. Each language in but each one chooses when . A good itself presents an intricate use them, in this grammatical translation often network of interdependent situation but not another one, requires the cultural phenomena, reflecting at this point in the development rearrangement the beauty, variety and of the text but not another one, of the elements orderliness of the Creator God for this kind of information but within each of the universe. The complexity not another kind. This proved statement in of how two different languages so compelling and interesting order to produce communicate in their cultural to one translator; he decided

They are studying the grammar of their languages in two cluster projects, the and Ndop clusters. Both of these projects are conducting the Foundations for Grammar series of workshops developed by SIL Cameroon. The goal is to train local men and women to learn about the grammar of their language, and to use this knowledge in their literacy and translation work. A unique factor in these particular workshops is that they are being held at the local level. The scientific study of these grammars has specific applied results: refining how words are written, defining word boundaries, and shedding light on other difficult aspects of a clear, accurate to devote his university studies I begin my studies there!" David and natural orthography design and use. Together we are working for to understanding these things wants to see his language translation. language development through solid foundations. better. "Now I know what I want better analysed and better used 8 to study at the university when in all situations. 7 Focus Nationalities of SIL Cameroon Languages: a development tool Personnel Australia Bahamas “Mother tongue The impressive number of languages spoken on the meaning, the objectives, and the role that he is called to Cameroon languages, along with Cameroonian soil, the fact that they belong to different play. Canada linguistic diversity, linguistic groups and the presence of several Indo-European Talking about development, in each community it is Costa Rica matter for the identity languages is what makes Cameroon an atypical country in the important to create the willingness and the know-how that of individuals. They are Finland African context. This multiplicity of languages is perceived as will enable them to achieve the adopted projects. The also important for the Ireland an obstacle to development by some, and by others as a real development agent needs to be understood clearly, thus the health of societies, as treasure–a rich expression of cultures that make up the social need to express himself in the language that is mastered Peru sources of creativity fabric of Cameroon. by the community. Language is for all human beings, an Sweden and vehicles for A question we need to ask ourselves is “What can the essential tool for acquisition and assimilation of knowledge, cultural expression. Switzerland mother tongue bring to development in Cameroon?” Many of know-how, norms and all cultural elements accessible in Languages are factors The Netherlands testimonies of the people working in the field of economics the linguistic community. Clear and profound communication for development and between all the development partners is a key condition in this The United growth. We know how vital enterprise. This is why, the language of communication Kingdom important education between the population and the agent, cannot be limited to the The United States in the mother tongue of America is to obtain good results in the learning process. Mother tongue instruction is a powerful way to fight discrimination and reach out to marginalised populations. As an endless source of knowledge, languages are a starting point for greater sustainability SIL International attest strongly that development, before being a question of oral form. The written form need to be mastered so that the Administration: in development, information will be available in a permanent form. for managing more money and machines, is first of all about men and women President: Unfortunately, the strong presence of foreign languages John Watters harmoniously our and their desires, their willingness, their knowledge and in development projects marginalises the large majority of relationship with the know-how, their capacity to organize themselves, to remain Executive Director: Cameroonians, who only speak the mother tongue. In SIL Freddy Boswell environment and disciplined and other cultural assets. we believe that it is essential to include all languages in an change”. If it is true that human progress depends on the collective Francophone Africa efforts of community members, then all kinds of development equitable way for greater participation of all in the efforts of Area Director: Mrs Irina Bokova, national development. Nelis van den General Director need to look for their participation. It is easy to demonstrate Berg 8 UNESCO that nobody can work for progress without understanding 9 Literacy Towards Achieving Universal Primary Education SIL Equatorial Guinea

inguists from Equatorial Guinea, ingüistas ecuato-guineanos, en Falling in line with the Millennium Development Goals, which There is an working with the SIL team in colaboración con el equipo SIL- state that by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, CICTE de Guinea y Camerún, ongoing part- able to complete a full course of primary schooling, SIL promotes L L nership bet- multilingual education (MLE) in order to see each Cameroonian child successfully completed eight training cumplieron con éxito ocho asignaturas ween SIL and educated or attending school, especially those in an academically courses in 2012. Their languages are de formación durante 2012. Sus len- Plan Cameroon disadvantaged environment. all cross-border or closely related to guas son relacionadas o tras-fronteri- to implement Today, MLE is supported by SIL in different communities with . They were zas con lenguas de Camerún. Fueron an MLE project many devoted volunteers who are dedicating their lives to it. SIL’s strongly supported by a growing team apoyados por un equipo creciente de among the efforts are aligned with today's government policy, which encourages of SIL linguists from Latin America lingüistas SIL latino-americanos invita- Baka children each Cameroonian to develop and to promote his own culture; and, invited by the E.G. Council of Scientific dos por el Consejo de Investigaciones of course, languages are an essential part of that. This policy also and Technological Research (CICTE) Científicas y Tecnológicas (CICTE) in the East stipulates that all children should be attending school. SIL is working and by the Christian Association of y por la Asociación Cristiana de Region of Bible Translation (ACTB). Traducciones Bíblicas (ACTB). Cameroon. Through this effort, Baka children will not only be equipped with knowledge, but also with qua- lity education in their own Related Cameroon Course E.G. language mother ton- language gue. This will Introduction to computers Fang, Kombe, Bisio, Pidgin, Fang, Iyasa, Kwasio, Pidgin, make them real Basek Bakoko actors for the hand in hand with the government and other partners to make this a development of reality in all parts of the country. Methods of translation I Fang, Kombe, Bisio, Pidgin Fang, Iyasa, Kwasio, Pidgin the nation. Today, it is already possible to learn to read and to write in your Methods of translation II Fang, Kombe, Bisio, Pidgin Fang, Iyasa, Kwasio, Pidgin mother tongue, in town or in the village. We want to affirm here that Methods of translation III Fang, Kombe, Bisio, Pidgin Fang, Iyasa, Kwasio, Pidgin this should be the preoccupation of each one of us. If you want to learn your language, contact us at SIL (see the address on the back Discourse analysis Bisio Kwasio of this report), and we will put you in contact with someone who can Methods of translation I Basek Bakoko help you. If that is not an option for you, take the commitment to be Methods of translation II Basek Bakoko the link through which your community can become literate. Methods of translation III Basek Bakoko 10 11 SIL Cameroon Bibliography in 2012 SIL Cameroon Bibliography in 2012 Technical Manuscripts Publications in National Languages

Bafanji Kom Elip (Nulibie) CHUO, Kain Godfrey; et Kristine R. HAMM, Cameron. 2011. The Noun WALTER, Stephen L. ; CHUO Kain, Comité de langue Nulíbíe. 2012. TRAMMELL. 2011. Des bonnes Class System of Chufie' (Bafanji). Godfrey. 2012. The Kom Manuel pour lire et écrire la règles qui éveillent, CP, livre 2. 108 41 pp. Experinmental Mother Tongue langue nulíbíe. 63pp. Ombessa, SIL Cameroon pp. Yaoundé, Cameroun : SIL. Bambalang education Pilot Project Report for Cameroun. Mpongmpong (Mpumpong) publications are 2012. 33pp. Kenswei Nsei (Bamessing) GROVE, Dan; WRIGHT, Jennifer. COMITÉ CHRÉTIEN D'ÉTUDE DE LA WALTER, Stephen L. 2012. primarily written 2012. Bambalang (Chrambo) BEKEKE, Augustine; Ketik David LANGUE MPUMPONG. 2012. Assessment Results for the for national Orthography Guide. 25pp. KENCHOLIA; Silverius MBUYE; Abécédaire en langue Mpumpong. Government Teacher Training WRIGHT, JENNIFER. 2012. Testing Regina NJUABE; and Funge Yokadouma, Cameroun : Comité language College (GTTC) in Fundong. 18pp. and Revising a Tone Orthography Joseph NEKIA. 2011. Reading and Chrétien d’Etude de la langue speakers. Proposal for Chrambo Lagwan Writing Kənswey Nsey! 65 pp. mpumpong (COCELMPU). Yaounde, Cameroon: SIL. In 2012, SIL (Bambalang). 39pp. SHRYOCK, Aaron; et Marouf Tuki BRAHIM. 2011. L'alphabet et Mofu-Gudur members worked Bamukumbit WELAZE, Jacquis Kongne; Marguerite l'orthographe de Lagwan. 27 pp. CHUO, Kain Godfrey; et Kristine R. together with DeVisser, Christine. 2011. The BITEYA; and Benjamin ILOMO. Mankong (Bamukumbit) Noun Mfumte TRAMMELL. 2011. Les bonnes 2011. Lire et écrire la langue tuki. Cameroonians Phrase. 54 pp. MCLEAN, Greg. 2012. A Recorded paroles à lire, SIL, livre 2. 148 pp. 71 pp. Mbangassina, Cameroun : Yaoundé, Cameroun : SIL. to produce Bangolan Text Survey of the Mfumte Speech Comité de langue tuki. Varieties and Rapid Appraisal CHUO, Kain Godfrey; et Kristine R. Freeland, Lance. 2011. A General Yambeta publications Survey of Dzodinka. 63 pp. TRAMMELL. 2011. Des bonnes History and Economic Study of Mongo, Raoul; Bolioki, in the mother règles qui éveillent, CP, livre 1. Bangolan. 7 pp. Mmen Léonard-Albert. 2012. Syllabaire en 126 pp. Yaoundé, Cameroun : SIL. tongue covering Buwal Möller, Mirjam. 2012. The noun and langue yambeta 1. 75pp. Bafia,

verb phrase in Mmen a Center a wide range of VILJOOEN, Melanie. 2012. The Cameroun: YALICO Ring Grassfields Bantu language. Buwal Verb Phrase. 76pp. topics, including 49pp. Iyive lexicons, Saari (Nsari) Foster, Suzanne. 2012. A Phonology LANGHOUT, Bep. 2012. Tone in the Grammar books, Sketch of the Iyive language. 90 Saari Noun Phrase exemplified folktales, HIV- pp. with nouns from gender 7/8. Karang AIDS booklets, 72pp. NGANG, David; and Robert Ernst educational Yasa ULFERS, trad. 2012. Histories of GRANT, N. Elise. 2012. Iyasa booklets and Karang villages. 33 pp. primers. See our Vocabulary lesson – plans 1 and 2. ULFERS, Robert Ernst; and David 9pp. NGANG. 2012. A Method for the website for more Zulgo-Gemzek details: www. Collection of Local Village Histories in the Karang Language. SCHERRER, Elaine Marie. 2012. An silcam.org 9 pp. overview of Gemzek Narrative Discourse Features. 45pp Kemezung Smoes, Christopher L. 2010. A Sketch Grammar of the Kemezung Language. 47 pp. 12 13 Bamenda Regional Office Languages SIL Served in 2012

Below is the list of the language communities to which SIL Sharing vision and skills provided consulting, training or logistical support to language development during 2012

1 Far North Region 4 North West Region course about translation principles, a course about Gospel and culture, Bana Mbedam Ngemba Pinyin a dictionary development workshop or a multilingual education refresher Buwal (Mbudum) [Mankon] Saari (Nsari) Language day for primary school teachers these are just a handful of examples of Fulfulde Mbuko Ngwo (Engwo) Vengo (Babungo) names are A Cuvok Merey Ngie Weh according the type of courses held in the Bamenda Regional Office (BRO) in 2012. The (Tchouvok) Mofu-Gudur Noone (Noni) Wushi (Babessi) office often buzzes like a beehive with course participants and all those coming Gavar Moloko Oku Yamba to the 16th and going for other services. Gemzek Mpade edition of the (Guemzek) Musey 5 South West Region Ethnologue The main goal of the BRO is to provide course facilities in order to share Gude Muyang Akoose Ipulo knowledge, skills and attitudes with translation projects and language communi- Hdi Parkwa (Podoko) published Denya Kenyang Jimi Tupuri by SIL ties alike. Ejagham Mundani Lagwan Vame Iceve-Maci [Oliti] Oroko International. Apart from courses, one might also meet one or two translation teams Mada Wandala working on checking their draft translation with a consultant, or the literacy con- Mafa (Mandara) 6 West Region (Name) = sultant going through a drafted primer with a literacy team. Mambai Wuzlam Other (Mambay) (Ouldeme) Bangwa Ngomba Members of language communities know where to find us, when they are Matal Zulgo Ghomálá’ Ngombale common considering developing their language or want a literacy class for the urban Mazagway-Hidi Ngiemboon Yemba name elite. We link them up with those in their language communities that have the 7 Littoral Region [Name] = same aim. Together with them we look for the best way forward to develop their 2 North Region Bakoko Bakaka [Mkaa] language to a written stage, to provide literacy and to translate Scriptures and Daba Gidar Dialect name Dii Karang 8 Centre Region other helpful books and documents. Gbaya Pana Basaa Nubaca (Baca) Balengou Nugunu 3 Adamawa Region Bebele So Kwanja Tikar Elip (Nulibie) Tuki Mambila Lefa Tunen Mbule Vute Mengisa Yambeta 4 North West Region Mmaala Yangben Aghem Fulfulde (Numaala) (Nuasue) Awing Kemezung Nomaande Baba Kenswei Nsei Babanki (Kejom) (Bamessing) 9 South Region Bafanji Kom Gyele Kwasio Bafut Lamnso’ Bakoko Yasa Bamali Limbum Batanga Bambalang Mbembe, Tigon Bamukumbit Meta’ [Menemo] 10 East Region In 2013 we hope to move into the new facilities that our partner, the Bamunka Meta’ [Moghamo] Baka Koonzime Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy (CABTAL), is building. Bangolan Mfumte Bebil [Nzime] Bebe Mmen Kako Makaa (Mekaa) That should enable us to share vision and skills with language communities in Bum Ncane Koonzime Mpongmpong ththee North West, South West and West Regions even more effectively. Cung [Mungong] [Badwe’e] (Mpumpong) 14 Esimbi Ncane [Ncane] Njyem 15