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Oroko Orthography Development: Linguistic and Sociolinguistic Factors

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Oroko Orthography Development: Linguistic and Sociolinguistic Factors OROKO ORTHOGRAPHY DEVELOPMENT: LINGUISTIC AND SOCIOLINGUISTIC FACTORS* by Dan T. Friesen Bachelor of Arts, Providence College, 1990 A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the University of North Dakota in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts * Editor’s note: This version of the thesis, prepared for publication on the SIL-UND website [http://www.und.edu/dept/linguistics/theses/2002FriesenD.htm], has been modified slightly from the version on file with the UND library. Grand Forks, North Dakota December 2002 ii This thesis, submitted by Dan T. Friesen in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts from the University of North Dakota, has been read by the Faculty Advisory Committee under whom the work has been done and is hereby approved. Mark E. Karan (Chairperson) David J. Weber S. H. Levinsohn This thesis meets the standards for appearance, conforms to the style and format requirements of the Graduate School of the University of North Dakota, and is hereby approved. __________________________________________ Dean of the Graduate School __________________________________________ Date iii PERMISSION Title Oroko Orthography Development: Linguistic and Sociolinguistic Factors Department Linguistics Degree Master of Arts In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a graduate degree from the University of North Dakota, I agree that the library of this University shall make it freely available for inspection. I further agree that permission for extensive copying for scholarly purposes may be granted by the professor who supervised my thesis work or, in his absence, by the chairperson of the department or the dean of the Graduate School. It is understood that any copying or publication or other use of this thesis or part thereof for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. It is also understood that due recognition shall be given to me and to the University of North Dakota in any scholarly use which may be made of any material in my thesis. Signature ___________________________ Date ___________________________ iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... ix LIST OF TABLES.............................................................................................................. x ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.............................................................................................. xii ABSTRACT..................................................................................................................... xiv CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1 2. BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................ 2 2.1 Location ................................................................................................................ 2 2.2 Population (Mbongue 2000:5) .............................................................................. 4 2.3 Classification......................................................................................................... 6 2.4 Current Status of Oroko Language Development................................................. 9 3. LINGUISTIC ISSUES.............................................................................................. 11 3.1 Linguistic Data.................................................................................................... 11 3.1.1 The Londo Word.......................................................................................... 11 3.1.2 Yoder Word List .......................................................................................... 12 3.1.3 Friesen Word List ........................................................................................ 12 3.1.4 Eyakwe Word List ....................................................................................... 15 3.2 Word List Summary............................................................................................ 16 3.2.1 Numerals...................................................................................................... 16 v 3.2.2 Issues Arising from the Word Lists ............................................................. 17 3.3 Oroko Phonemes................................................................................................. 19 3.3.1 Vowels ......................................................................................................... 19 3.3.2 Consonants................................................................................................... 23 3.3.2.1 Alveolar Consonants............................................................................. 24 3.3.2.2 Voiced Bilabial Consonants.................................................................. 27 3.3.2.3 Voiceless Bilabial Consonants.............................................................. 28 3.3.2.4 Alveopalatal Consonants ...................................................................... 29 3.3.2.5 Glides .................................................................................................... 30 3.3.2.6 Nasal Consonants.................................................................................. 32 3.3.2.7 Prenasalized Stops ................................................................................ 33 3.3.2.8 Labiovelar Consonants.......................................................................... 35 3.3.2.9 Idiosyncratic Alternations..................................................................... 38 3.3.3 Tone ............................................................................................................. 41 3.4 Morphological Issues.......................................................................................... 44 3.5 Lexical Issues...................................................................................................... 45 4. SOCIOLINGUISTIC ISSUES.................................................................................. 48 4.1 Sociolinguistic Data............................................................................................ 48 4.1.1 Mbongue Rapid Assessment........................................................................ 48 4.1.2 Friesen Modified Recorded Text Testing (RTT) Survey............................. 49 4.2 History of Written Material ................................................................................ 52 4.2.1 European Languages.................................................................................... 52 4.2.2 Duala............................................................................................................ 55 vi 4.2.3 Oroko ........................................................................................................... 56 4.2.4 NACALCO Recommendations ................................................................... 58 4.3 Sociolinguistic Factors........................................................................................ 59 4.3.1 Smalley’s Maximums .................................................................................. 59 4.3.1.1 Maximum Motivation ........................................................................... 60 4.3.1.2 Maximum Representation..................................................................... 63 4.3.1.3 Maximum Ease of Learning.................................................................. 64 4.3.1.4 Maximum Transfer ............................................................................... 65 4.3.1.5 Maximum Ease of Reproduction .......................................................... 66 4.3.2 Other Factors................................................................................................ 67 4.3.2.1 Authority Structure ............................................................................... 67 4.3.2.2 Clan Autonomy..................................................................................... 68 4.3.2.3 Attitude Toward Language Development............................................. 70 5. ORTHOGRAPHIC ISSUES..................................................................................... 73 5.1 Orthography Philosophies................................................................................... 73 5.1.1 Composite Standard..................................................................................... 74 5.1.2 Common Conventions ................................................................................. 79 5.1.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 83 5.2 Orthographic Recommendations ........................................................................ 86 5.2.1 Alphabet Recommendations ........................................................................ 87 5.2.2 Phonemic Recommendations....................................................................... 87 5.2.3 Tone Recommendations............................................................................... 90 5.2.4 Word Level Recommendations.................................................................... 94 vii 5.2.4.1 Word Breaks ......................................................................................... 95 5.2.4.2 Spelling Standardization ......................................................................
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