The following article from the Accra Mail was seen at
http://www.blackchat.co.uk/theblackforum/forum37/23612.html ... DZO
Encourage Local Languages
Accra Mail (Accra)
NEWS
July 31, 2006
Posted to the web August 1, 2006
Rev. Professor Gilbert Ansre (a Language Development Consultant) has
said that it is wrong for parents to deny their children the
opportunity to learn local languages. He observed that such tendencies
were likely to hinder the children's ability to develop a superior
intellectual and philosophical capacity.
Rev. Professor Ansre said that contrary to the views of many, there
was "abundant evidence to suggest that children who first acquired
expertise in a local language before 'picking' the English Language
were more likely to develop a better intellectual base in linguistics
and physical sciences than those who did not." Mastery of a child's
local dialect has also tied to the development of critical thinking, a
philosophical mind and mathematical prowess.
Against this background of evidence, he said it was wrong for parents
to refuse or use some other means of thwarting their children's
efforts to learn local dialects and languages in preference of the
English Language.
Rev. Prof. Ansre made these comments at the launch of the trial
edition of the Nyagbo or Tutrugbu language primer at Nyagbo Odumase
over the weekend.
The development of the introductory book on the Nyagbo Language is
part of a project to preserve endangered languages. The project is
spearheaded by the Leiden University in the Netherlands to document
and preserve the linguistic and cultural heritage of the people along
southern Ghana and Togo Mountains.
The primer is authored by Dr. James Essegbey (an Assistant Professor
of African Languages at the University of Florida), Dr. Kofi Glover
(Professor in African Studies and Political Science at the University
of South Florida), Miss Judith Glover (an educationist), and the late
Togbe Osu (Chief of Nyabgo Odumase).
The project (which begun in 2002) seeks to provide a detailed analysis
of the grammar of each of the over 10 languages being studied and to
also develop a database suitable for linguistic theorizing and
typological comparison.
It will simultaneously provide comparative linguists, anthropologists,
archaeologists and historians with a means of piecing together part of
the puzzle that surrounds the minorities of the Ghana-Togo frontier as
an invaluable component of human cultural heritage.
Among the languages under study are Ikpana (of the Logba traditional
area), Sekpele (of the Likpe people), Tuwuli (of Bowili), Selee (of
Santrokofi), Siwu (of Lolobi)- all in the Volta Region, Igo and Ikposo
(both of Togo) and Foodo (of Benin).
Speaking on the topic "an anthropological linguist's hopes for the
Southern Ghana-Togo-Mountains Groups", Dr. Felix Ameka (Director of
the project) urged the Nyagbo people to ensure that the primer became
part of the reading literature available to their children in school.
He said while it was the outmost desire of the researchers to help
document all languages and dialects in Ghana, the success depended on
the people's willingness to make the primers part of their literature.
Dr. James Essegbey assured the people that a 700 million-cedi
classroom block (which he helped initiate but stagnated due to lack of
funds), would be completed.
In response, the Hohoe District Assembly promised 100 bags of cement
while Mr. Peter Amewu (MP for Hohoe South) also promised 50 bags of
cement.
The Paramount Chief of the Nyagbo Traditional Area, Togbui Ashui
Nyagasi IV, in a speech read on his behalf, commended the researchers
for their efforts in fulfilling a desire of the people, and traced the
projects back to the 1970s and 80s.
**************************** Disclaimer ******************************
Copyright: In accordance with Title 17, United States Code Section
107, this material is distributed without profit for research and
educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material posted
to this list for purposes that go beyond "fair use," you must obtain
permission from the copyright owner.
Content: The sender does not vouch for the veracity nor the accuracy
of the contents of this message, which are the sole responsibility of
the copyright owner. Also, the sender does not necessarily agree or
disagree with any opinions that are expressed in this message.
***********************************************************************
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AfricanLanguages/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AfricanLanguages/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
