SIL Electronic Working Papers
SILEWP 2004-003
- Author:
Leoma Gilley
Title: Morphophonemic Orthographies in Fusional Languages The Cases of Dinka and Shilluk
Source: 'From Letter to Sound' workshop at the University of Cologne in 2002
Language: Shilluk, Dinka
Country: Sudan
Subjects: orthography, Shilluk, Dinka, morphophonemic, approach
Abstract:
Paper: PDF (2.9Mb, 13 pages)Fusional languages present exceptional challenges to orthography development. This paper discusses the solutions proposed for writing Shilluk and Dinka. The issues of word structure, vowel qualities, vowel and consonant length, tone and consonant alternations are examined. The orthographic choices shown reflect a morphonemic solution as opposed to a phonemic one. The result is that the languages are easier for native speakers to read.
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