Abstract
The Edoid languages, to which Afenmai (Niger-Congo) belongs, have the most complex segments in the Kwa group of languages. In some cases, not all the segments co-occur in the same languages, while some are mutually exclusive. Different letters are used in the different languages to represent the same sounds. These challenges and more create a complex situation. Many of the Afenmai languages are endangered due to many reasons, but especially the lack of cultural and linguistic identity. There is, therefore, the need to invent an Afenmai identity. An important aspect of developing such an identity is the unification of the linguistic variations and the harmonization of the alphabet. This chapter presents a proposal for the unification and harmonization of the Afenmai spelling system using linguistic features.
This chapter is part of a keynote speech first presented at the Afenmai Central Language Seminar on the 5th of April 2021.
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Notes
- 1.
Emalhe and Okpameri regrouped as one.
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Egbokhare, F.O. (2022). Unification and Harmonization of Afenmai Languages: Issues and Challenges. In: Ekpenyong, M.E., Udoh, I.I. (eds) Current Issues in Descriptive Linguistics and Digital Humanities. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-2932-8_24
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