Ngambai (Nilo-Saharan)
Amanda Miller
Priscille Mekoulnodji Ndjerareou
This course is an introduction to linguistic field methods. We will work with two speakers of the Central Sudanic Nilo-Saharan language Ngambai, which is a language spoken in the Cameroon and Chad. We will discover the structure of Ngambai through elicitation, transcription and analysis of lexical and sentential data, as well as the analysis of conversation and traditional stories. In addition to methods of elicitation and transcription, instruction will include such topics as managing, and organizing data; and ethical, social, and cultural issues in fieldwork. Participants are expected to have background in transcription using the International Phonetic Alphabet that is equivalent to that gained in the Transcription course offered at CoLang 2014.
Materials
The following book is required: Linguistic Fieldwork: A Practical Guide by Claire Bowern, which will be available from the UTA bookstore
Using a cloth-bound notebook with acid-free paper, such as the Clairefontaine brand (http://www.shopwritersbloc.com/clairefontaine-cloth-bound-notebook-large-lined-with-margin.html), and good #2 pencils with a handheld pencil sharpener and rubber eraser, are recommended but not required. This will be available from the UTA bookstore.
Language Description
Ngambai is spoken by the Ngambai tribe. The Ngambai language is a Sudanic branch of the Nilo-Saharan language family. There are approximately 896,000 speakers of the Ngambai language in Chad.
Language Consultants
Priscille Mekoulnodji Ndjerareou
My name is Priscille Mekoulnodji Ndjerareou. I speak Ngambai. Ngambai is also the name of the tribe. It is spoken by approximately 896,000 people in the southern part of Chad. I grew speaking this language since my childhood and still use it as a primary language in my family.
Instructors
Amanda Miller
Click here to view her biography.
