Speaking English in rural Africa

A recent tweet by @WorldVisionUN offered this opinion about development communication in Africa:

. @lorithicke @TranslatorsWB - if we're speaking to rural Africa in English, we're talking to ourselves #mHealth #MDG456Live @GSMAm4d
— WorldVisionUN (@WorldVisionUN) September 23, 2014

This is a good attention getter, as I think it is a common assumption that in what are known as "English-speaking" African countries, people speak ... English. In fact, however, the linguistic situations in countries where English is the de facto or de jure official language, are more complicated than either the common assumption or @WorldVisionUN's tweet would imply.

My experience in rural Africa - which includes a number of years in "Francophone" countries - has been that when you speak French or English you may actually be speaking to someone who has enough language skills to interpret. And therein lies other problems, including first of all, the quality of such ad hoc translation.

The bottom line, though, is that sole reliance on Europhone languages for communication, education, and extension in rural Africa will always have sub-optimal results. I believe this is in line with the point @WorldVisionUN is trying to make.

In some earlier posts, I've explored some aspects of this in the context of agricultural development. For instance:

• Farming words: Agricultural development still mute on languages? (Saturday, April 05, 2008)
• Language - a vital & neglected topic in African agricultural development? (Saturday, September 22, 2007)

N'Ko on the web: Review of experience with ebola FAQ

Here's a quick recap of the demonstration of (experiment with) posting the N'Ko text of a WHO FAQ on ebola. Shortly after I posted it, I wrote "There would seem to be no reason not to use the internet for dissemination of webpages and mobile content about ebola in N'Ko, ..." Then Charles Riley of Yale University and Athinkra LLC pointed out some problems. And I found others.

I stand by that estimation, but after some tedious work on formatting and font coding in HTML, do so with greater emphasis on the caveats: "... although there would need to be attention to testing of commonly used systems and of ways to feed or facilitate loading of fonts that include N'Ko."

A summary of findings and lessons learned follows, but first a quick recap of what I did. My first attempt was to copy-past N'Ko text from a PDF of the FAQ on ebola, which as previously mentioned, did not work (RTL text was switched to LTR; character order was mixed, and combining diacritics sometimes not combined). Working from the Word document original, in contrast, was deceptively easy since I was working in Firefox (FF) ver. 32 - copy-paste into the "Compose" screen on Blogger, fix some bullets and do some minor formatting and voilà!

Problems were identified in Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 and Chrome 37 (mostly white boxes but some strings of text), and FF (some alignment of combining diacritics used to mark tones). Varying font commands inherited from the Word source document caused the irregular display of characters, and were fixed (an alternative to try later would be an unformatted text paste). 

However, while this work facilitated a correct display of diacritics on FF 32.02 and MSIE 8 on a computer running Windows XP, the diacritics were all off the mark in FF 32.03 and MSIE 11 on a Windows 7 system (the latter did not have the DejaVu fonts installed, which might be the problem there).

Lessons learned so far:

• align="left" - Full justification of N'Ko text may space the combining diacritics as if they were characters, leading to misalignment.
• Font choice/availability - N'Ko text display seems especially sensitive to font commands. Do not have an answer to why formatted text from a Word document pasted into Blogger looked fine in FF but not in MSIE 8 or Chrome. Installation of a font with N'Ko support may help.
• Browsers may not be the main issue - Despite initially encountering display issues in MSIE 8 and Chrome more than FF, those could be corrected in the source code. Also, the fact that the most current FF (32.03) and MSIE (11) misplace all diacritics on a computer without a particular font (DejaVu) points back to the font issue. 
• But browsers are not not an issue - The N'Ko script normally shows liaisons between characters within words (somewhat like Arabic), but while these show on FF, they did not on MSIE
• No bold or italics - Bold N'Ko is apparently not supported by the DejaVu font. Italics are, but while those did display on FF 32, they would not on MSIE 8.

Next steps

This has been a learning experience, but it should be pointed out that with sites like Kanjamadi, N'Ko on the internet is a reality and a potential to be pursued, even as there are issues. (Kanjamadi displays impressively on the same FF32 on XP that did great with the WHO ebola FAQ, but cannot load in MSIE 8 and has the same diacritic problems on MSIE 11 on the Windows 7 machine mentioned above).

Before posting more in N'Ko, it would be helpful to have more feedback on display issues for this script in function of available fonts, browsers, and operating systems.

Next steps should have as their goal a simple how-to for organizations wanting to display text in N'Ko on the web - whether for ebola education or any other useful purpose. Similar localization guides could be developed for other West African languages as well.

WHO FAQ on ebola, in N'Ko

"N'Ko" written in N'Ko

N'Ko is a script used mainly for Manding languages of West Africa, as well as an effort to create standardized form of those largely mutually intelligible languages.

I've reproduced below a translation into N'Ko of a FAQ on Ebola provided by the World Health Organization's (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, which was done by Boubacar Diakité and Baba Mamadi Diané.This was one of the translations mentioned in a previous post on this blog that have been facilitated by Athinkra, LLC. (Thanks to Charles Riley for his help.)

N'Ko was invented by Soulemayne Kante in Guinea in 1949. Although it is not officially recognized by any government, its use has been spread by grassroots education efforts in several countries in West Africa. It is written right to left, and includes tone marks.

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ߢߌ߬ߣߌ߲߬ߞߊ߬ߟߌ߬ ߛߌߦߊߡߊ߲ ߡߍ߲ ߦߋ߫ ߞߍ߫ ߟߊ߫ ߛߊߦߌߘߊ߲ߜߊ ߢߐߛߌ ߟߊߞߏߘߐ߫

ߛߊߦߌߘߊ߲ߜߊ ߢߐߛߌ ߦߋ߫ ߡߎ߲߬ ߘߌ߫؟

ߛߊߦߌߘߊ߲ߜߊ ߦߋ߫ ߓߣߊ߬ߖߎ߰ ߜߍߟߍ߲߫ ߞߟߊߞߟߊߡߊ ߘߏ߫ ߟߋ߬ ߘߌ߫߸ ߊ߬ ߛߌߦߊߡߊ߲ ߘߐ߫ ߊ߬ ߦߋ߫ ߡߐ߰ ߝߊ߰ ߟߊ߫ ߟߋ߬ ߸ ߊ߬ ߣߌ߫ ߢߊߕߍ߯ߘߐߡߊ ߡߍ߲ ߠߎ߬ ߕߍ߫ ߡߐ߰ ߘߌ߫ ߸ ߦߏ߫ ( ߜߐ߲߭، ߥߏ߬ߘߏ߲، ߊ߬ ߣߌ߫ ߞߏ߲ߞߏߡߐ߰ߣߍ߲ )߸ ߞߵߏ ߞߎ߲߭ ߞߍ߫ ߊ߬ߟߋ߬ ߛߊߦߌߘߊ߲ߜߊ߫ ߢߐߛߌ߫ ߞߟߊߞߟߊߡߊ ߞߍ ߘߌ߫ ߞߵߊ߬ߟߎ߬ ߟߊߛߐ߬ߘߐ߲߬، ߓߣߊ߬ ߞߟߊ߬ߞߟߊ߬ߡߊ߬ߓߊ߫ ߟߋ߬߸ ߡߍ߲ ߦߋ߫ ߝߊ߰ߟߌ ߞߍ߫ ߟߊ߫ ߌߞߘߐ߫ ߸ ߞߏ߬ߣߌ߲߬ ߊ߬ ߓߴߛߋ߫ ߡߊߕߊ߲߬ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߫.

ߖߊ߲߬ߞߊߙߏ ߣߌ߲߬ ߦߋ߫ ߖߍ߲ߛߍ߲߫ ߠߊ߫ ߘߌ߬؟

ߢߐߛߌ ߣߌ߲߬ ߡߊߞߍ߫ ߦߙߐ߫ ߛߎ߲ߞߎ߲ߡߊ ߟߐ߲ߣߍ߲߫ ߕߍ߫߸ ߊ߬ ߘߏ߲߬ ߞߍߟߌ ߞߊ߬ ߡߐ߰ ߡߌ߬ߘߊ߬ ߝߟߐ ߞߍ߫ ߏ߬ ߘߐߞߣߍߣߍ߲߫ ߕߍ߫، ߞߏ߬ߣߌ߲߬ ߊ߬ ߛߌߦߊߡߊ߲ ߘߐ߫ ߸ ߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߐ߰ ߝߟߐ ߡߍ߲ ߟߊߛߐ߬ߘߐ߲߬ ߏ߬ ߞߍߣߍ߲߫ ߣߌߡߊߝߋ߲߫ ߓߣߊ߬ߓߊ߰ߕߐ ߘߏ߫ ߟߋ߬ ߛߌߟߊ ߝߍ߬.

ߝߣߊ߫߸ ߊ߬ ߢߐߛߌ ߓߴߛߋ߫ ߡߐ߰ ߟߊߛߐ߬ߘߐ߲߬ ߠߴߊ߬ ߟߊ߫ ߡߐ߰ ߡߌ߬ߣߊ߬ߣߍ߲ ߡߊ߰ߢߐ߲߰ߠߊ ߘߐ߫ ߸ ߊ߬ ߝߊ߬ߘߌ߬ߡߊ߬ ߖߌ ߣߌ߫ ߖߋ߬ߟߌ ߣߌ߫ ߘߊߖߌ ߣߌ߫ ߞߐߡߊߕߊ߮ ߣߌ߫ ߕߙߊߖߌ ߣߌ߫ ߘߏ߫ ߜߘߍ߫ ߟߎ߫ ߛߌߟߊ ߝߍ߬ ߜߍ ߘߐ߫߸ ߊ߬ ߣߌ߫ ߤߊߟߌ߬ ߓߣߊ߬ߓߊ߰ߕߐ ߟߊ߫ ߝߊ߬ߣߌ߲߬ ߣߐ߯ߣߍ߲ ߟߊߓߊ߯ߙߊ ߛߌߟߊ ߝߍ߬.

ߊ߬ ߓߴߛߋ߫ ߡߐ߰ ߟߊߛߐ߬ߘߐ߲߬ ߠߊ߫ ߝߋ߲߫ ߜߘߍ߫ ߟߎ߫ ߛߌߟߊ ߝߍ߬߸ ߦߏ߫ ߛߊ߬ߦߌ߬ߟߊ߲ ߡߍ߲ ߠߎ߬ ߡߊߣߐߘߐ߲ߞߐߣߍ߲߫ ߊ߬ ߕߌ߰ߟߊ߬ߡߐ߮ ߡߊ߬ߖߌ ߟߎ߬ ߟߊ߫.

ߊ߬ ߞߐ߯ߟߌ ߞߎ߲߬ߕߊ߮ ߕߋ߬ߟߊ߫ ߂-߂߁

ߛߊߦߌߘߊ߲ߜߊ ߕߐ߰ߡߊ߬ߛߙߋ ߣߴߊ߬ ߥߟߏߒߡߊߞߏ ߟߎ߬ ߦߋ߫ ߡߎ߲߬ ߘߌ߫؟

• ߝߊ߬ߘߌ߬ߜߊ
• ߝߣߐ
• ߞߣߐߓߏߙߌ
• ߞߊ߲ߠߊߓߊ߯ߣߍ߲
• ߞߎ߬ߘߋ߲ ߠߎ߬ ߣߌ߫ ߝߛߊ߬ ߘߌߡߌ߲
• ߞߣߐߘߌߡߌ߲
• ߞߎ߲߬ߘߌߡߌ߲
• ߡߊߞߌ߬ߛߍߞߌ߬ߛߍ
• ߝߊ߬ߘߌ ߡߊߞߌ߬ߛߍߞߌ߬ߛߍ ߣߌ߫ ߢߊߞߌߛߍ ߥߎ߬ߟߋ߲߬ߠߌ߲߸ ߊ߬ ߣߌ߫ ߛߌ߬ߞߏ߲ߕߌ ߣߌ߫ ߖߋ߬ߟߌ߬ߓߐ ߝߊ߬ߘߌ ߡߊ߬߸ ߏ߬ ߓߍ߯ ߦߴߊ߬ ߥߟߏߢߊ ߘߏ߫ ߟߋ߬ ߘߌ߫ ߖߊ߲߬ߞߊ߬ߙߏ߬ߕߐ ߡߊ߬.

ߊ߬ ߘߌ߫ ߛߋ߫ ߡߊߕߊ߲߬ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߫ ߘߌ߬؟

• ߛߊߦߌߘߊ߲ߜߊߕߐ ߝߊ߬ߘߌ߬ߡߊ߬ߖߌ ߕߋߟߋ߲ߒߡߊ߫ ߡߊ߲߯ߢߐ߲߯ߦߊ ߡߊߕߊ߲߬ߞߊ ߸ ߥߟߴߊ߬ ߟߊ߫ ߛߊ߬ߓߊ߰ߕߐ ߡߊߕߊ߲߬ߞߊ ߓߟߏߡߊߘߏ߲ ߠߊ߫߸ ߡߊ߬ߕߊ߲߬ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߲߬ ߢߟߊ ߟߊ߫߸ ߊ߬ ߣߌ߫ ߞߎ߲߬ߡߊ߬ߘߏ߲ ߠߊ߫.
• ߞߊ߬ ߕߊ߯ ߡߐ߱ ߡߊߟߐ߬ ߜߋߙߋ߲ߜߋߙߋ߲ߦߘߊ ߡߊߛߎߘߎ߲ ߘߏ߫ ߟߊ߫ ߖߏߣߊ߫߸ ߕߎ߲߬ߞߎ߬ߙߎ߲߬ ߞߍߣߍ߲߫ ߡߍ߲ ߠߊ߫ ߛߊߦߌߘߊ߲ߜߊߕߐߦߊ ߟߊ߫߸ ߛߊ߫ ߞߊ߬ ߘߐ߰ߘߏ߲߬ ߞߍ߫ ߊ߬ ߟߊ߫ ߖߏߣߊ߫. ߛߊߦߌߘߊ߲ߜߊߕߐ ߡߊ߰ߢߐ߲߰ߠߊ߬ߓߊ߮ ߟߎ߫ ߣߐ߬ߝߍ߬ߓߐߟߌ ߣߴߊ߬ߟߎ߫ ߜߋ߬ߟߎ߲߬ߠߌ߲ ߦߋ߫ ߏ߬ ߘߐ߫ ߞߏ߫ ߞߘߎ߬ߜߍߟߍ߲ ߠߋ߬ ߘߌ߫.
• ߊ߬ߟߋ߬ ߛߊߦߌߘߊ߲ߜߊ ߞߍߣߍ߲߫ ߡߍ߲ ߠߎ߬ ߛߕߊ ߘߌ߫߸ ߏ߬ ߟߎ߬ ߞߊ߫ ߞߊ߲߫ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊߘߊ߬ߙߏ߬ ߡߊ߬ߕߊ߲߬ߞߊ߬ߝߋ߲߫ ߝߊ߲߬ߞߊ߬ߡߊ ߟߎ߫ ߟߋ߬ ߟߊߓߊ߯ߙߊ ߘߐ߫߸ ߞߊ߬ ߕߊ߯ ߊ߬ߟߎ߫ ߛߎ߬ߘߏ߲߬ ߌߞߘߐ߫.
• ߕߎ߲߬ߞߎߙߎ߲߫ ߞߍߣߍ߲߫ ߡߍ߲ ߠߎ߬ ߟߊ߫ ߛߊߦߌߘߊ߲ߜߊߞߏ ߡߊ߬߸ ߞߊ߬ ߥߊ߫ ߏ߬ ߟߎ߬ ߡߊߓߏ߬ߙߌ߬ ߜߋߙߋ߲ߜߋߙߋ߲ߦߘߊ߫ ߡߊߛߎߘߎ߲ ߠߊ߫ ߖߏߣߊ߫.
• ߕߎ߲߬ߞߎ߬ߙߎ߲߬ ߓߊ߯ ߞߍ߫ ߞߏ߫ ߊ߬ ߗߏ߯ߦߊ ߘߏ߫ ߦߋ߫ ߡߍ߲ ߠߊ߫ ߘߐߙߐ߲߫߸ ߞߵߏ߬ ߣߌ߫ ߓߣߊ߬ߓߊ߰ߕߐ ߕߐ߭ ߟߎ߬ ߓߐ߫ ߢߐ߲߮ ߞߊ߲߬߸ ߞߵߊ߬ ߟߊߞߋ߲߬ߛߎ߬ ߛߍߡߦߊ ߛߋߒߞߏߟߦߊ ߞߐ߬ߣߐߡߊ߬ ߞߋߟߋ߲ߘߌ߫.
• ߘߊ߲ߘߊߛߏ ߓߊ߯ߙߟߊ ߓߍ߯ ߣߌ߫ ߛߊߦߌߘߊ߲ߜߊ ߛߎ߲ߞߎ߲ ߞߊ߬ߟߊߡߦߊ߬ߟߌ ߟߋ߬ ߞߊ߫ ߞߊ߲߫߸ ߊ߬ ߣߴߊ߬ ߟߊ߫ ߞߟߊߞߟߊߡߦߊ ߛߌߟߊ ߟߎ߬. ߓߌ߲ߓߌ߲ߠߌ߲߫ ߞߙߍߞߙߍߣߍ߲߫ ߞߊ߫ ߞߊ߲߫ ߞߊ߬ ߞߍ߫ ߞߍߢߊ߫ ߣߊ߬ߕߐ ߢߌ߲߬ ߠߎ߫ ߟߐ߬ߞߎ߬ߟߌ ߞߊ߲߬: ߦߏ߫ ߣߊ߬ߝߏߟߏ߲ ߛߐ߰ߟߌ߸ ߖߋ߬ߟߌ߸ ߟߊ߬ߓߎ߬ߦߌ߬ߟߌ߸ ߘߐ߬ߛߏ߬ߛߏ߬ߟߌ߸ ߝߙߋ߬ߞߋ߬ߘߐ߬ߦߊ ߸ ߊ߬ ߣߌ߫ ߛߏ߬ߛߏ߬ߟߌ߬ ߕߙߏߞߏ ߟߎ߬߸ ߣߌ߲߬ ߓߍ߯ ߦߋ߫ ߞߍ߫ ߛߍߡߦߊ ߞߎ߬ߙߎ߲߬ߘߎ ߘߊ߲߬ߠߊߕߍ߰ߣߍ߲ ߠߎ߫ ߞߐ߬ߣߐߡߊ߬.

ߡߐ߱ ߞߋ߬ߟߋ߲߬ߞߋ߬ߟߋ߲߬ߠߊ߫ ߓߍ߯ ߣߴߊ߬ ߕߊ߫ ߘߎ߲߬ߘߎ߬ߡߊ߬ ߓߟߏߡߊߘߏ߲߸ ߞߎ߲߬ߡߊ߬ߘߏ߲߸ ߊ߬ ߣߌ߫ ߡߊ߬ߕߊ߲߬ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߲߬ ߢߟߊ ߞߊ߫ ߞߊ߲߫ ߞߊ߬ ߞߍ߫، ߝߣߊ߫߸ ߏ߬ ߓߊ߯ߙߊ߫ ߡߎߙߊ߲߫ ߟߊߓߊ߯ߙߊߣߍ߲߫ ߟߊߝߟߌ߬ߓߊߟߌ ߟߎ߬ ߡߊ߲߫ ߞߊ߲߫ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊߓߊ߯ߙߊ߫ ߝߋߎ߫߸ ߝߏ߫ ߣߴߊ߬ߟߎ߬ ߟߊߢߐߛߌߒߕߊ߲ߧߊ߫ ߘߊ߫.

• ߊ߬ߟߋ߬ ߖߊ߲߬ߞߊߙߏ ߘߌ߫ ߛߋ߫ ߟߊߖߍ߲ߛߍ߲߫ ߠߊ߫ ߛߊߦߌߘߊ߲ߜߊߕߐ ߟߊ߫ ߝߊ߰ߣߌ߲߬ ߣߐ߯ߣߍ߲ ߠߎ߬ ߛߌߟߊ ߝߍ߬߸ ߥߟߴߊ߬ ߟߊ߫ ߟߊߝߋ߲߫ ߟߊߒߞߣߐ ߟߎ߫ ߝߍ߬߸ ߏ߬ ߞߏߛߐ߲߫ ߝߏ߫ ߞߵߏ߬ ߟߎ߬ ߢߐߛߌߒߕߊ߲ߧߊ߫ ߟߋ߬.
• ߛߊߦߌߘߊ߲ߜߊ ߓߘߊ߫ ߡߊ߰ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ߲߬ߘߌ ߡߍ߲ ߠߎ߬ ߟߊ߫߸ ߏ߬ ߟߎ߬ ߦߴߊ߬ߟߎ߬ ߞߊߘߊ߲߫ ߞߙߊߕߊߕߊ߫ ߞߵߊ߬ߟߎ߬ ߛߏߡߐ߮ ߟߎ߬ ߡߊߜߍ߲߫ ߖߊ߲߬ߞߊߙߏ ߣߌ߲߬ ߛߎ߲ߞߎ߲ ߞߎ߲߬ߠߊ߬ߝߎߟߋ߲ ߠߊ߫ ߓߘߍߞߍ߭߸ ߊ߬ ߣߌ߫ ߝߍ߬ߙߍ ߡߍ߲ ߠߎ߬ ߞߊ߫ ߞߊ߲߫ ߞߊ߬ ߛߌ߰ ߛߋ߲߬ߞߊ߲߬ ߊ߬ ߡߊ߲߬ߕߊߣߌ߲ ߘߟߊߞߎ߬ߘߎ ߘߐ߫ ߜߎߕߙߎ߬، ߞߵߏ߬ ߟߴߊ߬ ߟߊ߫ ߡߐ߰ ߝߊ߰ߣߍ߲ ߠߎ߫ ߛߎ߬ߘߏ߲ ߞߍߢߊ ߞߊ߲߬. ߊ߬ߟߋ߬ ߛߊߦߌߘߊ߲ߜߊ ߞߍߣߍ߲߫ ߡߍ߲ ߠߎ߬ ߛߕߊ ߘߌ߫߸ ߏ߬ ߟߎ߫ ߛߎ߬ߘߏ߲ ߞߊ߫ ߞߊ߲߫ ߠߋ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߞߊߟߌߦߊ߫߸ ߊ߬ ߣߌ߫ ߝߊ߲ߕߊ߲ߞߊ߫ ߞߐ߲ߞߐ߲ ߞߐ߬ߣߐߡߊ߬.

ߟߊ߬ߛߐ߬ߘߐ߲߬ߠߌ߲

ߌߞߏߡߌ߲߬ ߊ߬ ߟߊ߫ ߡߐ߰ ߟߊ߬ߛߐ߬ߘߐ߲߬ߧߊ߬ ߝߟߐ ߦߋ߫ ߡߊ߰ߟߌ ߟߋ߬ ߘߌ߫ ߞߟߊߞߟߊߡߊ ߟߊ߫߸ ߖߋ߬ߟߌ ߘߐ߫߸ ߓߎ߬ߦߌ߬ߕߊ ߘߐ߫߸ ߊ߬ ߣߌ߫ ߝߊ߬ߘߌ߬ߡߊ߬ߖߌ ߘߐ߫߸ ߏ߬ ߞߏߛߐ߲߬ ߡߐ߱ ߟߎ߬ ߞߊ߫ ߞߊ߲߫ ߞߊ߬ ߕߏ߫ ߜߋ߬ߟߎ߲߬ߠߌ߲߬ ߜߘߋߜߘߋ ߞߐ߬ߣߐߡߊ߬ ߡߍ߲ ߠߎ߫ ߕߘߍ߬ ߓߣߊ߬ߓߊ߰ߕߐ ߛߋ߲߬ߘߐ߫ ߛߌߟߊ ߏ߬ ߟߎ߫ ߝߍ߬߸ ߞߵߊ߬ߟߎ߫ ߝߊ߬ߘߌ ߜߊ߲߬ߘߌ߬ߦߊ ߡߊߝߟߍ߫ ߕߋ߬ߟߋ ߞߘߐ߫ ߛߋ߲߬ߧߊ߫ ߝߌ߬ߟߊ߬، ߞߊ߬ߕߎ߲߯ ߸ ߞߵߊ߬ߟߎ߬ ߟߊߘߏ߲߬ ߘߊ߲ߘߊߛߏ ߟߊ߫ ߞߊߟߌߦߊ߫ ߘߐ߫ ߌߞߘߐ߫ ߣߴߊ߬ ߦߋ߫ ߘߊ߫ ߞߏ߫ ߊ߬ ߝߊ߬ߘߌ߬ߜߊ ߢߐ߲߰ ߦߴߊ߬ ߘߏ߫ ߟߊ߫.

ߟߊ߬ߝߛߊ߬ߟߌ ߣߌ߫ ߟߊ߬ߛߋ߬ߟߌ ߓߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߢߐ߲߰ߡߊ߬ߘߊ

ߜߋߟߋ߲ߜߋߟߋ߲߫ ߝߙߍߕߍ : +߄߇߂ ߄߁߃ ߉߄߂߀، + ߂߄߂ ߀߆ ߆߁߄ ߂߄߀߁

ߢߎߡߍߙߋ߲ߞߏ߲ߘߏ : afrgodrdcam@who.int

Source: World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa

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Addendum (24 Sept. 2014): 
The main reasons for posting this are: demonstration; and facilitation of review, reading, revisions, and re-use (4 R's?) of the text. A secondary purpose was to test support for the N'Ko script.

N'Ko was added to Unicode in July 2006, which is what makes it possible to post and read it in a blog like this. However, posting the text presented an unexpected challenge, since copying and pasting from the PDF made available by Athinkra on its site resulted in problems, including reversal of the right-to-left text to left-to-right. Pasting from Word document version supplied by Charles Riley held the text formatting without problem (there were minor issues with bullets and indents).

On the whole, it is impressive what one can do on current systems. There would seem to be no reason not to use the internet for dissemination of webpages and mobile content about ebola in N'Ko, although there would need to be attention to testing of commonly used systems and of ways to feed or facilitate loading of fonts that include N'Ko. 

Addendum (25 Sept. 2014): 

After some helpful observations from Charles Riley on display of this post in different browsers, I've revised some of the HTML and the N'Ko text should now be readable on more systems. I'll write about lessons learned in an upcoming post on this blog. [See here.]

"Pamɛbhamɛ" article on ebola

A monthly journal in the Dan language of Côte d'Ivoire named Pamɛbhamɛ features a short article on ebola, which I reproduce below. Thanks to Prof. Valentin Vydrine of LLACAN for sharing this and background on the journal.

Dan is a Mande language spoken by around a million people mainly in western Côte d'Ivoire, but also across the border in Liberia, with a few speakers also in Guinea. The language has two dialects - eastern (Dan-Gwɛɛtaa or Gwɛɛtaawu) and western (Dan-Blo or Blowo) - and Pamɛbhamɛ correspondingly has two editions. The journal has just recommenced publication after a hiatus of three years since the death of the editor of the Eastern Dan version, Kessé "Alphonse" Mongnan in 2011. That version has a new chief-editor, Emmanuel Zeh, and the Western Dan version is again being edited by Japhet Loh. According to Prof. Vydrine, Pamɛbhamɛ is the currently only African language periodical in Côte d'Ivoire.

The article below from Pamɛbhamɛ (No. 40) is in Eastern-Dan. The dashes ("-") and equal signs ("=") are used to indicate tones.

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-Kwaa “Kɔdivua -sɛ ‘gü -wɔn
-Tiaandhö, kö -kë “klʋ̈ʋ̈klëë -sü -yö kë kwa –gɔ bha ‘aa –yö kë!

Kwa –bha “kɔdivua –dhɛ -todhʋ̈sü ‘gü, kwa –bha “dhiʋ̈sükwakamɛ -nu ‘wo kwa –gɔ “sɛ ya- ‘gü, -ang –lookotasü -wo wo ‘gü dɔ -ni ‘gü “gbɩɩ- “sɛgümɛ -nu =zo =kpaɔ -sü ‘gü, kë “dhʋ̈ kö Ebola –yua bha, ‘ya ‘dho –da kwa –gɔ “sɛ ya- ‘gü.

BHƲ̈Ʋ̈NË ‘WO- -DHƐ EBOLA BHA, -KAA –NU KË -KƆ –NU -GA

“Yua –zë -a -së ‘bhaa ‘dhö. Kwa
-mɛnu –wa pö ‘wɔn yaa –yö -dhö, ‘yö -a yaagüyaa ‘dhö ‘dhö. -A  –k̈ë “dhʋ̈ -sü bha- ‘gü, ‘yua yaa –yënngsü ‘ö =ya zun kwa –-bha “kɔdivua –sɛ ‘ka klöö- bha, wa –dhɛ EBOLA. “yua ‘ö “dhʋ̈ bha, mɛbhɩɩdhe “gblüdo ö -ta “saɔdhu “sima =në =ya- -nu zë. “yua ‘kö “dhʋ̈ bha ‘ö zun =dɛɛ -bha –a -bɛdhɛ ‘yaa ‘dho. Mɛbhɩdhe –duda -yua =dede –mü. Ebola –yua ‘kö “dhʋ̈ bha, =ya –ya ‘mɛ ‘ö- -bha “nɛnɛ “gbɩɩ- =në nu –a –mɛ -ta, ‘yö- -mɛ -yö -pe =dedewo, ‘yö- -mɛ -gɔ -ya –pʋ̈ʋ̈=dhɛ ‘gbanggɔ ‘dhö, ‘yö =yɔɔn bhɔ mɛ -bha, kö- -mɛ “glü ziö -ni ‘gü. ”Yua gbɛ -lokotasü -sü -mü“ɛ vlannggeedhö
-A EBOLA –yua kö bha  -wa-sü mü =dhɛ?
kwɩɩ” –mɛ -nu ‘ka =dɔ bha, ‘wɔn =ya da kö pë =ya siʋ̈” mɛ -bha.
-A –kë “dhʋ̈ -sü bha- ‘gü, EBOLA –yua bha -wa –sü “blü -wi –nu =në- -bha. “Fɛnng –nu oo, -Vë -nu oo, Gbɔng –nu, Zua –nu oo, “Sɔɔ -nu oo, “Tɩ -nu oo, “blü -bhɔɔ -nu.
‘Mɛ ‘ka yö ‘waa- pö “saa- =ya zun =Tɔ “puu –bha, =Gan “puu ‘yaa- “yʋʋ ‘sü. =Ya kë “dhʋ̈, -yö tɛɛwɔn ‘ka =dhɛ =Danwopö -mɛ -nu –zë wü =në- -dhɔ ‘dhö kwa –kë, “kɛɛ -kwa kwa bo “blüwü -nu =bhösü ‘ka. –Ka bhɔ wü =gee suu =gban –suu =gban =dhɛ taa.
MƐA- -KË MU =DHƐ
EBOLA –YUA –MƐ -GƆ ?
=ya kë dhɛ ‘ka- yö kö  “nɛnɛ “gbɩɩ- =ya nu –a –mɛ -ta, kö- -mɛ -yö -pe =dedewo, ‘yö- -mɛ -gɔ -ya –pʋ̈ʋ̈ =dhɛ ‘gbanggɔ ‘dhö, ‘yö =yɔɔn bhɔ mɛ -bha, kö- -mɛ “glü ziö -ni ‘gü. –ka –dhɔtrɔɔ -nu –dhɛ “vaandhö. ‘waa –zuö -a –mɛ -bha. –Dhɔtrɔɔ -nu –bha “nimlɔɔ ‘ö ‘waa- =saabho yö =nɛ, 143 ɛɛn” 401
-KWAA KË -SË KÖ -YÖ KË -SË.
‘Mɛ ‘wo “yua bha- dɔ -wa –pö =ya kë =dhɛ mɛ ‘bha =ya ga ebola -yua bha- -kɔ ‘ka, ‘ka ‘dho –zuö -a –mɛ =gee –bha. –ka bhɔ- ‘ka taa =glɛɛn. -kaa –a  –bhasɔ -nu, -a wɔta –pë -nu =gban =pia “pɛɛpɛdhö.
-Yö ‘to kwa “yaan =dhɛ, “yua ‘ö- -kë ‘gü -kɔ -kë =dhɛ -kɔ bha- ‘dhö bha, ‘pë ‘wo- -da aa’ mi ‘gü ‘yaa –wa.
–A –WƆN ‘GÜ KWA –DHO –TOSƐA KË ‘MÜ =DHƐ KWA ‘KO “PIƲ̈?
-dhɔtrɔɔ -nu –wa -pö =dhɛ Ebola –yua ‘kö “dhʋ̈ bha, ‘ö ‘mɛ ‘kö- -bha, kaa- -mɛ ‘ka =kɔ -da ka ‘ko =kwɛɛ- kö ‘bha- ‘sü, ɛɛn” ‘zü kaa- -mɛ ka =loo ka kwëë- kö ‘bha- ‘sü. –a -gɛn –mü =dhɛ -yö ‘fuëyi ‘ö mɛ -bha –a ‘gü.
-A -kë “dhʋ̈ -sü bha- ‘gü, dha ‘yaa mɛ -zo –da ‘yaa mɛ -ma. –ka –dhio dɔ kaa- ‘në -ta, kaa- ‘kɔɔ -mɛ -nu –ta, ka =kɔɔnmɛ -nu –ta, ‘ka- pö ka dɔ -mɛ -nu –dhɛ.
-ƐƐ, KÖ KWA –BHAA –YÖ KË ‘WƆNSË ‘KA BHA ‘AA –YÖ KË!

EBOLA –YUA
EBOLA –YUA ‘KÖ “DHƲ̈ -YÖ KWA –GƆ MƐTII -SƐ YA- ‘GÜ -EE?