Ẹdo Orthography: The Compelling Need for Harmonization and Standardization

Victor Ẹdosa Ọmọzuwa; Osaigbovo Obed Ẹvbuọmwa

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17

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Ẹdo Orthography: The Compelling Need for Harmonization and Standardization

Victor Ẹdosa Ọmọzuwa, Osaigbovo Obed Ẹvbuọmwa

Published in International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 9, Issue 6)

Received: 22 November 2021 Accepted: 11 December 2021 Published: 24 December 2021

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Abstract

The earliest attempts at reducing the Ẹdo language to writing were the singular efforts of the colonial administrators with the aim of facilitating communication with the people. Records show that the writing system of the time, and its subsequent post-colonial reviews, lack the basic criteria that characterize a good orthography and show evidences of the direct adoption of European (mostly English) writing systems for the language. This study presents primary data that include synchronic written texts by Ẹdo writers with the aim of examining whether or not the Ẹdo writing system (as currently used) is consistent with established principles of a good orthography. Results of the study reveal that the writings of the average Ẹdo writer violate the orthographic principles of consistency, simplicity, accuracy, one sound-one letter/digraph, and harmonization. A phonetic-based orthographic system made up of thirty-nine (39) letters of the roman alphabet representing each of the thirty-nine distinctive sounds in the language on a one sound-one letter/digraph basis, in addition to other writing conventions, is proposed for the language. It is recommended that immediate and deliberate steps should be taken by all relevant stakeholders to halt the glaring trend of a 'free-for-all' writing system by organizing regular specialized seminars, workshops and conferences, for the purpose of harmonizing and standardizing the Ẹdo orthography.

Published in	International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 9, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17
Page(s)	334-343
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Orthography, Standardization, Harmonization, Alphabet, Writing Conventions, Digraph, Sub Dot, Nasalization

References

[1]	Bible Society of Nigeria (1996) Ebaibol Ẹdo. Bible Society of Nigeria. Apapa Lagos.
[2]	Isibor, O. (2019) Tie Ebe Ẹdo 1-3. Benson Idahosa University Centre for Ẹdo Studies. Benin City. West African Book Publishers Limited. Lagos.
[3]	Melzian, H. (1937) A Concise Dictionary of the Bini Language of Southern Nigeria. Paul Kegan. London.
[4]	Munro, D. A. (1967) An English Edo wordlist. Occasional publications no. 7, Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan. Ibadan. Nigeria.
[5]	Ọmọregie, J. O. (2005) Ẹdo names for cultural studies.“Emmanuel Publications, Benin City. Nigeria.
[6]	Omoregie, O. S. B. (2006) New Method Edo Series: Edo Language Course For UBE (Universal Basic Education) – Weekly Work Plan and the Instruction Manuals. OSBO Press. Benin City.
[7]	Omozuwa, V. E. (1987) L’Edo: Approches phonologique, Acoustique, et perceptuelle du sytème phonémique et du système tonémique. Doctoral dissertation, Université de Franche- Comté, Besançon. France.
[8]	Omozuwa, V. E. (1989) “Speech Tempo, Consonant Deletion and Tones in Edo Nouns”. Studies in African Linguistics, Vol. 20, No. 3; 317–337.
[9]	Omozuwa, V. E. (1990) “An experimental study of nasalization in Edo.” Journal of Asian and African Studies, 40; 35-50.
[10]	Omozuwa, V. E. (1993) “Vowel Elision, “Floating” Tone and Downstep in Edo VCV # VCV Constructions”. Afrika und Ubersee, Band 75; 253-266. also appeared in Journal of Asian and African Studies, No. 45. pgs. 17–30.
[11]	Omozuwa, V. E. (1996) “Vowel Elision, Tone and Nasalization in Edo. Segmental and Autosegmental Analysis”. Beiträge Zur Phonetik Und Linguistik (BEIPHOL): Misellen IX: pp. 185–204.
[12]	Omozuwa, V. E. (1996) “Edo R-sounds: a spectrographic study.” Beiträge Zur Phonetik und Linguistik, Miszellen IX; 205-237.
[13]	Omozuwa, V. E. (1997) “Vowel Elision and Tones in Edo CV # VCV (CV) Constructions”. Journal of Asian and African Studies, No. 53; 113-121.
[14]	Omozuwa, V. E. (1998) “Spectrographic study of Edo /ɹ/ and /l/.” Journal of the Phonetic Society of Japan, Vol. 2 No. 3; 93-103.
[15]	Omozuwa, V. E. (2003)@Tones in Ẹdo verbs: an experimental overview. Kiabara. Journal of Humanities. Vol. 9, no. 1; 57-65. University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt. Nigeria.
[16]	Ọmọzuwa, V. E. (2010) “Ẹdo Phonetics and Phonology. Ambik Press. Benin City. Nigeria.
[17]	Ọmọzuwa, V. E. (2012) Mr Wright, is saying it right necessarily writing it right? - understanding the ‘soundscape’ of a language for a better orthographic rendering. 125^th Inaugural Lectures Series, University of Benin, Benin City. 21^st June, 2012.
[18]	Ọmọzuwa, V. E. (2020) Wa Gia Gha Gbẹn Ẹdo Ẹse. Ambik Press. Benin City.

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Victor Ẹdosa Ọmọzuwa, Osaigbovo Obed Ẹvbuọmwa. (2021). Ẹdo Orthography: The Compelling Need for Harmonization and Standardization. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 9(6), 334-343. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17

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Victor Ẹdosa Ọmọzuwa; Osaigbovo Obed Ẹvbuọmwa. Ẹdo Orthography: The Compelling Need for Harmonization and Standardization. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2021, 9(6), 334-343. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17

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AMA Style

Victor Ẹdosa Ọmọzuwa, Osaigbovo Obed Ẹvbuọmwa. Ẹdo Orthography: The Compelling Need for Harmonization and Standardization. Int J Lang Linguist. 2021;9(6):334-343. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17

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@article{10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17,
  author = {Victor Ẹdosa Ọmọzuwa and Osaigbovo Obed Ẹvbuọmwa},
  title = {Ẹdo Orthography: The Compelling Need for Harmonization and Standardization},
  journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
  volume = {9},
  number = {6},
  pages = {334-343},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20210906.17},
  abstract = {The earliest attempts at reducing the Ẹdo language to writing were the singular efforts of the colonial administrators with the aim of facilitating communication with the people. Records show that the writing system of the time, and its subsequent post-colonial reviews, lack the basic criteria that characterize a good orthography and show evidences of the direct adoption of European (mostly English) writing systems for the language. This study presents primary data that include synchronic written texts by Ẹdo writers with the aim of examining whether or not the Ẹdo writing system (as currently used) is consistent with established principles of a good orthography. Results of the study reveal that the writings of the average Ẹdo writer violate the orthographic principles of consistency, simplicity, accuracy, one sound-one letter/digraph, and harmonization. A phonetic-based orthographic system made up of thirty-nine (39) letters of the roman alphabet representing each of the thirty-nine distinctive sounds in the language on a one sound-one letter/digraph basis, in addition to other writing conventions, is proposed for the language. It is recommended that immediate and deliberate steps should be taken by all relevant stakeholders to halt the glaring trend of a 'free-for-all' writing system by organizing regular specialized seminars, workshops and conferences, for the purpose of harmonizing and standardizing the Ẹdo orthography.},
 year = {2021}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Ẹdo Orthography: The Compelling Need for Harmonization and Standardization
AU  - Victor Ẹdosa Ọmọzuwa
AU  - Osaigbovo Obed Ẹvbuọmwa
Y1  - 2021/12/24
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17
T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
SP  - 334
EP  - 343
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17
AB  - The earliest attempts at reducing the Ẹdo language to writing were the singular efforts of the colonial administrators with the aim of facilitating communication with the people. Records show that the writing system of the time, and its subsequent post-colonial reviews, lack the basic criteria that characterize a good orthography and show evidences of the direct adoption of European (mostly English) writing systems for the language. This study presents primary data that include synchronic written texts by Ẹdo writers with the aim of examining whether or not the Ẹdo writing system (as currently used) is consistent with established principles of a good orthography. Results of the study reveal that the writings of the average Ẹdo writer violate the orthographic principles of consistency, simplicity, accuracy, one sound-one letter/digraph, and harmonization. A phonetic-based orthographic system made up of thirty-nine (39) letters of the roman alphabet representing each of the thirty-nine distinctive sounds in the language on a one sound-one letter/digraph basis, in addition to other writing conventions, is proposed for the language. It is recommended that immediate and deliberate steps should be taken by all relevant stakeholders to halt the glaring trend of a 'free-for-all' writing system by organizing regular specialized seminars, workshops and conferences, for the purpose of harmonizing and standardizing the Ẹdo orthography.
VL  - 9
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Victor Ẹdosa Ọmọzuwa
Osaigbovo Obed Ẹvbuọmwa

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Victor Ẹdosa Ọmọzuwa, Osaigbovo Obed Ẹvbuọmwa. (2021). Ẹdo Orthography: The Compelling Need for Harmonization and Standardization. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 9(6), 334-343. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17

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ACS Style

Victor Ẹdosa Ọmọzuwa; Osaigbovo Obed Ẹvbuọmwa. Ẹdo Orthography: The Compelling Need for Harmonization and Standardization. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2021, 9(6), 334-343. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17

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AMA Style

Victor Ẹdosa Ọmọzuwa, Osaigbovo Obed Ẹvbuọmwa. Ẹdo Orthography: The Compelling Need for Harmonization and Standardization. Int J Lang Linguist. 2021;9(6):334-343. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17

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@article{10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17,
  author = {Victor Ẹdosa Ọmọzuwa and Osaigbovo Obed Ẹvbuọmwa},
  title = {Ẹdo Orthography: The Compelling Need for Harmonization and Standardization},
  journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
  volume = {9},
  number = {6},
  pages = {334-343},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20210906.17},
  abstract = {The earliest attempts at reducing the Ẹdo language to writing were the singular efforts of the colonial administrators with the aim of facilitating communication with the people. Records show that the writing system of the time, and its subsequent post-colonial reviews, lack the basic criteria that characterize a good orthography and show evidences of the direct adoption of European (mostly English) writing systems for the language. This study presents primary data that include synchronic written texts by Ẹdo writers with the aim of examining whether or not the Ẹdo writing system (as currently used) is consistent with established principles of a good orthography. Results of the study reveal that the writings of the average Ẹdo writer violate the orthographic principles of consistency, simplicity, accuracy, one sound-one letter/digraph, and harmonization. A phonetic-based orthographic system made up of thirty-nine (39) letters of the roman alphabet representing each of the thirty-nine distinctive sounds in the language on a one sound-one letter/digraph basis, in addition to other writing conventions, is proposed for the language. It is recommended that immediate and deliberate steps should be taken by all relevant stakeholders to halt the glaring trend of a 'free-for-all' writing system by organizing regular specialized seminars, workshops and conferences, for the purpose of harmonizing and standardizing the Ẹdo orthography.},
 year = {2021}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Ẹdo Orthography: The Compelling Need for Harmonization and Standardization
AU  - Victor Ẹdosa Ọmọzuwa
AU  - Osaigbovo Obed Ẹvbuọmwa
Y1  - 2021/12/24
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17
T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
SP  - 334
EP  - 343
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20210906.17
AB  - The earliest attempts at reducing the Ẹdo language to writing were the singular efforts of the colonial administrators with the aim of facilitating communication with the people. Records show that the writing system of the time, and its subsequent post-colonial reviews, lack the basic criteria that characterize a good orthography and show evidences of the direct adoption of European (mostly English) writing systems for the language. This study presents primary data that include synchronic written texts by Ẹdo writers with the aim of examining whether or not the Ẹdo writing system (as currently used) is consistent with established principles of a good orthography. Results of the study reveal that the writings of the average Ẹdo writer violate the orthographic principles of consistency, simplicity, accuracy, one sound-one letter/digraph, and harmonization. A phonetic-based orthographic system made up of thirty-nine (39) letters of the roman alphabet representing each of the thirty-nine distinctive sounds in the language on a one sound-one letter/digraph basis, in addition to other writing conventions, is proposed for the language. It is recommended that immediate and deliberate steps should be taken by all relevant stakeholders to halt the glaring trend of a 'free-for-all' writing system by organizing regular specialized seminars, workshops and conferences, for the purpose of harmonizing and standardizing the Ẹdo orthography.
VL  - 9
IS  - 6
ER  -

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