A New Yoruba Transcript?
Toyin Falola
In the year 1843, Samuel Ajayi Crowther published the first dictionary of the Yoruba Language. Prior to this publication were meeting of minds between Crowther and some Muslim and CMS scholars of that era. This series of meetings culminated in the adoption of Latin Alphabets to convey the Yoruba mindset. This was however not without modifications. These modifications gave birth to the use of accents - ami oke, ami isale, fagun, etc as well as the introduction of some special alphabets - gb and sh, ? and ?. Over the years however, the use of these peculiar characters has retarded the growth of the language vis a vis other languages in the world.
The raison d'etre of Yorubax Transcript is to remove these impediments and bring the Yoruba language forward, at par with other high-level languages of the world. Transcript discards with the use of accents. The ami okes, ami isales and faguns are replaced with simple, easy to learn and simple to write alphabetic codes through a process called Differentiation; while the gb and sh are also dealt with through a process called Regeneration. Transcript is a ten year research project that have proven worthwhile. It simplifies the art of writing in Yoruba, and makes it so beautiful, beyond your wildest imagination. With Transcript, our texts no longer have those weird accents.
Have you ever tried to count from one to one million? What is 404,566, what is 99,382? Transcript have the answers, in the simplest of form. What about dates? Transcript also makes this a forever possibility. The North and South of Nigeria was amalgamated in 1914, how do you convey this in Yoruba. In Yorubax Transcript, this is transcripted as Oddun Essanla Errinla. This ten year research project has given birth to a 10,000 word dictionary of Yorubax Transcript complete with 1000 common Yorubax proverbs which simplifies the art of writing in Yorubax Transcript. Just read it, know it and write it.
Yoruba Language Has Just Changed
oju to fara bale nii rimu,
E fara balè
Ikanju o se j'eja eleegun
E fara balè!
Eni fara balè a j'èdo igbin
Eni ti o kanju lo le s'orè abiyamo
Amodun o jinna kèni ma meebu sunjè
Bagba ba fara balè yoo babèrè
Transcript
Ojuir t’ous f’arrar ballel nirn r’imurn
Est f’arrar ballel
Hikanjuir ous zeit j’ejja eleagun
Ennin t’ous f’arrar ballel nirn r’imurn eagunt
Est f’arrar ballel
Ennin f’arrar ballel as j’eddor ivin
Ennin t’ous kanjuir ous leit z’aurer abiyamaux
Amoddun ous jinnan qu’ennin mar m’ebur suwnjer.
B’havar bas f’arrar ballel yious baur’berrex
I have good news for you, the Yoruba language has just changed. Welcome to Yoruba language New Version.
Once upon a time, the Yoruba language was written with various accents called ami oke - ?´ , ami isale - ?` , and faegun - e.Once upon a time we use to have ?, ?, in Yoruba texts.Once upon a time we use some unconventional alphabets called gb, and sh in Yoruba language.
Good News
The good news is that all those are now gone with the wind.There is a new version of Yoruba Orthography. There is a new way to write that beautiful language called Yoruba. This new version is called Yorubax Transcript..
The new and easier way to write the Yoruba Language. Transcript does not use accents or the unconventional alphabets. Transcript converts these accents into easy to write alphabetical codes through a method called differentiation.
The unconventional alphabets are also replaced with conventional ones through a method called Regeneration.
The result of this ten year research program - a new version of Yoruba, Yoruba without accents.
A look at the Transcript version of Akinwumi Isola's poem - AFAIMO, in contradistinction to the old Yoruba version on the right column will give you a first taste of how Transcript has transformed the topographic landscape of Yoruba literature. . .
--
Toyin Falola
Department of History
The University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station
Austin, TX 78712-0220
USA
512 475 7224
512 475 7222 (fax)
www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa
Remi Raji
But this might just be an elixir to a sound mind and body, something desirable to others but probably not necessary for many. Makes me feel like we are returning to some of the well-worn issues treated and already flogged in this space: tone vs accent; numeralization, and more.
So what happened to Yoruba language script between the year after 1843 and say 1943? Retardation? Stagnation? Where are the references to the other influential works done in the 20 th century? And what is the alphabet/sound "x" doing in the name given to the new transcript? so now, I am told that accents are weird? Who is in the provocative box?
Oddun? Essanla? Errinla? I must go to Brazil or Oyotunji to learn my own language...and return with double lisps? Eewo! I like innovations but not "inovations" mis-spelt!
Remi
Toyin Falola <toyin....@mail.utexas.edu> wrote:
Need Mail bonding?
Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users.
Dr. Valentine Ojo
The so-called "new transcription" has no discernible advantages over the
old one - it actually merely makes things a lot more complex, introducing
letters and sounds that are totally foreign to, and non-existent in,
Yoruba.
I will rather settle for tones, diacritics o0r sub-dots.
Dr. Valentine Ojo
Tall Timbers, Maryland
> The subject is apt: it is qualified by a sickle-shaped question mark
> (reminds me of my father's cocoa-farming days).
>
> But this might just be an elixir to a sound mind and body, something
> desirable to others but probably not necessary for many. Makes me feel
> like we are returning to some of the well-worn issues treated and already
> flogged in this space: tone vs accent; numeralization, and more.
> So what happened to Yoruba language script between the year after 1843 and
> say 1943? Retardation? Stagnation? Where are the references to the other
> influential works done in the 20 th century? And what is the
> alphabet/sound "x" doing in the name given to the new transcript? so now,
> I am told that accents are weird? Who is in the provocative box?
> Oddun? Essanla? Errinla? I must go to Brazil or Oyotunji to learn my own
> language...and return with double lisps? Eewo! I like innovations but not
> "inovations" mis-spelt!
>
> Remi
>
>
>
>
> Toyin Falola <toyin....@mail.utexas.edu> wrote: A New Yoruba
> Transcript?
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> http://www.yorubaclub.com/scgi-bin/editor/print.pl
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> http://www.yorubaclub.com/images/debut.2.jpg
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> A project by Deji Olaiya
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> ---------------------------------
> E Fara Balè
> oju to fara bale nii rimu,
> E fara balè
> Ikanju o se j'eja eleegun
> E fara balè!
> Eni fara balè a j'èdo igbin
> Eni ti o kanju lo le s'orè abiyamo
> Amodun o jinna kèni ma meebu sunjè
> Bagba ba fara balè yoo babèrè
>
>
> Transcript
>
> ---------------------------------
> ---------------------------------
KolaT
Excuse me, what on earth is this? What Transcript? Who is advocating this?
Submitting Yoruba langauge to some exoteric French or something?
I do not understand. Just when I thought we have begun to make progress in advanced
application of technology to Yoruba language development, then this.
OK, maybe I am getting ahead of myself for nothing. Could somebody please explain
the import of this and where this is leading. I can already see several Yoruba
students and scholars in our Yoruba Institutions shaking their heads.
-Kola Akintola Thomas
Seeking some understanding
--- Toyin Falola <toyin....@mail.utexas.edu> wrote:
>
>
> http://www.yorubaclub.com/scgi-bin/editor/print.pl
>
> http://www.yorubaclub.com/images/debut.2.jpg
>
> A project by Deji Olaiya
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> E Fara Balè
> oju to fara bale nii rimu,
> E fara balè
> Ikanju o se j'eja eleegun
> E fara balè!
> Eni fara balè a j'èdo igbin
> Eni ti o kanju lo le s'orè abiyamo
> Amodun o jinna kèni ma meebu sunjè
> Bagba ba fara balè yoo babèrè
>
>
> Transcript
>
> Est F’arrar Ballel
> Ojuir t’ous f’arrar ballel nirn r’imurn
> Est f’arrar ballel
> Hikanjuir ous zeit j’ejja eleagun
> Ennin t’ous f’arrar ballel nirn r’imurn eagunt
> Est f’arrar ballel
> Ennin f’arrar ballel as j’eddor ivin
> Ennin t’ous kanjuir ous leit z’aurer abiyamaux
> Amoddun ous jinnan qu’ennin mar m’ebur suwnjer.
> B’havar bas f’arrar ballel yious baur’berrex
>
> Learn Transcript at
> <http://www.yorubaclub.com>www.yorubaclub.com
> <http://www.yorubaclub.com>Click on this Link to visit us at Yorubaclub Dublin
Ayo Salami
Gentle people:
Excuse me, what on earth is this? What Transcript? Who is advocating this?
Submitting Yoruba langauge to some exoteric French or something?
I do not understand. Just when I thought we have begun to make progress in advanced
application of technology to Yoruba language development, then this.
OK, maybe I am getting ahead of myself for nothing. Could somebody please explain
the import of this and where this is leading. I can already see several Yoruba
students and scholars in our Yoruba Institutions shaking their heads.
-Kola Akintola Thomas
Seeking some understanding
> Click on this Link to visit us at Yorubaclub Dublin
>
> --
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Toyin Falola
> Department of History
> The University of Texas at Austin
> 1 University Station
> Austin, TX 78712-0220
> USA
> 512 475 7224
> 512 475 7222 (fax)
> www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa
> >
>
Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast
with theYahoo! Search weather shortcut.
jare Ajayi
Gentle people:
Excuse me, what on earth is this? What Transcript? Who is advocating this?
Submitting Yoruba langauge to some exoteric French or something?
I do not understand. Just when I thought we have begun to make progress in advanced
application of technology to Yoruba language development, then this.
OK, maybe I am getting ahead of myself for nothing. Could somebody please explain
the import of this and where this is leading. I can already see several Yoruba
students and scholars in our Yoruba Institutions shaking their heads.
-Kola Akintola Thomas
Seeking some understanding
> Click on this Link to visit us at Yorubaclub Dublin
>
> --
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Toyin Falola
> Department of History
> The University of Texas at Austin
> 1 University Station
> Austin, TX 78712-0220
> USA
> 512 475 7224
> 512 475 7222 (fax)
> www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa
> >
>
Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.
ronke.a...@mail.ui.edu.ng
learn this "corruption" called New Yoruba Transcript.
> http://www.yorubaclub.com/scgi-bin/editor/print.pl
>
> http://www.yorubaclub.com/images/debut.2.jpg
>
> A project by Deji Olaiya
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> E Fara Balè
> oju to fara bale nii rimu,
> E fara balè
> Ikanju o se j'eja eleegun
> E fara balè!
> Eni fara balè a j'èdo igbin
> Eni ti o kanju lo le s'orè abiyamo
> Amodun o jinna kèni ma meebu sunjè
> Bagba ba fara balè yoo babèrè
>
>
> Transcript
>
> Est F’arrar Ballel
> Ojuir t’ous f’arrar ballel nirn r’imurn
> Est f’arrar ballel
> Hikanjuir ous zeit j’ejja eleagun
> Ennin t’ous f’arrar ballel nirn r’imurn eagunt
> Est f’arrar ballel
> Ennin f’arrar ballel as j’eddor ivin
> Ennin t’ous kanjuir ous leit z’aurer abiyamaux
> Amoddun ous jinnan qu’ennin mar m’ebur suwnjer.
> B’havar bas f’arrar ballel yious baur’berrex
>
> Learn Transcript at
> <http://www.yorubaclub.com>www.yorubaclub.com
> <http://www.yorubaclub.com>Click on this Link to visit us at Yorubaclub
Jimi O. Adesina
I can understand the urge to do something in a context when keyboards don't
provide for the adequate rendition of your language. I suspect that this is
the drive behind Deji Olaiya's "new yoruba transcript". But when are we
going to learn to stop re-inventing the wheel; raising our own little bands
and marching off into oblivion, listening only to the sounds of our own
tunes. Won ni, eni ti o n ko orin ti ko dun, o sa nfeti ara e gbo.
Did we really listen to what Professor Bamgbose had to say some months back
on this kind of unproductive ventures. Can those of us away from home please
try listening more and realise that the critical effort and scale of
activities happening back home among Yoruba language scholars is far to be
preferred to our isolated efforts as "area study specialists" among people
who can't tell the difference between ogun (war) and Ogun.
If this is good news for Yoruba language, what will bad news sound like? 'E'
becomes "Est? Oju becomes "Ojuir"? Is that a language from Mars?
Sorry to sound harsh but if we do not nip these kind of efforts in the bud,
our collective project will be undermined.
Regards,
Olujimi Adesina
--oOo--
'Jimi O. Adesina, PhD
Professor of Sociology,
Department of Sociology,
Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa.
Tel: +27 (0) 46 603 8172 (W)
Fax: +27 (0) 46 622 5570 (W)
Fax: +27 (0)86 517 0557 (Personal)
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 353 1041
E-mail: J.Ad...@ru.ac.za
ANTHONY ATTAH AGBALI
However, having noted that, Nigerians are in evolutionary flux all the times. This might just be a certain modal shifting paradigm. Therefore, given that this is a product of ten years of research, it is worthwhile from whom perspective this is coming from. Is this new attempt a sociolinguistic shift within the mode of let say younger Yoruba speakers? Or is this a personal/private project of what an individual supposes the "new" Yoruba to be or become?
Hence, if there is a sociolinguistic "experiential" drive, especially motivated by a given or multiple speech community, then it is essential that this project is not rejected outright. However, if any cogent evaluation supposes that this is driven by the motor of individual attempts at experimentation, then it should be seen for what it is, as an experiment in linguistics that merely utilizes the Yoruba as its frame of linguistic reference, and therefore, not to be confused for the current legitimate lexical structures.
As for linguistic research, it must be noted that anyone can do whatever they wish with anything, but only the linguistic audience- or the speech community- would approve what they would sanction as formal structures. Therefore, let us be subtly so as not to discourage research, but let us be vocal in asserting which directions of linguistic research is acceptable and legitimate.
Oyewale Tomori
> Ojuir t’ous f’arrar ballel nirn r’imurn
> Est f’arrar ballel
> Hikanjuir ous zeit j’ejja eleagun
> Ennin t’ous f’arrar ballel nirn r’imurn eagunt
> Est f’arrar ballel
> Ennin f’arrar ballel as j’eddor ivin
> Ennin t’ous kanjuir ous leit z’aurer abiyamaux
> Amoddun ous jinnan qu’ennin mar m’ebur suwnjer.
> B’havar bas f’arrar ballel yious baur’berrex
>
I saw the above in my mail. I know I have just been discharged from the hospital, but what I went in for neither affected my brain, nor my sight. Please tell me I am right!
Oyewale
Km 46 Lagos-Ibadan Express Road
P. O Box 7914, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria
tel: 234 1 7931780, cell: 234 (0) 8034996524
website: www.run.edu.ng
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 10:09:28 -0800
From: ogu...@yahoo.com
Subject: Yoruba Affairs - Re: A New Yoruba Transcript?
To: yoruba...@googlegroups.com
MO fi towotowo ki gbogbo eyin ojogbon o. Opolo wa o nii rele de wa o.E dakun sebi awon Yoruba powe won ni 'ai leran ogongo, bii ka fi we tadigbonrannku ni bi'? Bi kiko sile ede taa ni lowo o ba tie koju osunwon to, bii ka ko gbogbo e danu ni bi? Se ori bibe loogun ori fifo ni? abi bawo leeyan o ti da omo atomi nu? Ko si ede ohun laye to pe tanOna ti eyi taa ni yoo fi dara lo ye ka moo wa; kii se ka da gbogbo e nu patapata.Bi a ba ri ona ti a le fi gbe ami ti n be lori orin kiko (d r m f s l t d') wo inu yoruba, iba dara pupo tori baa ba fiye si, beeyan ba n so Yoruba, o dabi eni ti n korin. Bi orin kiko o ba ni ami idanimo, orin ohun di otubante.E dakun e menu kuro nidi ido.... eyi o dara; tue, mo sinto adanu sigbo
Gentle people:
Excuse me, what on earth is this? What Transcript? Who is advocating this?
Submitting Yoruba langauge to some exoteric French or something?
I do not understand. Just when I thought we have begun to make progress in advanced
application of technology to Yoruba language development, then this.
OK, maybe I am getting ahead of myself for nothing. Could somebody please explain
the import of this and where this is leading. I can already see several Yoruba
students and scholars in our Yoruba Institutions shaking their heads.
-Kola Akintola Thomas
Seeking some understanding
--- Toyin Falola wrote:
>
>
> Click on this Link to visit us at Yorubaclub Dublin
>
> --
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Toyin Falola
> Department of History
> The University of Texas at Austin
> 1 University Station
> Austin, TX 78712-0220
> USA
> 512 475 7224
> 512 475 7222 (fax)
> www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa
> >
>
Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast
Ade Oyegbola
My fellow AYOG members,
Before we start another time wasting, mindless and senseless analysis of the so called YorubaX Transcript.
I think the first and last thing we should ask is:
WHO IS DEJI OLAIYA?
Ire O
Adé G Oyegbọla
LANCOR
Dr. Valentine Ojo
try listening more and realise that the critical effort and scale of
activities happening back home among Yoruba language scholars is far to be
preferred to our isolated efforts as "area study specialists" among people
who can't tell the difference between ogun (war) and Ogun."
"area study specialists" indeed!
In typical African style, is everyone not forever trying to carve a
"special niche" for themselves - like the man who conjured up "Kwanza" for
our African American cousins, rather than African Americans trying to
revamp and modernize an authentic African celebration with which ALL
peoples of African descent can identify - no matter from where - like the
Jews did about their own culture and Judaism?
E kaabo s'ori eto yi o! Or should that now be rendered as:
Er karbor ser orir etoz yir or - or whetever?
Dr. Valentine Ojo
Tall Timbers, Maryland
>