A Grammatical Sketch of Rugciriku (Rumanyo)

Author: Wilhelm J.G. Möhlig †. Series edited by: Wilhelm J.G. Möhlig †, Bernd Heine.

Series: GA Grammatical Analyses of African Languages Volume 26

2005
136 pp.
1 map, numerous tables and charts, subject index
Text language(s): English
Format: 160 x 240 mm
290 g
Paperback
€ 36.80

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Rugciriku (K.334) is one of two dialects of Rumanyo (K.70), a Bantu language spoken in the region around the middle Kavango (Namibia / Angola) with some estimated 120,000 speakers. Considering its literature written by several native authors and its constant presence in the regional radio, it seems to be the culturally most active language of the four Kavango languages of today. Since 1988 a standardised orthography exists that although it was introduced by the apartheid government is fully accepted by the population by now. The present work therefore follows these orthographic rules.

The grammar comprises all fields of language structure. First, the phonetic and tonal system is described. The main part includes the nominal, pronominal and verbal categories as well as syntax, including complex sentence structures. Secondly, two linguistic interlinear text analyses, a word list of the used vocabulary (Rugciriku-English, English-Rugciriku), a bibliography and a subject index complete the study.

Rugciriku is object of the Collaborative Research Centre 389 Kultur- und Landschaftswandel im ariden Afrika (1995–2007) at the University of Cologne, Germany. The present study offers the scientific public further basic linguistic material of this collaborative research centre in a professionally edited manner. It is therefore an important component for the historio-linguistic comparison of the whole Northern Namibian area. Moreover it can be used as a practical reference book and linguistic instruction.

The author of the work is occupied with the Rugciriku since 1965. In 1967, he published a dissertation in German language in which the prosodic structure of this language is the focus of interest. In 2005 the extensive A Dictionary of the Rumanyo Language. Rumanyo-English / English-Rumanyo. Including a Grammatical Sketch was published in collaboration with a native counterpart. Up to now a systematic grammar considering the whole linguistic structure was missing.

Under these links you will find publications by the author, descriptions of further languages and cultures of the Kavango region and studies of its ethnohistory:

Accompanying material:

• A Dictionary of the Rumanyo Language (ISBN 978-3-89645-601-4)
• A Grammar of Yeyi (ISBN 978-3-89645-549-9)
• A Tonal Grammar of Kwanyama (ISBN 978-3-89645-084-5)
• A Tonal Grammar of Kwanyama (ISBN 978-3-89645-980-0)
• Ethnographie des Sprachwechsels (ISBN 978-3-927620-25-4)
• Konzeptualisierung von Landschaft im Mbukushu (K.333/K.43) Bantusprache in Nord-Namibia) (ISBN 978-3-89645-600-7)
• Lucazi Grammar (ISBN 978-3-89645-038-8)
• Namibian Languages (ISBN 978-3-89645-080-7)
• The Kavango Peoples in the Past (ISBN 978-3-89645-353-2)
• The Mbukushu in Angola (ISBN 978-3-89645-350-1)

Cross-reference:

• “Grandmother’s Footsteps” (ISBN 978-3-89645-056-2)
• A War for People (ISBN 978-3-89645-362-4)
• Atlas of Kamba Dialects (Kenya Bantu E.55) (ISBN 978-3-89645-708-0)
• Der Caprivizipfel während der deutschen Kolonialzeit 1890–1914 (ISBN 978-3-89645-050-0)
• Die südafrikanische Militärverwaltung (1915–1920) und die frühe Mandatszeit (1920–1936) in der Kavango-Region / Namibia (ISBN 978-3-89645-360-0)
• Frühe Kolonialgeschichte Namibias, 1880–1930 (ISBN 978-3-89645-058-6)
• Reference Grammar of Herero (Otjiherero) (ISBN 978-3-89645-602-1)
• The Bantu Languages of the Kenya Coast (ISBN 978-3-89645-716-5)
• Trommeln in der Kirche (ISBN 978-3-89645-917-6)

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