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A Phonetic and Phonological Account of the Civili Vowel Duration
Author(s): Hugues Steve Ndinga-Koumba-Binza (Author)
- Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
- Publication Date: 14 Mar. 2012
- Edition: 1st
- Language: English
- Print length: 325 pages
- ISBN-10: 1443836095
- ISBN-13: 9781443836098
Book Description
This is an experimental phonetic investigation into the vowel duration system of Civili, an indigenous language spoken in Gabon and some of its neighboring countries. Apart from providing insight into how mother-tongue speakers articulate and perceive certain vowels, it contributes significantly to the establishment of a credible orthography for this language. Speech data acquired through extensive fieldwork were analyzed acoustically to determine sound qualities, after which perception tests were administered to determine how listeners perceive vowel sounds in different environments. The findings are of significance for linguistic descriptions per se, as well as for eventual use in the field of human language technologies. This seven-chapter book is mainly intended for an expert readership and for students of phonetics and phonology.
Editorial Reviews
Review
‘Ndinga-Koumba-Binza’s work contributes to the description of Bantu languages, the documentation of a lesser-studied language, and to understanding the phonetic correlates of vowel length, an issue subject to many interpretations in the study of phonological systems (Fox 2000, pp. 33-34). Although he describes in the “Preface” that he “was introduced (to Civili) at age 11” (p. viii), he does not rely on his knowledge alone but conducts this experimental study to confirm many of his own impressionistic descriptions. His work on Civili spans many years of research, and constitutes a milestone in the study of this language.’ – Yolanda Rivera Castillo, LINGUIST List 24.2902 (July 2013),
About the Author
Dr Hugues Steve Ndinga-Koumba-Binza works as Research Fellow at the Centre for Text Technology, North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa. He is also Assistant Professor at Omar Bongo University in Libreville, Gabon. He specializes in phonetics and phonology applied to speech technologies in African languages. He has authored and co-authored numerous publications, including his latest book Civili, langue des Baloango: Esquisse historique et linguistique (co-author: P. A. Mavoungou) published by Lincom Europa (2010). He was formerly attached with the Stellenbosch University Centre for Language and Speech Technology.
