Spelling Matters

If you don't get the spelling system right, it's hard to read and even harder to write. You need community consensus on how to spell, so that one system is accepted and used across the whole language area.

Phil has been working with about 15 Nimboran community leaders. They come on foot and motorbike in the blazing heat from 10 different villages, keen to work. Based on the previous work of linguist Kevin May (and others), Phil has been helping them to understand what happens when different sounds in their language come together, and the pros and cons of different spelling choices.

Genyem--a holistic approach

With Papuan and expat partners, a number of community development and sustainability strategies are being discussed including health training, local income-generation, and a Christian University near the main town of Genyem which would service our language area and beyond.

Another thing the people are keen to do is develop a Nimboran language curriculum in primary schools. The issue of spelling has been a major obstacle which we hope to overcome together.

Kemtuik high school children hitch a ride with Philip back to their village.

How should we spell our language?

At Philip's suggestion, the committee arranged for a Nimboran spelling workshop. These men are reading a traditional story aloud to test run some spelling systems.

Pak Philemon suggests a spelling change to Pak Willem for one of the songs he's translated from the Indonesian hymn book.

People try writing down some short stories..

..and discuss different ways of spelling some words.

Ibu Nelly, visiting for the day, is keen for a translation in her mother tongue, nearby Mlap. Philip is helping her adapt the Kemtuik text into Mlap using a language software called Adapt It.

Pak Thomas, left, was the Mays' main language assistant, and is now chairman of the translation committee. Pak Yohanis, right, is the secretary. He is holding three chapters that he'd translated earlier and is saying to the older men I need your help to choose the best words and to get this straight.

The spelling workshop was interrupted by a surprise visit from the local military commander. He'd heard that some westerners were at a gathering and wanted to know what was going on.