Demarginalizing non-global languages: the

Konkomba language and literature

Tasun
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 Structure
 Introduction: World languages and power relations
 The Konkomba (KKB) people
 Insights into the KKB language (aka Likpakpaaln)
 Nature of KKB literature
 Conclusion

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 World Languages & Power Relations

 World living languages: 7,151; 23 spoken by ca. 88% of people

Source: Ethnologue: Languages of the World (25th Ed., Feb. 2022)

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 Living but endangered languages (2022)
 42.58% of the world’s languages might soon die!!

Source: Ethnologue: Languages of the World (25th Ed., Feb. 2022)

 Importance of digital visibility and documentation in attaining SDG-10

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 The Konkomba (KKB) People / Bikpakpaam
 Population: 1,090,000*** (Ghana)
112,000*** (Togo)
(credit: https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/10842)
 Geographical location: eastern corridor, Ghana
& north-western Togo
 Political org.: chiefs, elders, clan heads, family heads
 Inheritance: patrilineal
 Belief system: God, lesser gods, ancestors,
satan, evil spirits, reincarnation, etc.
 Festivals: Guinea corn festival (Ndipondaan), Yam
festival (Linujil/n-nudak), fire festival (naminsee)
 Traditional attire: smock (kikpalk), trad cloth (tangana)
 Occupation: farming and trading
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 Insights into Likpakpaaln
 Family: member of the Gur languages (aka Mabia languages)
Niger Congo → Proto-Gur → Central Gur → Gurma → Oti Volta → Likpakpaaln

 Dialects: Lichabol, Ligbeln, Likoonli, Limonkpeln, Linafeel, Linankpel, Likpalil

Linandeln, Lisagmaln, and Linalol

 Linguistic typology (syntax): SVO (e.g. Jagri chaa kisaak = Jagri goes to farm)
S V O

 Alphabets (aka ŋiŋmeebil): A, B, CH, D, E, F, G, GB, I, J, K, KP, L,

M, N, NY, Ŋ, ŊM, O, Ɔ, P, R, S, T, U, W, Y.
a, b, ch, d, e, f, g, gb, i, j, k, kp, l, m, n, ny, ŋ, ŋm, o, ɔ, p, r, s, t, u, w, y.

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 Likpakpaaln Alphabets (articulation)
 a (as in father) e.g. na (a mother), bar (reduce/decrease)  n (as in net) e.g. linuul (yam), njan (first)
 ŋ ( as in sing) e.g. ŋaan (cook/boil), kilɔlɔŋ (corner)
 b (as in boy) e.g. ubɔr (a chief), busub (a tree)  ŋm (no Engl. equivalent) e.g. ŋmɔ (chew), ŋma (who)
 ch (as in church) e.g. chapiln (forgiveness),  ny (no English equivalent) e.g. nya (go out/get out),
cheen (accompany), chain (pure) tinyoor (profit/benefit/blessings)
 d (as in dog) e.g. din (today), dawul (a gong)
 o (as in no) e.g. lijol (mountain/plateau), likoobil (taboo)
 e (as in eight/egg) e.g. kpe (add), ŋmee (write)
 ɔ (as in log/ball) e.g. mɔk (show/teach), libipɔnl (new year)
 f (as in fish) e.g. falaa (suffering), laafee (health)
 p (as in pick) e.g. paacham (up/above/heaven),
 g (as in go) e.g. gaakii (faith/belief), ligeln (part/section)
upiih (a sheep)
 gb (no English equivalent) e.g. gbi (dig), kigbaŋ (a book)
 r (as in rock) e.g. ipaar (benefit/profit)
 i (as in fit) e.g. ipiih (sheep), tikpin (soup)
 s (as in sit) e.g. kisaak (a farm)
 j (as in Jack) e.g. kijuk (knife), uŋɔja (billy goat)
 t (as in tip) e.g. litakpaal (a stone/rock), tilaar (laughter)
 k (as in kitchen) e.g. kiyik (a calabash), tikur (iron/fur)
 u (as in look) e.g. unaa (cow/bull), likuul (hoe/ tape/CD/DVD)
 kp (no English equivalent) e.g. uninkpel (an elder/boss),
 w (as in wish) e.g. Uwumbɔr (God), tiwan (thing/s),
jakpukpub (a motorbike), kpaan
 y (as in you) e.g. yoor (take/pick up/lift), liyimbil (a name)
(unite)
 l (as in lady) e.g. lijal (a stool/chair), limɔfal (life)
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 Likpakpaaln Literature
Nature: mostly oral, a few written texts (e.g. Bible
translation in 1977, a dictionary, teaching primers,
pamphlet of tales, riddles, etc.)

Text A: Greetings (Idoon)

Likpakpaaln aadoon
Jagri: Ndoo poa. / Aa (ni) ni nwiin / Kijook poaa?
Piigri: Laafea(a) / Laafee bi. Linampal poaa?
Jagri: Laafee bi. Mbim poaa? /
A chal poa?
Piigri: Laafee bi.
Jagri: Litunl poaa?/ Litunl bi kinye?
Piigri: Laafee bi. / Litunl ni mɔ.
Jagri: Ni ŋa n-yoonn.
Piigri: Tɔ, aadoon linampal.
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Greetings in Likpakpaaln
Jagri: Good morning. / Good afternoon / G. evening
Piigri: Good morning. How is the family?
Jagri: Fine/Doing well. How are the kids? /
How is your husband?
Piigri: Fine/Doing well.
Jagri: How is work?
Piigri: Fine. / Work is progressing well.
Jagri: See you later. / Till another time.
Piigri: Bye, say hello to your/the family.
 Sample text B: Song
Likpakpaaln
Taanaan bi ee
Taanaan bi paacham 2x
Aa-leluya, taanaan bi ee
Taanaan bi paacham
Ho-siana, taanaan bi ee
Taanaan bi paacham.
Taa-na-an bi ee…! (Tenor intones
and all repeat the song.)
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English
We have a kingdom
We have a kingdom in heaven 2x
Alleluia, we have a kingdom
We have a kingdom in heaven
Hosanna, we have a kingdom
We have a kingdom in heaven.
We have a kingdom…! (Tenor intones
and all repeat the song.)
You may watch a live performance of the song @
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MosxCNSp9Ko
Or listen to the audio @ https://youtu.be/Y1KRvb_BzrM
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 Sample Text C: A Konkomba Folktale
Tiwan Nin Bo Ulangben Aachaŋ Jekr Na (Why
the Wasp Has a Tiny Waist)
Introduction: Njeen + Kinachuŋ M faa mbiin ee
Ni bi le ki bi aa, …. Ulangben le, ulangben aamaantɔl Garwa si ee, ki u si ee garwa. (2x)
ni ulangben aah bi na, bi yaa gbaa nkpaawiin ee
ulangben aa cha; bi yaa kan likpuul ee, bi kan ni na
kan ulangben aah cha. Le ni bi ki bi le ulangben Gum gum gum gum
aachoo nan kpo. Ulangben aachoo aah kpo na,
ulangben ke uchoo kpo. Le bi bue, “Ulangben, sin le Garwa si ee, ki u si ee garwa.
aa chaa likpuul, sin le aa chaa nkpaawiin; ubaa aa Tou tilouti
cha. Ulangben baanja, le ulangben fii le ki yoor
ligangaln, ki yoor tibann ki di buu, ki yoor kiloŋ ki di bal, Garwa si ee, ki u si ee garwa.
ki yoor kichɔk ki di bal, ki yoor uduun ki di ŋmam, ki Chakta chakta
yoor tinachinchen mɔmɔk ki di buu uchaŋ ni. Waah
buu ti doo na, le u fii ler nsan bo ki cha; le ki lee nlahn Garwa si ee, ki u si ee garwa.
lii:
(To read the English translation, you may visit
https://indigenousartforms.wordpress.com/why-the-wasp- M faa mbiin ee
has-a-tiny-waist.) Garwa si ee, ki u si ee garwaaa.

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 Conclusion: Advantages of demarginalizing non-global
languages

 Demarginalizing non-global languages will:

1. provide us with alternative sources of knowledge
2. promote intercultural exchanges
3. facilitate knowledge transfer
4. provide avenues for collaborations
5. help achieve UN’s Agenda 2030’s goal #10:

“Reduce inequality within and among countries”

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 THE END

NI NI LITULN!! DANKE!! THANK YOU!!

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