RESEARCHERS DEVELOP GURENE-ENGLISH DICTIONARY {P.11) 05/12/07

Story: Kofi Yeboah
A major breakthrough in the development of local linguistics has been made with the launch of a Gurene-English dictionary.
The dictionary, according to academic linguists, would go a long way to preserve the Gurene language, which is spoken by the people of Bolgatanga, Bongo and Nankani, all in the Upper East Region of the country.
The Gurene-English dictionary, which comes in two volumes, has about 5,000 word entries covering religion, medicines, funerals, music and food, among other areas.
The document, which was initiated by three researchers under the leadership of Prof M. E. Kropp Dakubu in 1993, indicates how words in Gurene are pronounced and their references in English.
Presenting an overview of the book, Prof Dakubu said although the dictionary was not complete, it was better to have such a material than nothing at all.
She expressed the hope that the document would be revised and improved in the future to cover wider areas.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof Kwesi Yankah, who launched the book, said the Gurene-English dictionary had come at a time when potent forces of globalisation sought to threaten the existence of local languages.
He commended the researchers for their initiative and indicated that the University of Ghana had decided to tremendously boost funds for research in order to strengthen that core function of the university.
In an address delivered on his behalf, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Prof Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw, underlined the importance of local language to Ghanaians, saying it was a strong vehicle to reach out to others.
He said the UEW recognised the need to develop the culture and value systems of Ghanaians, adding that the university would endeavour to develop a strong sense of indigenous Ghanaian languages in students.
Prof Asabere-Ameyaw expressed the hope that the dictionary would be useful as resource material for scholarship in Ghana and as reference material in other countries.
He expressed disappointment that the nation had not invested enough time and money in the study of Ghanaian languages and called for a change in that respect.
The Dean of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ghana, Prof Emmanuel Kweku Osam, who chaired the ceremony, said the launch of the dictionary marked a landmark in terms of language research and teaching for the country.
A development organisation of the Frafras in northern Ghana, BONABOTO, donated GH¢5,000 (¢50 million) towards the development of the Gurene language.