Reference Dialect in Yamba orthography development: the question of cultural equality, identity construction and traditional diplomacy (original) (raw)

An orthography of any language is meant to facilitate the socio-linguistic development of people. In a multilectal language like Yamba, the choice of the dialect is primordial since it puts to question the cultural equality, linguistic identity construction and the cohesion of the people. Ignoring traditional diplomacy in such a task is suicidal given that there is a high level of identity awareness in any distinct linguistic group. The Yamba language in Cameroon has experienced reticence in the usage of its writing system developed 30 years ago due to an oversight of the linguistic equality, identity construction and the use of traditional diplomacy practiced over the centuries in the area to hold the people together. This paper seeks to set a new paradigm in orthography development in multilectal languages like Yamba whose survival are most of the time compromised on the altar of linguistic consideration. Peace is a priced commodity in the contemporary world and therefore traditional diplomacy will guarantee cultural equality, and identity construction.