Introduction

Introduction (from the 1982 lexicon, with some updates).

This Daba - French - Fulfulde lexicon represents the work of systematic study of the vocabulary of the Daba language. It is a Chadic language, classified under the Matakam-Mandara Group by Westermann and Bryan, and in the Biu-Mandara Branch by Carl Hoffmann. D. Barreteau classifies this language under the Central Branch, Daba Group. The most recent classification is Afro-Asiatic, Chadian, Biu-Mandara, A, A.7 (Ethnologue 2019)

Daba is spoken by about 24,000 inhabitants in Cameroon. They are located in the Far North region of Cameroon, in the Mayo-Tsanaga Department, in the Bourrah and Hina Districts; as well as in the North region, in the Mayo-Louti Department, in the Mayo-Oulo and Guider Districts, in the northwest of Guider.

We are aware that this book is far from perfect or complete. We would be very grateful for any proposal for modification, change, rectification, which could help us to improve and perfect this lexicon, whether in Daba, Fulfulde or French.

This lexicon will serve two different types of users:

It will primarily serve the Daba speaker who would like to know how to write in the language with the new Cameroonian alphabet and who would like to acquire some knowledge of words in French and Fulfulde.
It will also serve the non-speaker of the Daba language who wants to learn this language.

We express our deep gratitude to all those who have faithfully helped us to develop this lexicon. We would like to thank Mr. Karimoun Nayi from Guélen, Mr. Sali of Douroum, Mr. Mal Oumarou of Maroua and Mr. Souaibou Haman of Mandama who with great perseverance collected the entries in Fulfulde. Our thanks also go to Mr. Mohammadou Eldridge of Garoua, Mr. Souleimanou, Mr. Silas Siddi and Mrs. Broccard of Maroua who assisted us in checking the entries in Fulfulde and French.

This lexicon has been edited by two SIL members working in Cameroon under the aegis of the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation and feasibility of research on Cameroonian languages.

Ruth Lienhard and Marti Giger