Alphabet and Orthography Statement For Fulfulde ... - SIL Cameroon

Alphabet and Orthography Statement
For Fulfulde [FUB] Ajamiya
(Found in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Central African Republic)
By Scott Clark, MA
SIL
B.P. 1299
Yaoundé, Cameroon
2007

Introduction:
Alphabet and Orthography Statement For Fulfulde [FUB] Ajamiya
By Scott Clark, M.A.
Language: Fulfulde [Ethnologue code: FUB]
(Spoken in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Central African Republic)
The alphabet described in this document is the result of many years of research, which began in
the early 1960’s by Dr. Kristian Skulberg of Norway (in Ngaoundéré, Cameroon). Ron Nelson and the
Sawtu Linjiila staff (a Fulfulde media and radio organization) continued his work in the 1980’s. By
1990, the orthography was well established. The orthography in the present statement has not
significantly changed since that time. In 1998, at the JCMWA/MICCAO conference in Ngaoundéré,
Cameroon; over 100 representatives from 14 West African countries agreed that this orthography would
be a good standard for writing the Fulfulde language with Arabic script (called Ajamiya).
One of the first Roman script orthographies for Fulfulde was developed by F.W. Taylor in the
1930’s (see his dictionary, 1932). In 1966, a unified Roman script orthography was recommended by
UNESCO at the ‘Meeting of Experts for the Unification of Alphabets of the National Languages’ held at
Bamako, Mali. The orthography proposed in this paper is based on the phonology statement for
Adamawa Fulfulde [FUB] found in Stennis, 1967.
In 2002 a computer program was developed by Mark Rogalski and myself to “transliterate” the
Roman script Fulfulde into Ajamiya script Fulfulde. It is still not 100% accurate and needs to be
proofread for mistakes. The following Alphabet and Orthography Statement is presented in order to
make the most accurate transliteration possible while maintaining as much as possible indigenous
Ajamiya conventions of the [FUB] Fulfulde dialect (abbreviations are on page 18).
The Consonants:
(The vowels will be introduced on page 14)
Arabic alphabetical order (Abjadi) is adopted here showing the Ajamiya grapheme, Fulfulde name and
,camamlu [], ,jiimi [d]+ -haa baaluul [g],
phoneme 1 : -aliifi [`9]+ ,bee [a], -tee [s]+
-g`` sn¬¬tœfnk Zw\+ -deeli [c], ذ -zaali [\+ ,arre [], -zayra [y], -siini [r],
-ciini [s]or[]or[r], -saadi [s ], ض -baadi [d ], ,…``ch Z…\+ ظ -zaadi [ ], –ayni [],
,`œf`mh Zf\+ ,fee [e], -gaafu [], -keefu [j], -laamu [k], -miimi [l], -nuunu [m],
ھ -hakabeere [g], -waawu [v], -yah [i], -hamaza [] -- ِIn addition, five Non-Arabic
phonemes are found in Fulfulde; the symbols chosen to represent these sounds are:
,¬dd ln…t Z∫\+ ,›`g ln…t Zx \ + -pee [o], ,nya Z¯\+ and ,œttmt d `œf`mh Zœ\- These
five characters are still under discussion. However, they have been used with good understanding for the last
twenty years in Cameroon, with the exception of the p. The p has been recently adopted after a thorough
search of the contemporary use of Ajamiya in Northern Cameroon (see Orthography Report of Special
Letters, March 2006 by myself). Several Arabic sounds and their corresponding consonants are NOT used in
1
See Appendix 1 for the chart of these letters in Abajada order (Warsh Qur’anic tradition). See Appendix 2 for the Summary
Chart that is in Arabic Alphabetic order (Abjadi order).
2

everyday Fulfulde. However, they are included in this list because when writing a borrowed word from
Arabic, some Fulbe will use these letters to spell them. The majority, however, spell the letters as they sound
in Fulfulde (non-Arabic letter-to-sound correspondence), except in Arabic names.
Ognmd Ognmdld Ognmd Ognmd ld Qnl`m Fq`ogdld Fq`ogdld Fq`ogdld '3 '3 enqlr( enqlr( enqlr(
Dw`lokdr
Dw`lokdr
.`9. rdbnmc _`&
(Beginning, middle, final and isolated)
oqduhntrkx
m``md
Tmhbncd9 /516 I`vlhq``vn Knqc
Etketkcd M`ld9 `khheh s``
cnm&sÔ
(This letter is only used to elongate the ‘a’ vowel) mc``
gdqd
Special Forms: with [laamu] in the intitial postion v`k``
with [laamu] in the medial positon bilaa
mnsghmf
vhsgnts
Sghr bnmrnm`ms hr mns trdc hm sgd hmhsh`k onrhshnm dwbdos enq bnllnm anqqnvdc @q`ahb vnqcr9
@kl`rhhgt Bgqhrs
@`c`lt
@c`l
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.a. a a``v…d
Tmhbncd9 /517 chla``fn
`tsgnqhsx
Etketkcd M`ld9 add bta
sn rg`jd
d`qkx
mi``ad `mrvdq 'ok(
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.s. s sdcctœf`k fknqx
Tmhbncd9 /51@ m`rstfn sn dmsdq
Etketkcd M`ld9 sdd fhsd dxdr
e`j`s sqtd
sn he
3

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.. sg lhsg``kt dw`lokd
Tmhbncd9
Etketkcd M`ld9 b`l`lkt
Sghr kdssdq b`l`lkt , hr trdc nmkx enq vnqcr anqqnvdc eqnl @q`ahb `mc hr mns trdc hm
Etketkcd ZETA\ @i`lhx` khsdq`stqd- Hs hr hmsdqdrshmf sn mnsd sg`s sgd rhhmh hr nesdm trdc hm sgd
ok`bd ne b`l`lkt hm hmchfdmntr Etketkcd @i`lhx` khsdq`stqd- Rn+ sgd vnqc `anud hr
oqnmntmbdc lhr``kt ax sgd Etkad `mc trdr ` rhhmh q`sgdq sg`m ` b`l`lkt-
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.d. i ihoo``fn
Tmhbncd9 /51B xdiihstfn
sn bnld cnvm
sn enqfds
v`sdqr
eqhdmc
Etketkcd M`ld9 ihhlh mchx`lih
rnna``in
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.g. g g``itfn
sn dmux
Tmhbncd9 /51C x`gtfn sn fn
fn
lh r``gh H f`ud 'eqddkx(
Etketkcd M`ld9 g`` a``kttk x`g
Hm Etketkcd ZETA\+ sgd g`` a``kttk hr oqnmntmbdc `r ` unhbdkdrr fknss`k eqhb`shud Zg\-
Sghr hr bnmsq`qx sn Lncdqm Rs`mc`qc @q`ahb 'LR@( `mc hm sgd Ptq&`m+ vgdqd sgd kdssdq Ê g``
a``kttk , hr mnql`kkx oqnmntmbdc `r ` unhbdkdrr og`qxmfd`k eqhb`shud Z\- Hs ltrs ad mnsdc
sg`s sghr unhbdkdrr og`qxmfd`k eqhb`shud Z\ rntmc cndr mns dwhrs hm sgd Etketkcd k`mft`fd
ZETA\- Hm LR@+ sgd g`` oddsdk , ھ qdoqdrdmsr sgd unhbdkdrr fknss`k eqhb`shud Zg\ rntmc-
Gnvdudq+ hm hmchfdmntr Etketkcd ZETA\ tr`fd sgd g`` a``kttk , kdssdq qdok`bdr sgd LR@ `mc
Ptq&`mhb @q`ahb rntmc ne sgd g`` oddsdk Ê ھ. Okd`rd rdd sgd rdbshnm sg`s dwok`hmr sgd trd ne
sgd g`` oddsdk Êھ 'o`fd 0/(.
4

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.w. jg jg`a`qt
mdvr
Tmhbncd9 /51D
Etketkcd M`ld9 g`` sn¬¬tœfnk
Sghr kdssdq g`` sn¬¬tœfnk , hr trdc nmkx enq vnqcr anqqnvdc eqnl @q`ahb `mc hr mns trdc hm
Etketkcd @i`lhx` khsdq`stqd-
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.c. c
cttkd bkntc
Tmhbncd9 /51E rtihc`mfn sn anv cnvm
Etketkcd M`ld9 cddkh
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.. i ذذذذ i`la` َذ
بم َ ْ sn bgd`s
Tmhbncd9 /52/ itmtta` بَ ونُذ ُ rhm sn Fnc
Etketkcd M`ld9 y``kh j`i` ذَ َک rnldsghmf
Sghr kdssdq y``kh , ذ hr trdc nmkx enq vnqcr anqqnvdc eqnl @q`ahb `mc hr mns trdc hm Etketkcd
ZETA\ @i`lhx` khsdq`stqd- Vghkd sgd mnql`k LR@ oqnmtmbh`shnm vntkc ad ` ZD\+ hm Etketkcd
ZETA\ hs hr lnrs nesdm oqnmntmbdc vhsg ` Zd\ bnqqdronmchmf sn sgd fq`ogdld _i& `mc
qdoqdrdmsdc ax sgd kdssdq ihhlh Ê hm @i`lhx`- Hm sgd L`qnt` `qd` hs hr rnldshldr oqnmntmbdc
vhsg ` Zy\ rntmc-
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.. q
q`mddqd vghsd
Tmhbncd9 /520 snqmcd
rtookhb`shnm
Etketkcd M`ld9 `qqd e`ihqh
`r`q
lnqmhmf
v`rsd
.q. qq snqq``fn sn sqntakd
Sgd kdssdq `qqd , hr oqnmntmbdc ZR\ 'ek`oodc q( `mc vhsg ` rg`cc` nudq hs È
'sqhkkdc q(-
Í hs qdoqdrdmsr Zq\
5

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.y. i
I`attq` Or`klr
Tmhbncd9/521
Etketkcd M`ld9 y`xq`
Sghr kdssdq y`xq` , hr trdc nmkx enq vnqcr anqqnvdc eqnl @q`ahb `mc hr mns trdc hm Etketkcd
ZETA\ @i`lhx` khsdq`stqd- Vghkd sgd mnql`k LR@ oqnmtmbh`shnm vntkc ad ` Zy\+ hm Etketkcd
ZETA\ hs hr lnrs nesdm oqnmntmbdc vhsg ` ZcZ\ `mc vqhssdm vhsg sgd fq`ogdld _i-& Hm sgd
L`qnt` `qd` hs hr nesdm oqnmntmbdc vhsg ` Zy\ rntmc- Hs hr hmsdqdrshmf sn mnsd sg`s sgd ihhlh ,
hr nesdm trdc hm ok`bd ne y`xq` , hm hmchfdmntr Etketkcd @i`lhx` tr`fd- Rn+ sgd vnqc `anud
hr oqnmntmbdc vhsg ` Zd\ rntmc 'I`attq`( ax sgd Etkad `mc hr vqhssdm vhsg ` ihhlh , q`sgdq
sg`m ` y`xq`-
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.r. r rdxn g`oox
r`ku`shnm
Etketkcd M`ld9 rhhmh mnnf`r
Tmhbncd9 /522 jhrmc`l
svdmsx
R` Vnv
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.s.nq..dudm.r. b bddcd
lnmdx
Tmhbncd9 /523 `bbtfn sn kds
rldkkr a`c
Sgdqd `qd cheedqdms ognmdshb u`ktdr hm cheedqdms knb`k ch`kdbsr- lh gnnbh
H snnj
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.s . r r`vst
Etketkcd M`ld9 bhhmh g`bbh
Tmhbncd9 /524 Lhrq`
unhbd
Dfxos
Etketkcd M`ld9 r``ch
Sghr kdssdq r``ch , + hr trdc nmkx enq vnqcr anqqnvdc eqnl @q`ahb `mc hr mns trdc hm
Etketkcd ZETA\ @i`lhx` khsdq`stqd- Sghr hr ` og`qxmfd`khydc `kudnk`q eqhb`shud Zs \ hm LR@-
Hm Etketkcd ZETA\ hs hr lnrs nesdm oqnmntmbdc vhsg ` Zr\ `mc vqhssdm vhsg sgd fq`ogdld _r& hm
Qnl`m rbqhos-
6

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
. d . c ضضض
ض c`qttq` رورض َ ُ َ lhrs`jd
Tmhbncd9 /525
Etketkcd M`ld9 a``ch 'c``ch(
Sghr kdssdq a``ch , ض+ hr trdc nmkx enq vnqcr anqqnvdc eqnl @q`ahb `mc hr mns trdc hm
Etketkcd ZETA\ @i`lhx` khsdq`stqd- Sghr hr oqnmntmbdc `r ` og`qxmfd`khydc `kudnk`q oknrhud
Zc \ hm LR@- Hm Etketkcd ZETA\ hs hr lnrs nesdm oqnmntmbdc vhsg ` Zc\ `mc hr vqhssdm vhsg sgd
fq`ogdld _c-&
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.…. … …tt…tfn
sn hmbqd`rd
Tmhbncd9 /526 xdd…tfn sn khud
ِH nodmdc
Jn jttv…`>
Etketkcd M`ld9 …``ch lh vdd…h
Vg`s chc xnt cn>
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
. َ ْ
ِ ِ
ُ َ َ
. i ظ ظظظ itgq` رهظُ
Tmhbncd9 /527 i``ghqh رهاظَ
uhrhakd
oqd`bg
Etketkcd M`ld9 y``ch v``it ظعو
1 n&bknbj oq`xdq
Sghr kdssdq y``ch , ظ hr trdc nmkx enq vnqcr anqqnvdc eqnl @q`ahb `mc hr mns trdc hm Etketkcd
ZETA\ @i`lhx` khsdq`stqd- Vghkd sgd mnql`k LR@ oqnmtmbh`shnm vntkc ad ` Z \ hm LR@+ hm
Etketkcd ZETA\ hs hr lnrs nesdm oqnmntmbdc vhsg ` Zc\ `mc vqhssdm vhsg sgd fq`ogdld _i-& Hm
sgd L`qnt` `qd` hs hr nesdm oqnmntmbdc vhsg ` Zy\ rntmc- - Hs hr hmsdqdrshmf sn mnsd sg`s sgd
ihhlh , hr nesdm trdc hm ok`bd ne y``ch ظ hm hmchfdmntr Etketkcd @i`lhx` tr`fd- Rn+ sgd
vnqcr `anud `qd oqnmntmbdc vhsg ` Zd\ rntmc 'khjd itgq`( ax sgd Etkad `mc `qd vqhssdm vhsg `
ihhlh , q`sgdq sg`m ` y``ch ظ-
7

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.. _ dfftfn
Tmhbncd9 /528 xh&tfn
sn sq`mredq+ lnud
sn rdd
Etketkcd M`ld9 `xmh lh xh&h
ln&&dqd
H r`v
fq`bd
d `mc
Sghr bnmrnm`ms hr ok`bdc `s sgd adfhmmhmf ne vnqcr sg`s adfhm vhsg unvdkr '`r hm dfftfn
`anud(- Q`sgdq sg`m trhmf `m `khheh enq sgd È`Í+ ÈtÍ nq sgd ÈhÍ unvdk+ sgd ch`bqhshb enq sgdrd
rntmcr vhkk fn nudq nq tmcdq sgd `xmh bnmrnm`ms- Sghr hr ` mnql`k hmchfdmntr bnmudmshnm enq
@i`lhx` hm sgd ZETA\ `qd`-
nmd
Tmhbncd9 /52@ rhf``fn
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.f. f fnnsdk
Etketkcd M`ld9 `œf`mh n rnffh
sn jddo nq rsnqd
Gd cqnud '`mhl`kr(
fn nmd+ nq sg`s adenqd
Sgd ehqrs `mc hrnk`sdc enqlr `qd b`kkdc `œfhm` mf``ank+ `mc sgd lhcckd `mc dmchmf `qd b`kkdc
`œfhm` jddatv`k hm Etketkcd-
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.e. e etk¬d
Etk`mh Odnokd
Tmhbncd9 /5@1 sdetfn sn rd`qbg
Etketkcd M`ld9 edd 'hrnk`sdc: edd ftcnk( lh steh H oqhbjdc+ hmidbsdc
ettet ktmf
Hm LR@+ sgd edd vntkc g`ud ` cns nudq sgd bg`q`bsdq+ `mc mns tmcdq- Ats+ sgd lnrs bnllnm
hmchfdmntr bnmudmshnm hm sgd ZETA\ `qd` hr sn ots sgd cns tmcdq sgd bg`q`bsdq '`r hm sgd V`qrg
Ptq&`mr trdc bnllnmkx hm Vdrs `mc Mnqsg @eqhb`(-
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.. j nq f Hrhx`jt
Hr``b
Tmhbncd9 /531 f``e`q`
dwbtrd+ rnqqx
Etketkcd M`ld9 œ``et.f``et
Sghr kdssdq hr trdc nmkx enq vnqcr anqqnvdc eqnl @q`ahb `mc hr nmkx trdc hm ntq khsdq`stqd enq
8

m`ldr sg`s `qd entmc hm sgd Ptq&`m-
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.j. j jddeddqn o`f`m
Tmhbncd9 /5@8 g`jjtmcd adsvddm
Etketkcd M`ld9 jddet g`jjd rhm
lh vnnjh H bqhdc
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.k. k kdjjh
Tmhbncd9 /533 fhk…h
sqdd+ ldchbhmd
vnqlr
onnk`
gdko
cnud
Etketkcd M`ld9 k``lt a`kk`k
k``lt
`mc ldch`k Èk``Í rhk``vn a`rjds
Rodbh`k enqlr ne Zk\9 hmhsh`k Èk`` È
jhmfcnl+ qtkd
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.l. l l``xn
qhudq
Tmhbncd9 /534 lddltfn sn sntbg
Etketkcd M`ld9 lhhlh lh mtlh H sgntfgs+ sghmj
mx``ld
d`s 'ok-(
Tmhbncd9 /535 gtm``fn
edkknvrgho
sn rvd`q n`sg
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.m. m m`qq`k
Etketkcd M`ld9 mttmt m`mn
i`qmd
kdes
f`qcdm
'Sgd mtm`q` Zmttmt vhsgnts ` cns\ hr mns trdc hm sghr nqsgnfq`ogx+ hs hr nmkx entmc hm V`qrg
Ptq&`mr `mc rnld hmchfdmntr @i`lh ne Vdrs `mc Mnqsg @eqhb`(-
9

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.g. g G`qtm`
@`qnm
@aq`g`l
@kk`g
Tmhbncd9 /536 Haq`ghhl`
@kk`g
Etketkcd M`ldr9 g`` oddsdk 'g`j`addqd enq hmhsh`k `mc lhcckd+ g`rdjddqd enq sgd
ehm`k `mc hrnk`sdc enqlr(-
Hm LR@ `mc hm sgd Ptq&`m+ sgd g`` oddsdk vntkc mnql`kkx ad trdc sn vqhsd sgd unhbdkdrr
fknss`k eqhb`shud Zg\- Gnvdudq+ rhmbd sgd unhbdkdrr og`qxmfd`k eqhb`shud Z\ cndr mns dwhrs hm
Etketkcd+ sgd Etkad odnokd&r hmchfdmntr cdbhrhnm v`r sn bgnnrd g`` a``kttk , 'rdd o`fd 3
`mc 4( enq sgd unhbdkdrr fknss`k eqhb`shud Zg\ Sgd g`` oddsdk g`r addm cqnoodc `klnrs
bnlokdsdkx eqnl trd hm dudqxc`x Etketkcd @i`lhx`- Sgtr+ adb`trd hmchfdmntr bnmudmshnmr `qd
adhmf enkknvdc `r ltbg `r onrrhakd+ sgd g`` oddsdk ,ھ vhkk ad trdc q`qdkx hm sghr nqsgnfq`ogx-
Hs vhkk ad trdc nmkx enq hlonqs`ms m`ldr entmc hm sgd Ptq&`m khjd sgnrd rgnvm `anud-
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.v. v
vnkcd vnqc
Tmhbncd9 /537 i`vch
vd`ksg
Etketkcd M`ld9 v``vt lh mx`vh H `l rhbj
lh v``vh H b`m '`akd(
n9 sghr mddcr aqdud /54A nudq oqduhntr bnmrnm`msinnmcd
t9 sghr mddcr c`ll` /53E nudq oqduhntr bnmrnm`msitt…d
qdfhnm+ khuhmf ok`bd
lh vnnv` H `l trdc sn---
g`mcr
lh vttv`
H rvddo
10

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.i. x xdssnnqd
sg`mjfhuhmf
Tmhbncd9 /53@ gnxmtfn sn ad d`rx
m`xh
vhkk 'ne Fnc(
entq
lttxn
Etketkcd M`ldr9 x`g+ `mc x`gx`q` enq sgd ehm`k `mc hrnk`sdc enqlr-
Zh9\ 'vqhssdm `r hh( sghr `krn mddcr ` j`rq` 'l``rh kdr( tmcdq sgd oqduhntr
bnmrnm`ms- xhhcd
knud
lh xhhknxh H uhrhsdc eqnl chrs`mbd
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Hrq`dk
. Nq nsgdq. _ Hrq`&hhk`
Tmhbncd9 /510
Etketkcd M`ld9 g`l`y`
Sghr kdssdq hr trdc hm ` rl`kkdq enql `anud sgd kdssdq add, `mc x`g, sn hmchb`sd sn sgd
qd`cdq sg`s sgdrd kdssdqr g`ud rhlhk`q Èfknss`k qdrsqhbshudÍ rntmcr- Sghr kdssdq hm hsr k`qfdq enql
hr mnql`kkx trdc nmkx enq vnqcr anqqnvdc eqnl @q`ahb `mc rgntkc nmkx ad trdc hm khsdq`stqd
enq m`ldr sg`s `qd entmc hm sgd Ptq&`m-
Sgd Sgd enkknvhmf enkknvhmf eehud
e hud bnmrnm`msr `qd mns entmc hm Lncdqm Rs`mc`qc @q`ahb @q`ahb 'LR@(9
Tmhbncd9 Mns `u`hk`akd xds ›h›`l
ptdrshnm
aknnc
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.x . › ›`lnk
vhmj
¬nn›d
jhcmdxr
This letter, the ›`g ln…h, always takes a vowel marker (or sukuun) and is therefore never
confused with the yah (without dots - sometimes called alif maksura) that has a hamza over it (found in
MSA).
Etketkcd M`ld9 ›`g ln…h ghl›`
11

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.¬. ¬ ¬`mct ancx
ehfgs
Tmhbncd9 Mns `u`hk`akd xds g`¬qd
Etketkcd M`ld9 ¬dd ln…t ¬h¬¬d
neeroqhmf
gttvnn¬d vnqjdqr
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.o. o otj`q``in
rstcdms
Tmhbncd9 /65/ ihoo``fn
Etketkcd M`ld9 odd 'hrnk`sdc odd ftcnk( r`oon
sn bnld cnvm
sdm
knnod ltc
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.. mx mx``lct ennc
Tmhbncd9 bknrd sn /656 kdmxnk e`lhkx.bk`m
Etketkcd M`ld9 mx` rnmxn rntmc
lh snnmx` H odqrdbtsd
n c`mxh
she gave birth
Tmhbncd9 bnlahmdc /535*/52@ v`œfhmfn
ad`tsx
sn rgnv
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.œ. œ œ`qnk
Etketkcd M`ld9 mttmt d `œfhmh ¬hœfdk
bghkc
lh a`œfh H l`qqhdc
N v`œf`
gd rgnvr
The _œ , & is distinguished from the ‘n’ in that it does not take a sukuun (hownde). Note the word
12

v`œfhmfn above: that the first _œ , & does not take a sukuun, but the second ‘n’ does take one. The _œ&
is rarely found at the beginning of a word and is thus NOT confused with the prenasalized ng- sound
(see page 13) which is normally only found at the beginning of a word.
Oqdm`r`khy`shnmr
Oqdm`r`khy`shnmr9
Oqdm`r`khy`shnmr
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.mi. mi mi``qddmch
r`mc
Tmhbncd9 bnlahmdc /535*/51B lh r`mi`
H bg`mfd
lh v``mi` H ontq nts
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.la. la la`qtfn
sn jhkk
Tmhbncd9 bnlahmdc /535*/517 enlahm` rntsg
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Tmhbncd9 bnlahmdc /535*/52@ x`xm`mfn
o`rstqd
sn rghmd sn
.mf. mf mf`xm``j`
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.mc. mc
mchx`l
Tmhbncd9 bnlahmdc /535*/52@ rdmctfn
v`sdq
sn rdo`q`sd
gdmct vhmc
innmcd ok`bd
13

Sgd Sgd UUnvdkr
U Unvdkr
nvdkr9 nvdkr 9 'Etketkcd 'Etketkcd M`ld M`ldr9 M`ld M`ld 99 9 ll`r…d
l r…d r…d

Kdmfsg Kdmfsg ne ne Unvdkr9 Unvdkr9 @kk @kk unvdkr unvdkr nbbtq nbbtq kdmfsgdmdc+ kdmfsgdmdc+ l`qjdc l`qjdc hm hm qnl`m qnl`m rbqhos rbqhos ax ax ` ` cntakd cntakd unvdk-
unvdk-
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.`9. `` ◌
¬hh @`c`l` gtl`m
Tmhbncd9 /53D * /516 j``e`gh rvnqc
btrsnl
Etketkcd M`ld9 `khheh a`kdvnk 'ancddvnk( `k&``c`
g`` sn+ enq+ `s
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.d9. dd ◌ ddœfstfn sn fn to
Tmhbncd9 /54B *hmhsh`k nq ldch`k /55D */56/ i`vkddqt lddshmf qnnl
Tmhbncd9 /54B *ehm`k nq hrnk`sdc /538 qddct
`mc+ vhsg
rsnl`bg
Etketkcd M`ld9 x`l`kddqd add `khheh ancdvnk add
Sghr ehm`k x`g vhsgnts cnsr g`r ` Rodbh`k Etketkcd M`ld9 x`gx`q` 'v`k`` sn¬d(
Sgd vnqc add hr rodbh`k hm sg`s hs hr sgd nmkx vnqc hm Etketkcd sg`s dmcr hm .d9.- Gnvdudq+ sgdqd
`qd udqa`k bnmrsqtbshnmr vgdm sghr nbbtqr 'oktq`k hlodq`shudr enkknvdc ax odqrnm`k oqnmntmr Ê
rdd dw`lokdr adknv(- Sgd hmhsh`k `mc ldch`k dknmf`shnm g`r ` rtodqrbqhos `kde nudq sgd snnsg-
Ats sgd dknmf`shnm 'ne sgd @kde L`jrtq`( hm hsr ehm`k `mc hrnk`sdc enqlr s`jdr sgd enql ne ` x`g
vhsgnts cnsr-
Tmhbncd9 /538 '@kde L`jrtq`( Zmftqshmd9 ln\ s`jd ghl nts
Zmf`ccd9 ɓd\ aqhmf sgdl
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
oqnlhrdc nmd
.h9.
hh ◌
hhm``…n
Tmhbncd9 /54/ * /53@ ahqhhih
od`mtsr
Etketkcd M`ld9 l``rh kdr hh ¬hh rnm neÔ
Vgdm sgd x`g _& hr dknmf`shmf sgd .h. rntmc+ hs cndr mns s`jd ` rtjttm- Hm sghr v`x+ sgd x`g
dknmf`shnm hr d`rhkx chrshmfthrgdc eqnl sgd bnmrnm`ms x`g-
15

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.n9. nn ◌
nnqtfn sn fq`yd 'bnvr(
itcfd
Tmhbncd9 /54A * /537 jhhsnnvn
Etketkcd M`ld9 stqm…d nn ann `krn
Vgdm sgd v``vt _& hr dknmf`shmf sgd .n. rntmc+ hs cndr mns s`jd ` rtjttm- Hm sghr v`x+ sgd
v``vt dknmf`shnm hr d`rhkx chrshmfthrgdc eqnl sgd bnmrnm`ms v``vt-
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
.t9. tt ◌
ttqfn sn rldkk fnnc
Tmhbncd9 /53E * /537 lh gttvh H vnqjdc
Etketkcd M`ld9 stqm…d tt ett `kk
Vgdm sgd v``vt _& hr dknmf`shmf sgd .t. rntmc+ hs cndr mns s`jd ` rtjttm- Hm sghr v`x+ sgd
v``vt dknmf`shnm hr d`rhkx chrshmfthrgdc eqnl sgd bnmrnm`ms v``vt-
Rodbh`k Rodbh`k Rodbh`k Kdssdqr+ Kdssdqr+ Ch`bqhshbr Ch`bqhshbr `mc `mc Otmbst`shnm9
Otmbst`shnm9
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
◌
Rtjttm9
Etketkcd M`ld9 gnvcd.gnvmcd
Sghr ch`bqhshb hr trdc sn rgnv sg`s sgdqd hr mn unvdk enkknvhmf sgd bnmrnm`ms- Sgtr+ vgdm svn
cheedqdms bnmrnm`msr `qd trdc hm chqdbs rdptdmbd+ sgd rtjttm rgntkc ad trdc nudq sgd ehqrs
bnmrnm`ms-
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
◌
Rg`cc`9
Etketkcd M`ld9 rhccdqd
Sghr ch`bqhshb hr trdc sn rgnv sgd cntakhmf ne ` bnmrnm`ms- Sgtr+ vgdm ` vnqc g`r svn ne sgd
r`ld bnmrnm`msr hm ` qnv+ q`sgdq sg`m vqhshmf sgd kdssdq svhbd+ sgd rg`cc` rgntkc ad trdc nudq
sgd bnmrnm`ms-
16

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Mtladqr 9 sghr hr sgd r`ld `r hm LR@-
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Otmbst`shnm9 Sghr hr ` fqdx `qd` hm @q`ahb- 1
. , ? ! “ ” :
؟
0- Sgd ÈÍ etmbshnmr sn l`qj sgd dmc ne ` rdmsdmbd- 'Sghr hr sn l`jd ` bkd`q chrshmbshnm
vhsg sgd mtladq È/Í(-
1- Sgd ÈÍ etmbshnmr sn l`qj sgd dmc ne ` bk`trd nq sn rdo`q`sd hsdlr hm ` khrs-
2- Sgd È؟Í etmbshnmr sn hmchb`sd ` ptdrshnm-
3- Sgd ÈÍ etmbshnmr sn hmchb`sd dwbk`l`shnmr-
4- Sgd ÈÍ etmbshnmr sn l`qj sgd adfhmmhmf ne ` ptns`shnm-
5- Sgd ÈÍ etmbshnmr sn l`qj sgd dmc ne ` ptns`shnm-
6- Sgd ÈÍ etmbshnmr sn hmsqnctbd ` etqsgdq dk`anq`shnm nq oqdbdchmf ptns`shnm-
Dw`lokd9 @bsr 893+4 ,, 3 N cn&&h g`` kdrch+ n m`mh r`vst …nm vh&` ln9 !Rnk+ Rnk Jnmh
snnmxnsnn…` lh>! 4 N ›`lh9 !@m ` lnx+ I`vlhq``vn>! R`vst fn i``ah9 !Lhm vnmh Hhr` ln
snnmxnsnn…`- 2
Qnl`m
@i`lhx`
Qnl`m
@i`lhx`
؟
؟
Sq`mrk`shnm9 3 Gd edkk sn sgd fqntmc `mc gd`qc ` unhbd r`x sn ghl+ ÈR`tk+ R`tk+ vgx cn xnt odqrdbtsd ld>Í
4 ÈVgn `qd xnt+ Knqc>Í R`tk `rjdc- ÈH `l Idrtr+ vgnl xnt `qd odqrdbtshmf+Í gd qdokhdc-
2 Awde, N., Samano P., The Arabic Alphabet: How to read and write it (Lyle Stuart: New Jersy, 1986). p. 34.
3 The Deftere Allah, The Bible in Fulfulde [FUB], 1994, Deftere Habaruuji Masiihinko’en, p. 140.
17

Abbreviations:
[FUB] – The Ethnologue designation for the Fulfulde Dialect discussed in this document.
[FUV] – The Ethnologue designation for the Fulfulde Dialect found in central Nigeria.
MSA - Modern Standard Arabic
JCMWA – Joint Committee for Ministry in West Africa
Ajamiya Bibliography
Literature in Present Orthography:
n.n.,
¢h……n L`iinn…n+ The Lost Son (Cameroun: Sawtu Linjiila, 2003) 24pp..
n.n.,
Luthérienne du Cameroun, 1988) 4pp..
G`jjd m`rsh ctmhx`+ Sin has entered the world (Ngaoundéré: Église Évangélique
n.n., Mttgt, Mn`g (N’gaoundéré: Église Évangélique Luthérienne du Cameroun, 1988) 11pp..
n.n.,
langue foulfouldé, écriture arabe (Ajamiya) (Yaoundé: Alliance Biblique du Cameroun,
1993) 36pp..
n.n.,
langue foulfouldé, écriture arabe (Ajamiya) (Yaoundé: Alliance Biblique du Cameroun,
1993) 46pp..
n.n.,
langue foulfouldé, écriture arabe (Ajamiya) (Yaoundé: Alliance Biblique du Cameroun,
1993) 115pp..
n.n.,
: Qtts+ l``l` C``vtc`+ Qtsg+ k` Fq`mc&ld∆qd cd C`uhc dm k`mftd
entkentkcd, écriture arabe (Ajamiya) (Yaoundé: Alliance Biblique du Cameroun, 1993)
12pp..
n.n.,
arabe (Ajamiya) (Yaoundé: Alliance Biblique du Cameroun, 1993) 26pp..
: Cdesd @mm`an&dm9 @mm`ah X`jttat+ L’histoire du Prophète Jacob en
: Cdesd @mm`an&dm9 @mm`ah Xttrtet+ L’histoire du Prophète Joseph en
: Cdesd @mm`an&dm9 @mm`ah Lttr`+ L’histoire du Prophète Moïse en
: @rs`9 Cdaan k`lhh…n+ Esther, la Femme du Roi en langue foulfouldé, écriture
n.n.,
: Khmihhk` Hhr` @kl`rhhgt ¬hh L`qhx`l` a`m` Ktj`
vhmchqh …tl+ L’Évangile selon Luc en Foulfouldé écriture arabe (Ajamiya) (Yaoundé:
Alliance Biblique du Cameroun, 1990) 150pp..
n.n.,
: Hmm…d Sdcct…d9 Hhr` @x`st`kk`gh+ Les Grands Noms: Jésus, Signe de
Dieu (Yaoundé: Alliance Biblique du Cameroun, 1993) 18pp..
n.n., ؟ : Jn l`xmh @mm`ah Hhr`>+ Qu’est-Ce Qui a Fait Mourrir le Prophète Jésus? en
langue foulfouldé, écriture arabe (Ajamiya) (Yaoundé: Alliance Biblique du Cameroun,
1993) 9pp..
nn., V`q ` x`q` mchx`l cttlhh&c`l, Come and drink the eternal water,
(Ngaoundéré: Sawtu Linjiila, 2001) 10 pages.
n.n., : K``s``mnnih+ Fdmdrhr9 Sgd Ehqrs Annj ne sgd S`vq`s (Yaoundé: Alliance Biblique du
Cameroun, 2003) 177pp.
18

Health Literature in Present Orthography:
n.n.,
: E`ms` …nm qddm` ¬hmfdk ltl+ Fanta attend un Bébé en langue fulfuldé,
écriture arabe (Église Évangélique Luthérienne du Cameroun: Projét de Santé des Femmes,
1993) 38pp..
+ Ghrmt xnmjh l` d xh&c``&ad l`+ o`ccnsdm mx`v RHC@,
Save yourself and those you love, lets drive away the sickness AIDS, (Ngaoundéré: Sawtu
Linjiila, 2001), 2pp..(10,000 copies distributed).
Rdx dm j`vs` dm mi`kkn RHC@.@HCR,Let us come together and win
over SIDA/AIDS, (Yaounde, SIL Cameroon, 2006), 2pp.. (24,000 copies distributed).
n.n.,
n.n.,
Similar Ajamiya to that Proposed in this Orthography Statement:
n.n., : Laataanooji, La Genése En langue Foulfouldé Yaoundé: Sociétés Bibliques au Cameroun,
1962. 158pp..
n.n.,
9 Linjiila fodde Matta, L’Évangile selon Matthieu en langue Foulfouldé Yaoundé:
Sociétés Bibliques au Cameroun, 1961. 94pp.
n.n., : Jabuura, Les Psaumes en langue foulfouldé, Ngaoundéré: Centre de Duplication de l’EELC,
1975, 201pp.
Other Literature on the Subject of Ajamiya:
Alkhuli, Muhammad Ali, A Dictionary of Islamic Terms: English-Arabic & Arabic English, (Swaileh:
Jordan, 1989). 230pp..
Amudani, Y., Koyi da Kanka Harsuna uku: Turanci da Hausa da Larabci, Teach yourself three
Languages: English, Hausa and Arabic (Kano: Ayab General Enterprises, 2001).
Amudani, Y., Teach yourself three Languages: French, Hausa and Arabic (Kano: Ayab General
Enterprises, 1996).
Awde, Nicholas & Samano, Putros, The Arabic Alphabet: How to read & write it, (New Jersey: Lyle
Stuart, 1986). 95pp..
Chtatou, M., Using Arabic script in writing the languages of the peoples of Muslim Africa (Rabat:
Institute of African Studies, 1992).
Eguchi, Paul Kazuhisa, An English-Fulfulde Dictionary, (Institute for the Study of Language and
Cultures of Asia and Africa, Tokyo, 1986).
Eguchi, Paul Kazuhisa, The Poem of Repentance, (Institute for the Study of Language and Cultures of
Asia and Africa, Tokyo, 1976).
Malik, S.H.A., ‘The Impact of Arabic on the Linguistic and Cultural Life of the Yoruba People’ (FS
Bamgboɗe; Ibadan: Group Publishers, 1995) 424-39.
Nelson, R.W., Etk¬d Btkstq`k Dkdldmsr `r Bnms`bs Onhmsr enq sgd Fnrodk (M.th. diss. Fuller, 1981).
Nelson R. W., Ekkitinol Ajamiya, (Lessons on Fulfulde Arabic Script). Revised by Scott Clark and
Carolin Huber in 2007.
Nelson R. W., The Situation and Need for a Standardized Ajamiya Orthography for Fulfulde,
unpublished paper presented at the 1998 JCMWA meeting in Ngaoundéré, Cameroon.
Noye, Dominiquel., Dictionnaire Foulfoulde-Francais: Dialect Peul du Diamare Nord Cameroun,
Librairie Orientalist Paul Geuthner, S.A. 12, ru Vavi, 75006 Paris, 1989.
Skinner, N., Hausa Readings: Selections from Edgar’s Tatsuniyoyi (Madison: University of Wisconsin
Press, 1968).
19

Stennes, Leslie H., A Reference Grammar of Adamawa Fulani, African Language
Monograph No. 8, African Studies Center, Michigan State University, 1967.
Taylor, F. W., A Fulani-English Dictionary, (Clarendon Press: Oxford, 1932).
Philips, J., Spurious Arabic: Hausa and Colonial Nigeria (University of Wisconsin African Studies
Center, ).
Van Gerpen, E., Ka Koya wa Kanka Ajami (SIM, n.d.) 28pp..
n.n., Koya wa Kanka Karatun Ajami (NNPC Ltd.; © Wusasa: CMS; Printed Kaduna: Baraka Press &
Publishers Ltd., 1971) 30pp..
n.n., Kitab Injil (Manila: PBS, 2001). [Roman script to Arabic script].
Indigenous Ajamiya Literature for [FUB] Fulfulde
n.n.,
: (Meiganga, Cameroun: Tidjani, Adib), 38pp., no date.
n.n., : (Meiganga, Cameroun: Tidjani, Adib), 76pp., 2001.
n.n., :
(Yola, Nigeria:
Tidjani, Adib), 76pp., 2001. (However, Saad with two dots is used for the implosive
(where the feh with an extra dot is used for the ‘p’ sound)
Doriidu, M., : (Kano, Nigeria: Northern Maktabat Press LTD.), no date.
This is one of at least 10 books written in Maroua.
Eguchi, Paul Kazuhisa, , (Institute for the Study of Language and Cultures
of Asia and Africa, Tokyo, 1976).
20

Appendix 1 Fulfulde Ajamiya –
The transliteration of letters and vowels from Roman script to Ajamiya in Abajada order
Abajada Warsh Order --
◌
Aa, aa
‘a’
B, b
J, j
D, d
H, h
W, w
Z, z
H, h
©+ …
Y, y
K, k
L, l
-laa
laa
M, m
N, n
S, s
‘
شغظ
ذخث
تسرڧ
ضڢعص ںملک ىطح زوه دجب ا
F, f
D, d
ض ضضض
ڧ ڧڧڧ
ث ثثث
خ خخخ
ذ ذذذ
ظ ظظظ
Gh, gh or
Qh, qh
R, r
S, s
T, t
Th, th
or S, s or
C, c
Kh, kh
Zh, zh
Z, z
G, g
C, c
Sh, sh
Mx+ mx
P, p
¢+ ¬
‚+ ›
◌َ
◌
◌
◌
◌
◌
◌
◌
◌
◌
A, a
E, e
I, i
O, o
U, u
Aa, aa
‘a’
Ee, ee
Ii, ii
Oo, oo
Uu, uu
Ø+ œ
Nj, nj
Mb, mb
Ng, ng
Nd, nd
◌ ◌
Hownde: walaa
masde. Siddere:
sembiɗina
harfeere.
Letters used rarely in
Ajamiya Fulfulde:
،ض
،
،ص
،
،ز
ز
،ذ
ذ
، خ
ء ،
،ھ
،،
، ،ق
،
، ڧ
،ظ
،ث
21

Appendix 2
Summary Chart of the Fulfulde Alphabet For [FUB] Ajamiya
------------------------------------------Examples-------------------------------------------
Ajamiya Grapheme Roman Grapheme Phoneme Initial Medial Final Isolated
Second ‘a’
/a:/ only for Arabic
B, b
/b/
T, t /t/
names:
J, j /d/
H, h /h/
D, d /d/
R, r //
S, s /s/
C, c /t/ or // or /s/
©+ … .….
‘ //
G, g /g/
F, f /f/
K, k /k/
/

L, l /l/
-laa /la:/
laa /la:/
M, m /m/
N, n /n/
W, w /w/
Y, y /j/
‚+ › .x .
¢+ ¬ .¬.
P, p /p/
Mx+ mx ..
Ø+ œ .œ.
Nj, nj /nj/
Mb, mb /mb/
Ng, ng /ng/
Appendix 2

◌
◌
◌
◌
◌
◌
◌
◌
◌
◌
◌ and ◌
Nd, nd /nd/
A, a /a/
U, u /u/
I, i /i/
O, o /o/
E, e /e/
Aa, aa /a:/
Uu, uu /u:/
Ii, ii /i:/
Oo, oo /o:/
Ee, ee /e:/
no-vowel sign and
double letter sign
(This list of letters does not including Arabic letters used rarely in [FUB] Fulfulde; ث,
Appendix 2
/
/
/
, خ, , ذ, , ز, , ص, , ض, , ظ, , ق, , ھ, , ڧ, ,
, ء).