A scholarly review of “oshikwanyama orthography 3” and the justification for the need for “oshikwanyama orthography 4”

Ekonakono lomoule “loshikwanyama omushangelo 3” neyelifo lediladilo “lomushangelo 4 woshikwanyama”

Resumo

Oshinyolwa eshi osha konakona moule oukwatya womushangelo wOshikwanyama ou u li melongifo paife, wa shoneka unene kelunduluko nokeenghendabala da ungaungiwa nado di na sha nokuyukipalifa omushangelo wOshikwanyama moNamibia nomoAngola. Otashi konakona Oshikwanyama Omushangelo 3, nelalakano okweeta po Oshikwanyama: Omushangelo 4. Ekonakono eli ola kwatela mo oifimaninima ya pamba elaka, ehongo, onghalo yokushanga moshiwana nopolitika, oyo hai yambidida mokutota po nomokutalulula omushangelo, ngaashi shi li momishangwa. Omakonakono aa okwe likanghamekela komukalo hau ifanwa a posteriori, omukalo hau talulula omushangelo welaka u li po nale, nowa longifwa mokukonakona omipondo nomaunghundi Oshikwanyama Omushangelo 3, wa talululilwe momudo 2004 kokomitiye yomufindalandu wOshikwanyama, koNIED moNamibia. Omakonakono aa okwa tala oifimaninima ngaashi ekwatafano pokati kelongifo lelaka netambulo lelaka papolitika, elongifo leendada, etukulo loitya, nelongifo lomawi mwa kwatelwa omutono.  Omakonakono aa okwa denga yo omufindo kefimano lekufombinga lovanhu vomomudingonoko mokweeta po omushangelo wa kola. Okwa monikwa kutya ope na okuningwa sha, opo ku endekululwe omushangelo wopaife, mokutala omaludi omanwefafano oo a kambela mo, nokuungaunga yo nomaunghundi mahapu e li momushangelo. Okwa fanekwa ku etwe Omushangelo wOshikwanyama 4, opo u kwafele melongifo lelaka pokati koilongo ei ivali, mokukwatela po elaka nexumokomesho, shaashi omishangelo ohadi endele pamwe nexumokomesho. Omushangelo ou wa diladilwa otau ka tula moilonga omishangwa dopauakademi, omishangwa domoshiwana nexumokomesho momufyuululwakalo, tau kwatele yo komesho omakwatafano nelihongo lovalongifi vawo. Omashitililokonakono aa okwa faneka yo kutya eenyapilaka dikwao dOshikwanyama nado nadi kwatelwe momushangelo ou wa diladilwa, ngaashi Oshimbadja, Oshikafima, Oshivale nOshindombodola, oshinima tashi ulike ekwatafano lovanhu aveshe.

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The current study examines the evolution and current state of Oshikwanyama orthography, focusing on the development and standardisation efforts in Namibia and Angola. It critically evaluates the existing “Oshikwanyama Orthography 3” to inform the development of the proposed “Oshikwanyama Orthography 4”. The evaluation encompasses linguistic, educational, sociolinguistic, and political factors influencing orthography design. The research follows a posteriori approach, focusing on the merits and demerits of the current orthography (“Oshikwanyama Orthography 3”), revised in 2004 by the Oshikwanyama Curriculum Committee of the National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) in Okahandja, Namibia. Key considerations include the balance between linguistic soundness and sociopolitical acceptability, the selection of graphemes, word division, and the representation of phonological and suprasegmental features, such as tone. The study emphasises the importance of community involvement in establishing a strong orthography. The findings highlight the need for updates to address outdated lexical conventions, insufficient assimilation processes, and inconsistencies in representation. Recommendations propose the adoption of “Oshikwanyama Orthography 4” with immediate effect to unify standards across borders and enhance language preservation and development. The proposed “Oshikwanyama Orthography 4” will aim to standardise writing for academic, social, and cultural growth, facilitating improved communication and learning for native and non-native users. The paper also recommends that all linguistic varieties of Oshikwanyama be accommodated in the orthography, namely Oshimbadja, Oshikafima, Oshivale and Oshindombodola.