Madi language (Sudan and Uganda)

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The Ma'di {Mà'dí} language is found in Uganda and Southern Sudan. It speakers largely belong to the Moru-Madi cluster of languages of the Central Sudanic phylum (see Central Sudanic languages). (The apostrophe before the letter d, denotes it as an implosive). The people refer to their language as Ma'di ti literally: Ma'di mouth.

[edit] The Language and the People

The languages in this cluster are found across three countries: Uganda (Ma'di, Lugbara); Sudan (Lugbara, Ma'di, Lolu'bo, Avukaya, Kaliko, Moru and Logo); and Democratic Republic of Congo, (Lugbara, Avukaya, kaliko and Logo). The Ma'di people are found in Magwi county in the Sudan and in Adjumani and Moyo districts in Uganda. The population is about 250,000 people (50,000 in the Sudan).

[edit] Key Features of the Language

Ma'di is a tonal language, which means that meaning of words depend on the pitch. there are three tone levels (high, mid and low). The language has a number of implosives {ɓ ('b), ɗ ('d, ʄ ('j) ɠɓ('gb)}. The symbols in the brackets refer to orthographic notation of the IPA sounds. There are ten vowels in the language, divided into +ATR (a, e, i, o, u) and -ATR {a, ɛ, ɪ, ɔ,ʊ}. There are a number of secondarily (k^w) and doubly articulated sounds (gb, kp) in addition to the singularly articulated sounds (f, v). The language also has glottal stops {̪) which can be found word medially and initially.

[edit] Books on Ma'di

A'babiku, Rose 'A Key History of Ma'di
Blackings, M and Fabb N (2003) A Grammar of Ma'di: Mouton
Blackings, M (2000) Ma'di English - English Ma'di Dictionary. Lincom Europa.
Fuli, Severino (2002) Shaping a Free Southern Sudan: Memoirs of our struggle. Loa Parish.