A Dictionary of Mada (Mada-English). A Plateau Language of Central Nigeria

Publisher: Cambridge
Publication date: 2007
Number of pages: 108A Dictionary of Mada (Mada-English) - A Plateau Language of Central Nigeria.
This dictionary is a preliminary attempt to record the richness of the Mada language. It is intended to help standardise the spelling of Mada words and to define words which are no longer in current use, especially cultural terms. The primary goal is to assist Mada speakers to use and spell words correctly. We hope also that the dictionary will be useful to students of the languages of Nigeria and of African languages in general. An introduction has been provided to facilitate the effective use of the dictionary. It covers Mada phonology; current orthography; sketch of Mada grammar; Mada language use; abbreviations; and the structure of individual entries. The appendices provide information of both cultural interest, such as Mada personal names, towns and villages; and words developed for Mada Bible Translation. The original source of the present document was a dictionary file prepared by Norman and Barbara Price in relation to the translation of the New Testament, a project finally finished and launched in 2000. However, the entries have been rechecked and in some cases retranscribed, many new items entered and it should be thus considered an essentially new document. We are aware that there are still many Mada words which have eluded us and that some words here defined may have secondary meanings that are not included. This is a draft circulated to interested individuals and therefore we would be grateful if any suggestions for amendment, correction and addition could be forwarded to the authors at the addresses given below.