How Do Dongba Glyphs Transcribe IPA? Analysis of a Note by a Ruke Dongba Priest Learning IPA

Bibliographic Data

ID6014629
AuthorsDuoduo Xu (0000-0001-6734-8405, Nanyang Technological University, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume2
Issue2
Pages64-73
Publication date2022-06-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHumans (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2673-9461 • E-ISSN: 2673-9461
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/humans2020005
OpenAlexW4281661818
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited7

Dongba script is one of the very few pictographic writing systems still surviving in the world. The script evolved over time, and this is reflected by the correspondence between its written symbols and the related spoken language. During my fieldwork, I witnessed occasionally when Dongba glyphs have been analysed to write down IPA symbols based on Latin alphabet. This is an innovative application of Dongba pictographs, through the use of traditional scriptures and vernacular documents. This study provides insights into processes of adaptation in situations of contact between the Dongba pictographic writing system and the International Phonetic Alphabet and aims to shed light on structural issues pertaining to the phonological units of the Naxi language. According to the present research, Dongba glyphs can identify initials quite efficiently, yet they are not efficient in distinguishing rhymes and tones. At the same time, a phonemic chart written in Dongba glyphs shows to be a valuable tool to double-check the phonemic system. Moreover, some sound changes of Ruke Naxi are attested and assessed in this note

Alphabet · Archaeology · Linguistics · Natural language processing · Naxi · Speech recognition · Vernacular · Writing system · Computer Science · History · Linguistic Variation and Morphology · Media, Communication, and Education · Phonetics and Phonology Research

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