The Mokpe Alphabet

Culled from “Okoa li lánga na litila Mokpe (learn to read and write Bakweri)” by G. E. Ekobena

The Mokpe Alphabet is similar to that of English with the exception of three strange characters, which will be brought to you later. There are 21 consonants and 7 vowels. Here below is the Mokpe alphabet.

a mb ch nd e є

f gb i j nj ŋ k

kp l m mgb mw n ny

o c (reversed c or open O)

s t u v w y

The 21 consonants have the same sounds as in English, but four of them pose a problem of pronunciation to young speakers and writers of the Mokpe language.

They are f, s, v and w. Follow the description below very carefully.

"f"
In English the letter 'f' is a labio-dental fricative that is you use the lips and teeth to produce this sound, In Mokpe it is a bilabial fricative where you use both lips there by producing a sound as if you were blowing out a candle.

Practise sounding it several times.
Ff Ff Ff Ff

“s”
To produce the Mokpe 's' place the tip of tongue on the hard palate and let out the slowly producing a soft hissing sound, close the English 's'

Ss Ss Ss Ss Ss

'v' is produced using both lips, instead of placing the bottom lip on the Teeth as case in English. The letter 'w' is the same as in English, rounding both lips. Practise these two sounds and discover the difference.

Vv Vv Vv Vv
Ww Ww Ww Ww

Read the Following words aloud

'F'
Fáo - knife
fátâ - pluck
fimbâ - throw
fendâ - close

"S"
Sâ - dance
Sia - iron
Siaô - redants
Sosa - wash

"V"
valána - women
vána - children
vakpe - Bakweri
Veloma - scoldings
Velimo - spirits

"W"
waná - mouth
ewóka - compound
wana - You will fight
wotéá - begin

PRONUNCIATION OF NEW CHARACTERS

є as in p penny, lend, empty

ŋ as in hang, language, hungry

c (reversed c or open O) as in war, law, lawn

Comments

[Mojoko Ewusi]

If "fao" = Knife,
What is Cutlass?
I thought knife =luwendi
And Fao or Njambi =Cutlass

[Tad Davis]

Is Gertrude Okebena's book available anywhere? This is the only reference on the web and I would like to obtain a copy if possible.

Thanks,

Tad Davis
Seattle-Limbe Sister City Association

[Mary]

I persanally appreciate what you guyz have been doing so far as this site is concern to promote Bakweri culture. I am interested in getting a copy of ''Okoa li lánga na litila Mokpe'' by Getrude Ekobena, I will be very grateful if someone can let me know where I can buy.

Thanks,

Mary

[matute kale raymond]

please this book is likely the one I have to read to speak bakweri perfectly where can I obtain a copy and others also to learn my language
thanks

[Douma]

yeah, we call knife diwendi and knives mawendi, in plural. I'm happy to see a langage, which is similar to mine.

[Getrude Ekobena]

Comments of march 16,2004 taken care of in subsequent reprints. Copies available in presbook Limbe and with Raymond Ekobena.Tel
763-566-4510.

[Francis Mondembe Menyoli]

This is a break through in the Mokpe Language. We need to start teaching these alphabets and the language in general to the younger generation so we donot lose this precious language.

[Mariana]

I donot know how to express my gratitute to all the team of this web site it brings me fresh memories of my loved Beau thank u sooooooo much keep it up. Love u all