Bassa language
Encyclopedia
The Bassa language is a Kru language spoken by about 350,000 people in Liberia
and 5,000 in Sierra Leone
by Bassa people
.
It has an indigenous script, Vah
, developed before 1907 by Thomas Narvin Lewis (c.1880-?) while he was studying at Syracuse University
in the United States. The first primer was printed by Lyman Brothers circa 1907. Dr. Lewis returned to Liberia where he began teaching his script to Bassa children. The language was taught in some of the Poro society schools.
The script has been described as one which, "like the system long in use among the Vai
, consists of a series of phonetic characters standing for syllables." In fact, however, the Vah script is alphabetic. It includes 30 consonants, seven vowels, and five tones that are indicated by dots and lines inside of each vowel.
In the 1970s the United Bible Societies
(UBS) published a translation of the New Testament. June Hobley, of Liberia Inland Mission, was primarily responsible for the translation. The International Phonetic Alphabet
(IPA) was used for this translation rather than the Vah script, mostly for practical reasons related to printing. Because the Bassa people had a tradition of writing, they quickly adapted to the new script, and thousands learned to read.
In 2005, UBS published the entire Bible in Bassa. The translation was sponsored by the Christian Education Foundation of Liberia, Christian Reformed World Missions, and UBS. Don Slager headed a team of translators that included Seokin Payne, Robert Glaybo, and William Boen.
The IPA has largely replaced the Vah script in publications. However, the Vah script is still highly respected and is still in use by some older men, primarily for record keeping.
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
and 5,000 in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
by Bassa people
Bassa (Liberia)
The Bassa are a people of Liberia, living in Grand Bassa, Rivercess,Margibi and Montserrado counties, who speak the Bassa language, a Kru language. They number about 350,000 . They have their own writing system, called "Bassa" or "Vah," which was developed around 1900. There are also about 5000...
.
It has an indigenous script, Vah
Bassa Vah
The Bassa script, known as Bassa vah or simply vah was an alphabet designed by, or with the help of, Liberian missionaries in the 1920s. It is not clear what connection it may have had with neighboring scripts, or how much it was actually used, but type was cast for it, and an association for its...
, developed before 1907 by Thomas Narvin Lewis (c.1880-?) while he was studying at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
in the United States. The first primer was printed by Lyman Brothers circa 1907. Dr. Lewis returned to Liberia where he began teaching his script to Bassa children. The language was taught in some of the Poro society schools.
The script has been described as one which, "like the system long in use among the Vai
Vai
Vai has several possible meanings:* Vaï, Moroccan-French Canadian rapper* Vai people** Vai language** Vai syllabary* Vai * Văi, a village in Lupşa Commune, Alba County, Romania* Steve Vai, guitarist* Steve Vai's band Vai - see Steve Vai...
, consists of a series of phonetic characters standing for syllables." In fact, however, the Vah script is alphabetic. It includes 30 consonants, seven vowels, and five tones that are indicated by dots and lines inside of each vowel.
In the 1970s the United Bible Societies
United Bible Societies
The United Bible Societies is a worldwide association of Bible societies. In 1946 delegates from 13 countries formed the UBS, as an effort to coordinate the activities of the bible societies. The first headquarters were London and in Geneva...
(UBS) published a translation of the New Testament. June Hobley, of Liberia Inland Mission, was primarily responsible for the translation. The International Phonetic Alphabet
International Phonetic Alphabet
The International Phonetic Alphabet "The acronym 'IPA' strictly refers [...] to the 'International Phonetic Association'. But it is now such a common practice to use the acronym also to refer to the alphabet itself that resistance seems pedantic...
(IPA) was used for this translation rather than the Vah script, mostly for practical reasons related to printing. Because the Bassa people had a tradition of writing, they quickly adapted to the new script, and thousands learned to read.
In 2005, UBS published the entire Bible in Bassa. The translation was sponsored by the Christian Education Foundation of Liberia, Christian Reformed World Missions, and UBS. Don Slager headed a team of translators that included Seokin Payne, Robert Glaybo, and William Boen.
The IPA has largely replaced the Vah script in publications. However, the Vah script is still highly respected and is still in use by some older men, primarily for record keeping.