Gilles Bibbeau : Laval University, Quebec, Canada
In Soc. Sci. Med. Vol. 15B. pp. 295 to 307, 1981
Abstract
This paper which relies very much on linguistics, proposes a circular semantic network as an original framework for organizing nosological terms used by the Angbandi of Zaire. Such a framework is presented as an alternative to ethnosemantist and structuralist classifications. Building on this new interprelation of Angbandi nosology, the paper presents in the last section the notions of iconicity and circularity as key fratures of Angbandi medical science.
REFERENCES
1. Ngbandi is a tonal language built on three basic and three composed tones, a complex vocalic and consonantic system ; to transcribe the language, I use the following diacritic signs : low tone ‘, middle tone ‘, high tone high low tone low high tone -, low high low tone These tones are put on vowels. Vowel nasalization is transcribed in the following way : à. è, ÎÏ, à and ù. Ngbandi distinguish between closed e (el and opened e (g), closeä o (o) and opened o (Q). The consonantic systent bas been transcribed following usual notation : b (bw), g (gb, gw). k (kpw. kpm, kw), tri (mb). n (nd. ng. ngb. ngbw, ngw, nv, nw, ny, riz).
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