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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The contribution of C.M. Doke to written Shona
Author:Fortune, GeorgeISNI
Year:1993
Periodical:African Studies
Volume:52
Issue:2
Pages:103-129
Language:English
Geographic term:Zimbabwe
Subjects:writing systems
Shona language
External link:https://doi.org/10.1080/00020189308707781
Abstract:Clement Martyn Doke (1893-1980) was the founding Professor of Bantu Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is appropriately regarded as the 'father of southern African linguistics'. This article deals with his research into the relationships between the Shona dialects and his proposals for a single writing system to serve those who spoke them. The orthography proposed by Doke included, amongst others, a suggestion to add eight special symbols to supplement the ordinary Roman letters. His proposals met with much criticism and opposition. The South African Minister of Native Affairs opposed introducing the new orthography in his department, and the division of opinion on the issue caused the country to have two Shona orthographies, side by side, from 1931 to 1955. With literacy becoming more and more widespread, and dependence upon written Shona ever greater in the conduct of everyday life, the existence of two official and several unofficial forms of writing the language was becoming more and more embarrassing in the early 1950s. In December 1953 the Native Affairs Department (NAD) took the initiative to test public opinion on the question. The results of its enquiry showed that a majority of the respondents was in favour of the Roman alphabet orthography. In the event, however, many of Doke's recommendations were included in the official 'Guide to standard Shona spelling' of 1955. Bibliogr., notes, ref.
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