Abstract

This study set out to trace the historical and phonological reading of the English language use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division. It is influenced by the creation of schools, the presence of the market, the role of the church and the creation of roads, which has helped in the spread of the English language in Bachuo-Ntai.

There is a history of English in Bachuo-Ntai, so it is therefore important to trace it.

We, therefore, encourage the Bachuo-Ntai community to cultivate a habit of knowing their history and also how the language they speak and use came about.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Bachuo-Ntai is a small village situated in Manyu division about 9km away from the main capital town Mamfe. The main occupation of the indigenes of Bachuo-Ntai is farming. The village was founded by a native of Bachuo who decided to form a family that has grown and is today known as Bachuo-Ntai.

It was named after the Second World War by whites following the final implantation of the British in southern Cameroon. Bachuo-Ntai means “they came from a stone”. It is a direct translation from Kenyang because “vachuop” means they have come and ”Ntai” means stone. The /b/sound is absent in Kenyang so /v/ is used instead. An example is bachuo pronounced vachuo. It was just modified by the Whiteman to be Bachuo-Ntai.

During that time, the main language used by the indigenes of Bachuo-Ntai was the vernacular Kenyang and the first paramount ruler was Nfor Egberrey hence the name Ntai egbeareng for the offsprings of the nfor and all the villagers. Ejagham and Denyang were also used since they had inter­marriages from their upper Banyang and cross -river brothers respectively.

Kenyang was predominantly used until 18^th when the missionaries arrived and they started building schools where Duala and English were the main languages taught. Duala was used as a foundation class for English to be taught. Thereafter the former was used in infants 1, 2 and3: If you successfully passed this stage, then you were legible to earn English in school.

This brought a lot of resistance against the whites from the natives who hated the fact that their culture, language, and land were gradually being seized and taken away from them. The seizure of their lands caused them to come up with the popular statement “don’t come and chop our land”.

The people reacted by sending the missionaries away about some 3km to present-day Okoyong where the Queen of the Rosary College was built. With time, the indigenes realised the advantages of going to school and to learn this new and strange language. As their children went to study and when they came back news of English spread among them

English language in Bachuo-Ntai has grown. When it came, it was spoken by a few who managed to have the opportunity to attend school but most people saw learning English as a taboo or as a waste of time. Today English has stood its ground among the Bachuo-Ntai people in particular and Manyu in general hence the saying “Bayangi man mix grammar plus contry talk ”

Reasons for Choosing the Area and Subject under Investigation

An interesting characteristic that makes humans different from animals is their interest in their society’s past. It is important that we know what had happened to the English language among the Manyu people. This will help us understand the way they speak and articulate their words

Bachuo-Ntai was chosen because it is my village and it will be easier for me to contact elders from there more than any other place for the interview. It is also because of its importance to Mamfe Central that if something is written down about it, it will not only serve as a secondary source for further research but also as a valid document for archives.

Definition of Terms

History, The Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary(8^th edition:711) defines history as the study of records or past events in relation to time dates and places or the study of past events (action) and their impact on the present especially events of a particular period country or subject.

Phonology, The speech sounds of a particular language; the study of these sounds.

Development comes from the infinitive verb “to develop” which means to cause something to grow or change through time, to become more advanced (p400). An interest in the past is one thing that distinguishes us human beings compared to animals.

Statement of the Problem

The main problem of this study is that the Bachuo-Ntai people experienced language contact. It is, therefore, an issue to find out the events surrounding the contact of English in Manyu in general and English language in Bachuo- Ntai in particular, its spread and usage as well as the effects it brings.

Objective of the Study

The purpose of this study is to trace and establish a historical and phonological reading of English use among the Bachuo-Ntai people.

To understand how the language evolves and sees its language social cohesion.

Research Questions

How has the English language developed in Bachuo-Ntai?

Is there a difference between the history of the English Language from that in Bachuo-Ntai?

How does the English Language in Bachuo-Ntai survive along with other languages?

A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division, A Historical and Phonological Reading of English Language Use in Bachuo-Ntai, Manyu Division