CALL for Uncommonly Taught African Languages: Computer Characterizations

The field of African language CALL is expanding rapidly as part of the general trend toward foreign language CALL. Yet the assumptions and needs of the learner in such instruction are quite different from that of the more commonly taught languages. African language instruction may not always be classroom-oriented: texts are seldom available for most of the uncommonly taught languages, and a native speaker as consultant may or may not have training in foreign language instruction. These factors have led to the need for self-standing, computer-driven instruction for these languages. This paper will discuss some assumptions regarding generative-based African language CALL, with references to Bantu languages and to one particular language (the OluTsootso dialect of Luyai, a language of Kenya), and describe elements of a computer program that produces superficial forms from underlying forms of that language. The paper will close with a discussion of some of the differences between computer characterizations of certain phonological phenomena and the generative linguist's description of such phenomena.