Includes bibliographical references (p.9-10) Copy: published in Ngessimo M. Mutaka and Sanny B. Chumbow (eds), Research mate in African linguistics: focus on Cameroon, p. 323-332. Köln: Rüdiger Köppe Verlag An earlier version of this paper was presented at the Literacy Consultants' Training Seminar, SIL, Yaoundé, August 19-29, 1998