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Videos in Benga – GABON
A word on the Benga language…
Benga is spoken along the Gabonese coast – Cap Esterias and Cap Santa Clara, north of Libreville. Under 1000 people are able to use the language nowadays, and the number of people who speak Benga is constantly dropping. This is due in part to a progressive blend of the Benga into the neighbouring Myene community.
The linguistic categorization of Benga faces complexity. Similarities are found with languages spoken north of the Benga area as well as with languages spoken in the east (languages from the Kota-kele family).
The main traditional activity of the Benga people is fishing.
Equatorial Guinea also counts a few Benga dwellings, mainly on the island of Corisco.
Jean-Marie Hombert, 2009
Read description sheet on Benga
The videos in Benga
State of the language
Presentation of the Benga language by linguist Patrick Mouguiama-Daouda
Linguist : Patrick Mouguiama-Daouda
Image and sound : Muriel Lutz
Editing : Caroline Laurent
Society issues
Threats upon the turtles
Sand dollars
Crab fishing in the mangrove
Linguist : Patrick Mouguiama-Daouda
Image and sound : Muriel Lutz
Translation : Judicaël Yoland Ovenga
Editing : Caroline Laurent
Little words for everyday use in Benga
It is interesting to compare languages through their use of daily words and expressions (usually!) held as universal. Our shooting teams are requested to gather names given to colors, body parts, numbers, daily phrases, insults and slang… from all their interlocutors in their respective languages.
Numbers
Colors
Weekdays
Daily phrases
Words of children
Linguist : Patrick Mouguiama-Daouda
Image and sound : Muriel Lutz
Translation : Judicaël Yoland Ovenga
Editing : Caroline Laurent