Coorgi-Cox alphabet

Coorgi-cox alphabet

The Coorgi-Cox alphabet is an alphabet developed by the linguist Gregg M. Cox and is used by a number of individuals within Kodagu. It is used for the endemic language Kodava, also known sometimes as Coorgi, a minority language.^[1]

The Coorgi-Cox alphabet uses a combination of 26 consonants, five vowel markings and a diphthong marker. Each letter represents a single sound and there are no capital letters. A computer based font has been created for use with the alphabet.^[2]

The alphabet was developed out of the request by a group of native individuals to have their own unique script for Kodava Takk, and to distinguish the language on its own merits. Kodava Takk is generally written in the Kannada script, but can also be found written in the Malayalam script especially along the borders with Kerala. The new alphabet is intended to unify, and to provide a single alphabet to be used for all Kodava Takk speakers.^[3]

In order to introduce the alphabet, 10,000 CD booklets and 25,000 post cards with various scenes from the region were produced and distributed throughout the Coorg area in March and April 2005. Several books are being planned including a phrase book and dictionary.^[4]

References

1. ^ The Hindu, March 12, 2006.
2. ^ The Coorgi-Cox handbook, Feb. 2005.
3. ^ Gregg Cox, April 2005.
4. ^ Sujet publishers, Sep. 2007.