An English-Hausa dictionary /

Hausa dictionaries are almost all unidirectional, a common characteristic of African lexicons, so most works are from Hausa to English only. An exception is Neil Skinner's Kamus na Hausa da Turanci (Zaria, 1965), but Skinner's work is directed toward the Hausa themselves, students who wish to improve their English (though it has been used as a guide by English speakers for years). Newman's dictionary is thus unique, one intended for the English speaker wishing to learn Hausa. The result is a work very different from Skinner's. Through a system of symbols she takes into account some of the most difficult aspects of the language, notably plurality and the complex verbal grade system, both major hurdles for Hausa learners. Hausa definitions are marked for tone and length, a feature that will obviously aid pronunciation. Using abundant examples, especially for idiomatic uses, Newman has produced an eminently useful dictionary for the serious Hausa student. Added to the dictionary are useful appendixes including pronoun paradigms, pronunciation of Hausa personal names, a pronouncing gazetteer of Nigeria and Niger, as well as foreign names and a description of the currency systems of Nigeria and Niger. This is a major work, suitable for libraries where African studies or linguistics are taught. -D. Westley, Boston University