Pius W. Akumbu, PhD

Associate Professor of Linguistics

University of Missouri-Columbia

Program in Linguistics, Department of English

Tel: +1(573) 529-9011

Email: akumbu.pius@ubuea.cm

https://pakumbu.jimdo.com

 

A. Education   

 

2007:          PhD in Linguistics, The University of Yaounde 1, Cameroon.

                    Area: Phonology. Dissertation Title: Njem Tonology

                    Supervisors: Ngessimo M. Mutaka & Sammy B. Chumbow

2001:          Diploma of Advanced Studies (D.E.A.) in Linguistics, The University of Yaounde 1.

2000:          High School Teacher’s Diploma, English Language, Higher Teachers’ Training College, The University of Yaounde 1.

1999:          MA in Linguistics, The University of Yaounde 1.

1997:          BA in Linguistics, The University of Yaounde 1.

 

B. Academic Appointments

 

July 2021-Dec. 2021:     Visiting Professor, Program in Linguistics, Department of English, University of Missouri-Columbia, USA.

Jan. 2019-June 2021:     Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow, Asia-Africa Institute, Universität Hamburg, Germany.

Oct. 2019-Mar. 2020:     Part time Professor of African Linguistics, Asia-Africa Institute, Universität Hamburg, Germany.

Nov. 2017-Dec. 2018:    Associate Professor of Linguistics, Department of Linguistics, University of Buea, Cameroon.

Sept. 2015-May 2016:    Fulbright African Research Scholar, University of California, Berkeley.

July-Oct. 2013:                 Visiting Research Scholar, Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto University, Japan.

July- Sept 2011:               German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD) Short-term Research Stay, Asia-Africa Institute, Universität Hamburg,                   Germany.

May 2010-Oct. 2017:     Senior Lecturer, Department of Linguistics, University of Buea.

Oct. 2008-Apr. 2010:      Assistant Lecturer, Department of Linguistics, University of Buea.

Sept. 2003-Aug. 2008:   High School Teacher of English Language, Government Bilingual High School, Tibati, Cameroon.

Oct. 2001-Jul. 2002:       Part time Lecturer of Linguistics, Department of African Studies, University of Dschang, Cameroon.

 

 

C. Administrative Appointments

 

Aug. 2017-Dec. 2018:     Head of Service for Research and Cooperation, Higher Institute of Transport and Logistics, The University of Bamenda.

Nov. 2017-Sept 2018:     Acting Head of Department of Maritime Transport, Higher Institute of Transport and Logistics, The University of Bamenda.

June 2011-Jul 2017:        Director, Centre for African Languages and Cultures, University of Buea.

Sept. 2003-Aug. 2008:    Head of English Department, Government Bilingual High School, Tibati.

 

D. Awards

 

2019:      Humboldt Georg Forster Fellowship for Experienced Researchers to work on a Polylectal Grammar of Central Ring Grassfields Languages. Universität Hamburg, Germany. Approximately 100,000 EUR (Period: Jan. 2019–June 2021).

2018:        Cameroon-US government Alumni East Regional Outreach Grant. Higher Teachers’ Training College, Bertoua, Cameroon. Amount: $500 (Period: Sept. –Nov. 2018).

2017:         Foundation for Endangered Languages (FEL), USA grant for the “Documentation and Publication of Babanki Folktales”. Amount: $1,000 (Period: Mar. –Nov. 2018).

2016:        Endangered Languages Fund (ELF), USA grant for “Babanki Teacher Training and Production of Literacy Materials”. Amount: $4,000            (Period: Mar. –Aug. 2017).

2015:         Fulbright African Research Scholar Grant, University of California, Berkeley. Amount: $32,000 (Period: Sept 1, 2015May 31, 2016).

2014:         Firebird Foundation for Anthropological Research, Phillips, Maine, USA Fellowship for the “Multimedia Documentation of Babanki Oral          Literature”. Amount: $10,000 (Period: Oct. 2014Sept. 2015).

2013:         Endangered Languages Documentation Programme (ELDP), School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London Small Grant for the “Multimedia Documentation of Babanki Ritual Speech”. Amount: £9,994 (Period: Dec. 2013Nov. 2014).

2013:         Visiting Research Scholar, Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto University, Japan. Approximately $20,000 (Period:  JulyOct. 2013).

2011:        German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD) Short-term research Stay, Asia-Africa Institute, Universität Hamburg. Amount: 6,295 EUR (Period: July 2011Sept. 2011).

 

E. Professional Activities

 

i. Conferences, workshops and seminars

 Sept. 1, 2021:            Focus on Africa Series, African Interdisciplinary Studies Hub, University of Missouri-Columbia

Paper presented: Languages in and of education in Africa: The future of indigenous languages.

July 13, 2021:           24th Afrikanist*innentag, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main,

Paper presented: Bubbling belly and bursting bile: The linguistic expression of anger in Babanki.

July 13, 2021:           24th Afrikanist*innentag, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main,

Paper presented: The expression of commands, warnings and threats in Babanki.

June 712, 2021:       10th World Congress of African Linguistics, Leiden University (WOCAL10).

Paper presented: Grammatical functions of the Babanki nasal prefix.

June 712, 2021:        10th World Congress of African Linguistics, Leiden University (WOCAL10).

Paper presented: Emergency linguicism: Linguistic minorities of North-West Cameroon in emergencies

May 19, 2021:            Departmental Colloquium, University of Hamburg.

Paper presented: Literal and metaphorical usages of Babanki eat and drink verbs

0810 April, 2021:      51st-52nd Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL 51-52), University of Florida, USA.

                                       Paper presented: Vowel quality and stress in African tone languages: The case of Babanki.

0810 April, 2021:      51st-52nd Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL 51-52), University of Florida, USA.

                                        Paper presented: The expression of qualities in Babanki.

2729 March, 2021:   Endangered Language Project (ELP) Helpdesk Workshop, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, USA.

                                       Group discussion focus: Supporting multilingualism and robust language ecologies

Feb. 13, 2021:            Cameroon Academy of Young Scientists’ Webinar Series.

Presentation Title: The role of indigenous languages in COVID-19 communication in Cameroon

Jan. 20, 2021:            School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London Linguistics Seminars.

Presentation Title: Language documentation and the empowerment of target community members

Jan. 6, 2021:              Departmental Colloquium, University of Hamburg.

Paper presented: The expression of emotions in Babanki

Nov. 27, 2020:           Guest speaker, “Introduction to language documentation class”, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London. 

Discussion focus: Language documentation in Cameroon: Experiences and perspectives

July 10, 2020:            Field Notes podcast, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London. 

Discussion focus: Insider research in Babanki

    https://fieldnotespod.com/2020/07/10/ep-24-pius-akumbu-on-insider-research-in-babanki/

May 18, 2020:           Departmental Colloquium, University of Hamburg.

Paper presented: The conjoint/disjoint alternation in Babanki

Dec. 1314, 2019:      Afranaph Project Development Workshop III. Georgetown University, Washington DC.

Paper presented: Tense-Aspect marking in Babanki

Nov. 15, 2019:             Indigenous Languages Colloquium. Rutgers University, New Jersey.

                                       Paper Presented: Opportunities and challenges of mother-tongue education in multilingual settings: The case of Babanki, Cameroon

Oct 30Nov. 2, 2019:  International Year of Indigenous Languages 2019: Perspectives Conference. Purdue University, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

                                       Plenary Speaker: Languages in and of education in Africa: The future of indigenous languages

                                       Panelist: Indigenous perspectives

2325 May, 2019:       50th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL 50), University of British Columbia, Canada.

                                       Paper presented: Vowel assimilation to onset place in Kejom.

2325 May, 2019:       50th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL 50), University of British Columbia, Canada.

Paper presented: A segmental reconstruction of Proto Central Ring.

April 1517, 2019:       Typology of Small Scale Multilingualism conference. Dynamique du Language (CNRS & Université Lumière Lyon 2) Lyon. 

                                        Paper presented: Multilingualism among the Mbororo of Northwest Cameroon: An overview

April 35, 2019             Humboldt network meeting, University of Leipzig, Germany.

                                  Paper presented: A grammar of Central Ring Grassfields Bantu languages

March 2729, 2019:    Descriptive Grammars and Typology: The challenges of writing grammars of underdescribed and endangered languages conference. University of Helsinki, Finland.

                                        Plenary Speaker: Reflections on a community-based approach to writing grammars of endangered languages

Sept. 1315, 2018:      Cameroon-US government Alumni Fair ‘Connect-Inspire-Impact: Nursing the next generation of Cameroon’s leaders’. US Embassy, Yaounde.

                                        Keynote Address: Thinking and creating: Key to development

Jan. 56 2018:              First National Symposium on Cameroonian Languages (NASCAL),

SIL Cameroon and University of Yaounde I.

Paper presented: Verbal extensions in Grassfields Bantu

Aug. 12, 2017:              ‘African MultilingualismS’ conference, Univeristy of Yaounde I.

Paper presented: Understanding language diversity among the Mbororo of Northwest Cameroon

April 6, 2016:            Guest lecture, Graduate School, Arts and Sciences, Governors State University, Chicago.

                                  Topic: Language policy and practice in Cameroon

March 2326, 2016:   47th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL47), University of California, Berkeley.

                                  Paper presented: A featural analysis of mid and downstepped high tone in Babanki

Feb. 57, 2016:          Berkeley Linguistics Society (BLS) 42nd annual meeting, UC Berkeley.

                                  Paper presented: Babanki coda consonant deletion and vowel raising:  A case of allomorphy

Jan 710, 2016:          Linguistic Society of America (LSA) 90th Annual Meeting. Marriott Marquis, Washington D.C.

Paper presented: Babanki literacy classes and community-based language research

Dec. 3, 2015:             Guest lecture, Linguistics Department, University of Texas at Arlington.

Topic: Single underlying representations vs. allomorphy: The case of Babanki coda consonant deletion

Nov. 1922, 2015:      58th Annual Meeting of the African Studies Association (ASA). Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Mariner, San Diego, California.

                                  Paper presented: Central Ring Grassfields Bantu languages

Dec. 1214, 2013:      Afranaph Project Workshop II, Rutgers University, New Jersey.

Paper presented: Competing Babanki anaphors

Dec. 57, 2013:          VolkswagenStiftung Conference ‘Digital Humanities Revisited: Challenges and Opportunities in the Digital Age’, Hanover, Germany.

Paper presented: Multimedia documentation of lesser known languages in Northwest Cameroon

Oct. 12, 2013:            Invited speaker, Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Japan.

                                 Paper presented: Babanki verb tone

Oct. 56, 2013:         ‘International Symposium on Conflict Resolution and Coexistence: African Potentials 2013’, Kyoto University, Japan.

                                 Poster presented: Inter-tribal wars in Northwest Cameroon

April 1519, 2013:     Guest Lecturer of Phonological Theory, Department of Linguistics, University of São Paolo, Brazil.

                                  Course taught: Introduction to Register Tier Theory (MA and PhD class).

June 30July 1, 2011: DOBES workshop, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen.

                                  Paper presented: Unreleased stops in Bezen

Aug. 1721, 2009:       6th World Congress for African Linguistics, University of Cologne, Germany.

Paper presented: Tone on the associative construction in Kejom (Babanki)

 

 

ii. Research

 

Jan. 2019–June 2021:   Alexander von Humboldt Researcher on the seven Central Ring Grassfields Bantu languages (Babanki, Bum, Kom, Kuk, Kung,    Mmen, Oku) of Northwest Cameroon. Universität Hamburg.

2014present:               Senior personnel in the Key Pluridisciplinary Advances on African Multilingualism – Cameroon (KPAAM-CAM) project for the          mentoring of Cameroonian students, University at Buffalo/University of Buea.

                                         https://ubwp.buffalo.edu/kpaamcam/2018/03/08/pius-akumbu/

 

 

Oct. 20112014:           Researcher with the Volkswagen Foundation (DoBeS) sponsored project: Documentation of Bezen. University of Buea/Universität Hamburg.

Dec. 2010–2014:          Researcher with the Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation sponsored project: A Polylectal Grammar Sketch and Trilingual Dictionary of Nkon. University of Buea/Universität Hamburg.

July 20102013:        Consultant with the National Science Foundation (USA) sponsored project: Anaphora in the African Languages. Department of Linguistics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Dec. 2013Nov. 2014:  Multimedia Documentation of Babanki Ritual Speech. Sponsored by the Endangered Languages Documentation Programme, SOAS, London.

Sept. 2000Dec. 2004: Sociolinguistics Surveyor, Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) International, Cameroon.

 

III. Synergistic Activities

 

Since Jan. 2021           Member of UNESCO’s Ad-hoc Group for the Preparation of the Global Action Plan for the Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL2022-2032).

2020–present:            Member of the scientific advisory board, Afrika und Übersee, University of Hamburg. https://www.aai.uni-hamburg.de/afrika/ueber-die-abteilung/publikationen/afrika-und-uebersee.html.

2020present:            Reviewer for the Journal of the Cameroon Academy of Sciences (JCAS).

2019present:            Reviewer of grant applications for the National Science Foundation, USA.

2019present:            Reviewer of grant applications for the Endangered Languages Fund, USA.

2019present:            Reviewer for Linguistics Vanguard.

2014present:            Reviewer of grant applications for the Endangered Languages Documentation Programme (ELDP), SOAS, London.

Nov. 2018Nov. 2019: Member of the organizing committee of the UN International Year of Indigenous Languages 2019 Perspectives Conference, Purdue University, Fort Wayne. https://iyil2019perspectives.org/organizing-committee/.

Sept. 1315, 2018:       Member of the organizing committee of the first Cameroon-US government Alumni Fair ‘Connect-Inspire-Impact: Nursing the next generation of Cameroon’s leaders’, US Embassy, Yaounde.

20122017:                  Organized monthly seminars at the Centre for African Languages and Cultures, University of Buea.

Mar. 2326, 2016:        Member of the organizing committee of the 47th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL47), University of California, Berkeleyhttp://linguistics.berkeley.edu/acal47/

June 6, 2014:               Organized the Language Documentation and Archiving Workshop. Centre for African Languages and Cultures, University of Buea.

2013:                            Reviewer for Studies in African Linguistics, USA.

20122013:                     Reviewer for California Linguistic Notes, California State University, Fullerton.

20122013:                   Reviewer for the Journal of West African Languages, London.

2012:                            Reviewer for the African Language Association of South Africa.

Aug. 2024, 2012:        Member of the organizing committee of the World Congress of African Linguistics (WOCAL) 7, University of Buea.

 

Feb. 1828, 2008:          Organized the Foundations for Grammar 3 (Verb Phrase Description) course, SIL International, Bamenda.

  

V. Membership in Organizations

 

2018present:             Cameroon Academy of Young Scientists (CAYS) 

2012present:             Foundation for Endangered Languages (FEL).

2009present:             World Congress of African Linguistics (WOCAL).

2016:                             Linguistics Society of America (LSA)

2016:                             Association of Contemporary African Linguistics (ACAL).

20102014:                 Central African Research and Innovation Management Association (CARIMA).

20082017:                 Kejom Ketinguh Cultural and Development Association, Buea branch.