Analyse du champ lexical des instruments de musique dogon

Abstract

This study offers a linguistic analysis of the lexical field of musical instruments in Dogon culture, where music plays a significant role in daily life, in rituals, and ceremonies. Musical instruments, imbued with strong symbolic and social functions, are designated by a rich and specific lexicon. However, their lexical field remains poorly documented and understudied in dogon linguistic and ethnomusicological literature. This study adopts an ethnolinguistic perspective. The main objective is to establish an inventory of musical instruments in order to contribute to the documentation and safeguarding of Dogon linguistic heritage. The methodological approach adopted is qualitative, descriptive, and interpretive, structured around three main axes: the collection of linguistic data, lexical analysis, and ethnolinguistic interpretation. The results have revealed a structured collection of terms related to Dogon musical instruments, including the names of the instruments, their components, verbs associated with playing techniques, as well as expressions describing sounds and ritual uses. This study contributes to a better understanding of the connection between language, culture, and music, as well as the intangible heritage of the Dogon people, and to the ongoing documentation of African languages.