Gabon Unveils First Bilingual Ghisir Dictionary After Three Decades of Dedicated Work

Gabon has taken a monumental step toward safeguarding its rich linguistic heritage by officially presenting the nation's first-ever comprehensive bilingual dictionary, which meticulously links French and the Ghisir language. This monumental undertaking, which represents the culmination of thirty years of intensive linguistic research and dedicated fieldwork, was formally launched on October 31, 2025, at the prestigious National Museum of Libreville. The central, driving objective of this comprehensive dictionary is twofold: first, to breathe new life into the Ghisir language, which is currently classified as endangered, and second, to actively encourage its widespread and practical use within all relevant Gabonese communities. This initiative is a clear demonstration of Gabon’s deep commitment to preserving its intangible cultural assets and promoting linguistic diversity as a cornerstone of national identity.

The extensive scholarly project was expertly spearheaded by the renowned Gabonese linguist and researcher, Théodore Kwaou-Messanongui. Far exceeding the scope of a simple lexical collection, the resulting dictionary functions as a foundational cultural instrument essential for the accurate transmission of traditional knowledge across generations. The volume meticulously documents approximately 18,000 distinct lexemes. Crucially, it also incorporates standardized grammatical rules and establishes a unified alphabet, elements deemed absolutely vital for formal educational purposes and institutional adoption across the country. Significant technical attention was devoted to the complexities of Ghisir phonetics, a necessity for accurately describing the unique sounds and linguistic symbols that are often absent from, or difficult to render using, standard digital keyboards.

Within the broader Gabonese context, a nation celebrated for its linguistic tapestry, which is estimated to host around 40 distinct Bantu languages, this dictionary project strongly affirms the country’s commitment to self-determination through respect for its vast oral diversity. The Ghisir language, spoken primarily by the Ghisir people, is intrinsically linked to their territory, as the name also designates their ancestral land. This highlights the inseparable cultural and historical connection between the word, the individual, and the physical territory they inhabit. To further support interactive learning and ensure the language successfully integrates into the digital realm, a sophisticated mobile application is currently under development. This forthcoming app promises to significantly enrich the learning experience for students and enthusiasts alike, offering valuable audio materials, traditional proverbs, and authentic narrative texts, thereby making Ghisir fully accessible in the modern technological environment.

The dictionary is now available for purchase at a price point of 25,000 CFA francs and is being distributed exclusively through the publishing house Éditions Ntsame. It has been specifically designed to cater to a broad and diverse audience, including specialized academics, professional educators, families seeking to reconnect with their roots, and local community members. The official launch event was attended by high-ranking representatives from both the General Directorate of the National Museum and Éditions Ntsame, a presence that clearly signals robust governmental backing for the conservation of this critical intangible heritage. Furthermore, the NGO Dibundu Di Mutsonzigu, which played an active role in the project’s development, has already announced ambitious plans to organize public conferences and initiate grassroots community programs focused specifically on the crucial task of intergenerational language transmission. Building immediately on this foundational success, work is already scheduled to commence on dictionaries for several other key indigenous languages, including Fang, Omyene, and Nzebi, thereby reinforcing Gabon's overarching, long-term strategy to protect and celebrate its entire linguistic wealth.