'Tanzania' in this case does not exclude the possibility that the particular word or pronunciation might also be found in southern areas of Kenya, e.g. Words that are (as far as we know) unique to the southern dialects have been indicated in the dictionary by the addition of '(Tz/ (short for 'Tanzania') following the English and Swahili definitions. Words and phrases have also been contributed by speakers from other parts of the Digo area, including Likoni township in the north and the village of Mpande near Tanga in Tanzania (at the south western tip of the Digo area). Although we have not attempted to standardise Digo in any way, the dictionary reflects the fact that the Digo Language and Literacy Project has been most active in the area between Waa and Tiwi at the coast (approximately fifteen kilometres south of Mombasa), and inland as far as Kwale and Golini (approximately twenty kilometres from the coast). Like most languages, Digo has various dialects, which differ in both pronunciation and the words used.
Our aim is to provide a comprehensive description of Digo words and phrases, and any reverse list would inevitably omit many Digo words for which there is no obvious English or Swahili equivalent. There is no reverse list of English and/or Swahili words with definitions in Digo because the focus of the dictionary is the Digo language. In many cases a single word or a brief phrase is sufficient to define the Digo word or phrase, but often a longer explanation is required, as, for example, when defining a word OT phrase which describes a cultural phenomenon. Words and phrases in Digo are listed alphabetically in the dictionary and definitions of these words and phrases are given in English and Swahili. This is a trilingual dictionary, that is, a dictionary in three languages: Digo (or Chidigo), English, and Swahili (or Kiswahili). More information about the Digo language and people can be found in the appendices at the back of the dictionary. The dictionary is intended for use by speakers of Chidigo, the Digo language, and also for non-Digos who want to learn more about the Digo language. This project is part of Bible Translation and Literacy (East Africa), a Kenyan non-governmental organisation which exists to promote the use of the local languages in education, community development, and religious activities. Preface This Digo-English-Swahili dictionary has been compiled as part of the ongoing work of the Digo Language and Literacy Project. In cooperation with Digo Language and Literacy Project P.O. Mgombato Digo-English-Swahili Dictionary compiled by Joseph Mwalonya, Alison Nicolle, Steve Nicolle and Juma Zimbu
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