This paper touches upon the process of mapping spoken languages onto writing
systems. Case studies relating to two endangered languages of Ethiopia, Ts’amakko
and Ongota are presented. The discussion concerns two kinds of mapping,
transcription for descriptive purposes and orthography for literary and literacy
purposes. It is shown that transcription is more scientific and precise but less
readable than orthography, that is more user-friendly for the wider public and the
community of speakers.
