linguistics Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. It is called a scientific study because it entails a comprehensive, systematic, objective, and precise analysis of all aspects of language, particularly its nature and structure. Linguis ...

, Bongo-Bongo is used as a name for an

imaginary language A constructed language (sometimes called a conlang) is a language whose phonology, grammar, and vocabulary, instead of having developed naturally, are consciously devised for some purpose, which may include being devised for a work of fiction. ...

. It is most commonly invoked in etymological studies to conceptualize random similarities between unrelated languages. Trask, R.L. ''The History of Basque'' Routledge: 1997 It has also been used as a name for a

constructed language A constructed language (sometimes called a conlang) is a language whose phonology, grammar, and vocabulary, instead of having developed naturally, are consciously devised for some purpose, which may include being devised for a work of fiction. ...

invented by John Lyons as a teaching tool in linguistics.Murray, N. ''Writing Essays in English Language and Linguistics: Principles, Tips and Strategies for Undergraduates''

Cambridge University Press Cambridge University Press is the university press of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by Henry VIII of England, King Henry VIII in 1534, it is the oldest university press A university press is an academic publishing hou ...

(2012)

Etymological studies

Many entirely coincidental similarities have been documented and regularly occur between both related and unrelated languages and these are commonly disregarded in the academic study of etymology. The widespread habit of unscientific researches to look for such coincidental similarities and proclaim them as proof of genetic relationship has given rise to the term ''Bongo-Bongo approach'' or ''Bongo-Bongo effect''. For example, when comparing random surface forms in

Basque Basque may refer to: * Basques, an ethnic group of Spain and France * Basque language, their language Places * Basque Country (greater region), the homeland of the Basque people with parts in both Spain and France * Basque Country (autonomous co ...

and Hungarian (which are known to be unrelated languages), "pairings" such as (Basque for "ridge") and (Hungarian for "hill") are easily found but ultimately meaningless in terms of etymology without additional historical linguistic research and data in regards to their origin. It could be just as easily argued that the two developed independently in their respective languages, being words that use sounds common to all human languages for a common object or idea.

In anthropology

The concept can also be found occasionally in

anthropology Anthropology is the scientific study of humanity, concerned with human behavior, human biology, cultures, societies, and linguistics, in both the present and past, including past human species. Social anthropology studies patterns of behavi ...

where the ''Bongo-Bongo'' are sarcastically used as an imaginary tribe or ethnicity (or by extension,

Bongo Bongo Land In British English, Bongo Bongo Land (or Bongo-bongo Land) is a pejorative term used to refer to Third World countries, particularly in Africa, or to a fictional such country. Possible origins The origin of the term is unclear but it may come fr ...

).Kippenberg, HG (ed) ''Concepts of Person in Religion and Thought (Religion and Reason, No 37)''

de Gruyter Walter de Gruyter GmbH, known as De Gruyter (), is a German scholarly publishing house specializing in academic literature. History The roots of the company go back to 1749 when Frederick the Great granted the Königliche Realschule in Be ...

(1990)

References

{{reflist Anthropology Constructed languages Linguistics terminology Etymology Pseudolinguistics

Etymological studies

In anthropology

See also

References