Noun Classes and Plurality in Bantu Languages

2021 ◽  
pp. 538-557
Author(s):  
Lutz Marten
Keyword(s):  
Classification System ◽  
Grammatical Gender ◽  
Bantu Languages ◽  
Class System ◽  
Noun Classes ◽  
Noun Class ◽  
Nominal Classification ◽  
Grammatical Number ◽  
Theoretical Analyses

Noun classes are a prominent grammatical feature of Bantu languages where typically each noun (or noun stem) is assigned to one of between fifteen and eighteen noun classes. Noun classes are often analysed as a form of nominal classification system and seen as belonging to the same domain as grammatical gender systems. Number in Bantu languages is mediated by the noun class system and the intricate interaction between noun class and number in Bantu has given rise to different theoretical analyses. The chapter focuses on three approaches to analysing grammatical number in Bantu languages—approaches based on an inflectional notion of number, those which analyse number as a derivational relation, and approaches adopting notions of polysemy and paradigms for analysing Bantu noun class systems.

scholarly journals The gender system of Longuda

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-346
Author(s):  
Julius-Maximilian Elstermann ◽  
Ines Fiedler ◽  
Tom Güldemann
Keyword(s):  
Historical Reconstruction ◽  
Classifier System ◽  
Class System ◽  
Nominal Form ◽  
Noun Class ◽  
Nominal Classification ◽  
Gender System

Abstract This article describes the gender system of Longuda. Longuda class marking is alliterative and does not distinguish between nominal form and agreement marking. While it thus appears to be a prototypical example of a traditional Niger-Congo “noun-class” system, this identity of gender encoding makes it look morpho-syntactic rather than lexical. This points to a formerly independent status of the exponents of nominal classification, which is similar to a classifier system and thus less canonical. Both types of class marking hosts involve two formally and functionally differing allomorphs, which inform the historical reconstruction of Longuda noun classification in various ways.

scholarly journals Phonotactics of noun class disambiguation in Xhosa

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Braver ◽  
Wm. G. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Native Speakers ◽  
Semantic Context ◽  
Bantu Languages ◽  
Noun Classes ◽  
Noun Class ◽  
Semantic Domains

Bantu languages are noted for their noun class systems.  These noun classes tend to connect to semantic domains: e.g., humans are prototypically in classes 1 and 2.  We present an experiment in which native speakers of Xhosa were shown singular nonce nouns with no semantic context, and were asked to provide the plural forms.  These nouns were shown with the singular class prefix –i, which is ambiguous between class 5 and class 9.  Historically, class 9 had a nasal prefix which triggered post-nasal alternations in stem-initial consonants.  Since class 5 did not historically have a nasal, no such alternations occurred in class 5 nouns.  Because of this, stems beginning with a segment that might have been the output of the historical post-nasal alternation may be interpreted as class 9, while stems beginning with segments that might have been inputs to these alternations may be interpreted as class 5.  We show that speakers follow this pattern: roots beginning with post-nasal outputs were more likely to be assigned the plural corresponding to class 9 (i.e., class 10), and roots beginning with post-nasal inputs were more likely to be assigned to the plural corresponding to class 5 (i.e., class 6).

scholarly journals Issues in noun classification and noun class assignment in Gujjolay Eegimaa (Banjal) and other Joola languages

2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-33
Author(s):  
Serge Sagna
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Criteria ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Similar System ◽  
Class System ◽  
Noun Classes ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Noun Class ◽  
Class Assignment

In his book on gender Corbett observes that establishing the number of genders or noun classes in a given language ‘can be the subject of interminable dispute’ (1991: 145). Jóola like Gújjolaay Eegimaa (bqj, Atlantic, Niger-Congo) have noun class systems exhibiting irregular singular-plural matchings and complex agreement correspondences between controller nouns and their targets, resulting in endless disagreements among authors in Jóola linguistics. This paper addresses the issues surrounding noun class assignment in Gújjolaay Eegimaa (Eegimaa henceforth) and other Jóola languages. It provides a critical evaluation of the noun class assignment criteria used for those languages and proposes cross-linguistic and language-specific diagnostic criteria to account for the noun class system of Eegimaa and other related languages that exhibit a similar system.

Agreement with locatives in Kinyarwanda: a comparative analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jochen Zeller ◽  
J. Paul Ngoboka
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Syntactic Analysis ◽  
Feature Location ◽  
Relevant Difference ◽  
Bantu Languages ◽  
Noun Classes ◽  
Noun Class ◽  
Invariant Class ◽  
Marker Class

AbstractIn Bantu languages such as Chichewa or Herero, locatives can function as subjects and show noun class agreement (in class 16, 17 or 18) with predicates and modifiers. In contrast, (preverbal) locatives in Sotho-Tswana and Nguni have been analysed as prepositional adjuncts, which cannot agree. Our paper compares locatives in Kinyarwanda (JD61) with locatives in these other Bantu languages and demonstrates that the Kinyarwanda locative system is essentially of the Chichewa/Herero type. We show that Kinyarwanda locatives are nominal in nature, can act as subjects, and agree with predicates and modifiers. However, even though Kinyarwanda has four locative noun classes (16, 17, 18 and 25), there is only one locative agreement marker (class 16ha-), which indiscriminately appears with all locatives, regardless of their noun class. We explain this fact by arguing that noun class features in Kinyarwanda do not participate in locative agreement; instead, the invariant class 16 marker expresses agreement with a generic feature [location] associated with all locatives. We offer a syntactic analysis of this peculiar aspect of Kinyarwanda locative agreement, and we propose a parameter that accounts for the relevant difference between Kinyarwanda and Chichewa/Herero-type Bantu languages.

Functions of gender and numeral classifiers in Nepali

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Allassonnière-Tang ◽  
Marcin Kilarski
Keyword(s):  
Classification System ◽  
Language Contact ◽  
Grammatical Gender ◽  
Numeral Classifiers ◽  
Complementary Distribution ◽  
Language Structure ◽  
Nominal Classification ◽  
Discourse Functions

AbstractWe examine the complex nominal classification system in Nepali (Indo-European, Indic), a language spoken at the intersection of the Indo-European and Sino-Tibetan language families, which are usually associated with prototypical examples of grammatical gender and numeral classifiers, respectively. In a typologically rare pattern, Nepali possesses two gender systems based on the human/non-human and masculine/feminine oppositions, in addition to which it has also developed an inventory of at least ten numeral classifiers as a result of contact with neighbouring Sino-Tibetan languages. Based on an analysis of the lexical and discourse functions of the three systems, we show that their functional contribution involves a largely complementary distribution of workload with respect to individual functions as well as the type of categorized nouns and referents. The study thus contributes to the ongoing discussions concerning the typology and functions of nominal classification as well as the effects of long-term language contact on language structure.

scholarly journals Noun classes and grammatical gender in Wolof

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheikh Anta Babou ◽  
Michele Loporcaro
Keyword(s):  
Grammatical Gender ◽  
Theoretical Issue ◽  
Accurate Analysis ◽  
Main Thrust ◽  
Plural Noun ◽  
Indefinite Article ◽  
Verb Agreement ◽  
Noun Classes ◽  
Noun Class ◽  
Gender System

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a reassessment of Wolof noun morphology and morphosyntax. Wolof is usually said to possess a total of 10 noun classes (8 for the singular, 2 for the plural), marked today exclusively on agreement targets. We provide evidence that two more plural noun classes must be recognized, which have so far been misinterpreted as “collective” rather than plural: the evidence we provide is morphosyntactic (from verb agreement) as well as morphological (from class-related asymmetries in the paradigm of the indefinite article). As for method, the main thrust of the paper consists in showing that an accurate analysis of the Wolof data must make use of the three distinct notions “noun class”, “inflectional class” and “agreement class” (or gender). Under the analysis defended here, Wolof turns out to have a fairly complex gender system, featuring 17 distinct gender values. Our analysis – and especially the discussion of Wolof so-called “collectives” – also bears on the general theoretical issue of how to establish the values of the number category.

scholarly journals The noun classes and concord of Congo Copperbelt Swahili

1999 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-99
Author(s):  
Nkulu Kabuya
Keyword(s):  
Simple System ◽  
Class System ◽  
Inconsistent System ◽  
Noun Classes ◽  
Operating Side ◽  
Noun Class ◽  
Traditional Class ◽  
Free Variation

This paper reconsiders claims that the Swahili of the Congo Copperbelt area has a limited noun class system and an inconsistent system of agreement. It shows that there are, operating side-by-side with the simple system generally presented by scholars, a noun class and concord system of the original Bantu type, and that the prefixes of the latter are in free variation with those of their simplified versions. This free variation is discussed from grammatical, sociolinguistic, and stylistic perspectives. The conclusion reached is that by spreading change in its lexicon and morphosyntax, Congo Copperbelt Swahili has developed a system of singular/plural prefixes that will eventually replace the traditional class system.

scholarly journals Phonological processes in the noun class system of lama.

1989 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-178
Author(s):  
Meterwa A. Ourso
Keyword(s):  
Structural Changes ◽  
Vowel Harmony ◽  
Phonological Processes ◽  
Class System ◽  
Noun Classes ◽  
Noun Class

The purpose of this paper is to account for the phonological processes taking place within noun classes and across noun classes in Lama, particularly when some class suffixes are attached to noun stems. This study is therefore an overview of the noun class phonology. After an introduction to the phonology and to the noun class system, we will examine specific phonological problems. It will be shown that when some root final sounds are in contact with some suffixes, they undergo structural changes, namely, assimilation, vowel truncation, and root controlled vowel harmony.

scholarly journals Avatime noun classes and concord

1995 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-150
Author(s):  
Russell G. Schuh
Keyword(s):  
Head Noun ◽  
Vowel Harmony ◽  
Active Systems ◽  
Bantu Languages ◽  
Noun Classes ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Noun Class ◽  
Low Tone

Avatime is one of 14 "Central-Togo" (or "Togo Remnant") languages, spoken in Ghana, Togo, and Benin. These languages differ from their nearest Kwa group relatives in that they have active systems of noun classes and concord. Avatime has 13 noun classes, each with a distinct nominal prefix. Prefixes (as well as most other affixes) agree in [ATR] vowel harmony with the host noun root. Some classes impose invariable low tone on the prefix while prefix tone of other classes may be any of three lexically determined tones. Definiteness is marked by a set of suffixes. The ultimate segmental shapes and tones of these suffixes depend on the interaction of the respective class prefix shapes and coalescence phenomena with stem final vowels. There are correlations between noun class and nominal semantics, and nominal derivation is done in part through class choice. A number of attributive modifiers show class concord with the head noun. In the variety of Avatime studied here, such concord is only though vocalic prefixes on attributive modifiers, not by full CV prefixes as is typical of Bantu languages. Some attributives also have "tonal concord", which is not class concord per se, but refers to the tone of the head noun's prefix. Not all attributive modifiers have overt concord marking.

scholarly journals The evolution of the noun class system of Ngwi (West-Coastal Bantu, B861, DRC)

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 11-67
Author(s):  
Sara Pacchiarotti ◽  
Koen Bostoen
Keyword(s):  
Recent Common Ancestor ◽  
Verb Second ◽  
Systematic Account ◽  
Bantu Languages ◽  
Class System ◽  
Most Recent Common Ancestor ◽  
Bantu Language ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Noun Class ◽  
Diachronic Analysis

In this paper we offer a first systematic account of the noun class system of Ngwi, a West-Coastal Bantu language spoken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. First, we describe the synchronic system of noun class prefixes and the agreement patterns they trigger on constituents of the noun phrase and the verb. Second, we provide a diachronic analysis of the innovations the synchronic Ngwi noun class system underwent with respect to the noun class system reconstructed for the most recent common ancestor of all Narrow Bantu languages. Finally, we compare the morphological innovations found in the Ngwi noun class system with those identified in the noun class systems of other West-Coastal Bantu varieties and assess whether some of these could be diagnostic for internal classification within this western Bantu branch.

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