An introduction to the study of African languages

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This book is the first general introduction to African languages and linguistics to be published in English. It covers the four major language groupings (Niger-Congo, Nilo-Saharan, Afroasiatic and Khoisan), the core areas of modern theoretical linguistics (phonology, morphology, syntax), typology, sociolinguistics, comparative linguistics, and language, history and by:   This book is an introduction to African languages and linguistics, covering typology, structure and sociolinguistics.

The twelve chapters are written by a team of fifteen eminent Africanists, and their topics include the four major language groupings (Niger-Congo, Nilo-Saharan, Afroasiatic and Khoisan), the core areas of modern theoretical linguistics (phonology, morphology, syntax), typology 4/5(1).

Providing an introduction to the linguistic study of African languages, the orientation adopted throughout this book is a descriptive-structural-typological one, as opposed to a formal-theoretical by: This book is an introduction to African languages and linguistics, covering typology, structure and sociolinguistics.

The topics include typology, sociolinguistics, comparitive linguistics, and language, history and society. An Introduction to African Languages Article (PDF Available) in Studies in Language 33(1) January with 3, Reads How we measure 'reads'Author: Jeff Good. The primary goal of this book is to provide an introduction to the linguistic study of African languages.

The orientation adopted throughout the book is a descriptive-structural-typological one, as opposed to a formal-theoretical approach. Formalisms are not eschewed per se but rather are invoked when.

" An Introduction to the Study of African Languages. Translated by A. Werner (Paperback or Softback). Format: Book. Trouble No Man (Paperback or Softback).

The Ultimate Wood-Fired Oven Cookbook (Hardback or Cased Book). " See all. Get this from a library. An introduction to the study of African languages. [Carl Meinhof] -- As a rule, no long explanation is needed to make clear why a scientific traveller, an official, a business man, or a missionary should seek to acquire the languages of primitive people in our.

Providing an introduction to the linguistic study of African languages, the orientation adopted throughout this book is a descriptive-structural-typological one, as opposed to a formal-theoretical : The Niger–Congo languages constitute the largest language family spoken in West Africa and perhaps the world in terms of the number of languages.

One of its salient features is an elaborate noun class system with grammatical concord.A large majority of languages of this family are tonal such as Yoruba and Igbo, Ashanti and Ewe language.A major branch of Niger–Congo languages is the Bantu.

The intended audience of this book Anyone producing a book about this mass of languages has inevit-ably to make certain choices. There are older introductions to African languages in English (Berry and GreenbergWelmersGregersen ), there are volumes that deal with some but not all African languages (BenderBendor.

Structure of the book Following the Introduction, the book is structured on topical chapters, each by a scholar in that field. The opening chapters are summaries of the basis for the four major African language families: Niger-Congo (Kay Williamson and Roger Blench), Nilo-Saharan (Lionel M.

Bender). With anywhere between and languages, Africa is home to approximately one-third of the world's languages.

The diversity of Africa's languages is evidenced by their populations. In total, there are at least 75 languages in Africa which have more than one million speakers.

The rest are spoken by populations ranging from a few hundred to several hundred thousand speakers. This book introduces beginning students and non-specialists to the diversity and richness of African languages. In addition to providing a solid background to the study of African languages, the book presents linguistic phenomena not found in European languages.

A goal of this book is to stimulate interest in African languages and address the question: What makes African languages so fascinating?Cited by: A Survey of African Languages and Language-Families. The Study of Sounds in Africa and Its Relation to General Phonetics.

Rhythm and Melody in African Languages. The Morphological development of African Languages. The Practical Importance of African Linguistics. African Philology as an Auxiliary to other Sciences. The Problems and the Aim of. Introduction to African Languages and Cultures Catalog Number: John M.

Mugane Half course (fall term). M., W., at EXAM GROUP: 5 This introduction to African languages and cultures explores how sub-Saharan Africans use language to understand, organize, and transmit (culture, history, etc.) indigenous knowledge to successive generations.

An introduction to the study of African languages by Meinhof, Carl, at - the best online ebook storage. Download and read online for free An introduction to the study of African languages by Meinhof, Carl, /5(2). 1 Introduction to the Linguistic Study of Language key concepts Who these books are for The first book is about the grammar of English; the second is about related topics, including language variation (e.g., dialects), language Introduction to the Linguistic Study of Language).File Size: KB.

Full text of "An introduction to the study of African languages [microform]" See other formats. An Introduction to the Study of African Languages, African Affairs, Volume XV, Issue LVII, 1 OctoberPages –. Editorial Reviews. I found An Introduction to African Languages a very good read, and encountered a number of insights about these languages that I had not known, as in the discussion of language history and the use of DNA evidence, as well as syntheses of existing is a book that would serve undergraduates with some exposure to linguisics, as well as the sophisticated lay Pages:   Finally, another important goal of this book is to ‘introduce the reader to some of the fascination and even to some of the controversy involved in African linguistics’ (ix).

Ch. 1 discusses reasons for studying African languages and offers an interesting historical background to the general study of African : Derek Nurse.Full text of "An introduction to the study of African languages" See other formats.