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Still No Evidence for an Ancient Language Expansion from Africa
Supporting Online Material for Still no evidence for an ancient language expansion from Africa Michael Cysouw, Dan Dediu and Steven Moran email: [email protected] Table of contents 1. Materials and Methods 1.1. Data 1.2. Measuring phoneme inventory size 1.3. Geographic distribution of phoneme inventory size 1.4. Correlation with speaker community size 1.5. Distribution over macroareas 1.6. Global clines of phoneme inventory size 1.7. Global clines of other WALS features 1.8. Searching for an origin: analysis of Atkinson’s BIC-based methodology 1.9. Software packages used 2. Supporting Text 2.1. About the term ‘phonemic diversity’ 2.2. Stability of phoneme inventory size 2.3. About the serial founder effect in human evolution and language 3. Tables 4. References 2 1. Materials and Methods 1.1. Data The linguistic parameter that Atkinson (S1) investigates is the size of the phoneme inventory of a language. Although the acoustic variation of possible linguistic utterances is basically continuous in nature, humans discretely categorize this continuous variation into distinctive groups, called phonemes. This discretization is language-specific, i.e. different languages have their own structure of distinctive groups. Empirically it turns out that some languages have more groups (i.e they divide phonetic space into more fine-grained distinctive phonemes), while other distinguish less phonemic clusters of sounds. To investigate variation in phoneme inventory size, it would have been straightforward for Atkinson to use data on the actual number of phonemic distinctions in different languages. Much of what is known about phoneme inventories is based on the UCLA Phonological Segment Inventory Database (UPSID; S2). -
The Syntactic Diversity of Sauxov in West Africa Hannah Sande Georgetown University Nico Baier Mcgill University Peter Jenks UC Berkeley
Chapter 34 The syntactic diversity of SAuxOV in West Africa Hannah Sande Georgetown University Nico Baier McGill University Peter Jenks UC Berkeley Surface SAuxOV orders abound in West Africa. We demonstrate that apparent ex- amples of this word order have important structural differences across languages. We show that SAuxOV orders in some languages are due to mixed clausal headed- ness, consisting of a head initial TP and head-final VP, though this order can be concealed by verb movement. Other languages are more consistently head-initial, and what appear to be SAuxOV orders arise in limited syntactic contexts due to specific syntactic constructions such as object shift or nominalized complements. Finally, we show that languages which have genuine SAuxOV, corresponding to a head-final VP, tend to exhibit head-final properties more generally. This obser- vation supports the idea that syntactic typology is most productively framed in terms of structural analyses of languages rather than the existence of surface word orders. 1 Introduction The order subject-auxiliary-object-verb (SAuxOV) is quite common across West Africa. At the same time, it is well-known that syntactic differences exist among the languages with this surface order (Creissels 2005). Our goal in this paper is to identify structural differences across languages for which SAuxOV order occurs, Hannah Sande, Nico Baier & Peter Jenks. 2019. The syntactic diversity of SAuxOV in West Africa. In Emily Clem, Peter Jenks & Hannah Sande (eds.), Theory and descrip- tion in African Linguistics: Selected papers from the 47th Annual Conference on African Linguistics, 667–701. Berlin: Language Science Press. -
The Emergence of Hausa As a National Lingua Franca in Niger
Ahmed Draia University – Adrar Université Ahmed Draia Adrar-Algérie Faculty of Letters and Languages Department of English Letters and Language A Research Paper Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for a Master’s Degree in Linguistics and Didactics The Emergence of Hausa as a National Lingua Franca in Niger Presented by: Supervised by: Moussa Yacouba Abdoul Aziz Pr. Bachir Bouhania Academic Year: 2015-2016 Abstract The present research investigates the causes behind the emergence of Hausa as a national lingua franca in Niger. Precisely, the research seeks to answer the question as to why Hausa has become a lingua franca in Niger. To answer this question, a sociolinguistic approach of language spread or expansion has been adopted to see whether it applies to the Hausa language. It has been found that the emergence of Hausa as a lingua franca is mainly attributed to geo-historical reasons such as the rise of Hausa states in the fifteenth century, the continuous processes of migration in the seventeenth century which resulted in cultural and linguistic assimilation, territorial expansion brought about by the spread of Islam in the nineteenth century, and the establishment of long-distance trade by the Hausa diaspora. Moreover, the status of Hausa as a lingua franca has recently been maintained by socio- cultural factors represented by the growing use of the language for commercial and cultural purposes as well as its significance in education and media. These findings arguably support the sociolinguistic view regarding the impact of society on language expansion, that the widespread use of language is highly determined by social factors. -
Nilo-Saharan’
11 Linguistic Features and Typologies in Languages Commonly Referred to as ‘Nilo-Saharan’ Gerrit J. Dimmendaal, Colleen Ahland, Angelika Jakobi, and Constance Kutsch Lojenga 11.1 Introduction The phylum referred to today as Nilo- Saharan (occasionally also Nilosaharan) was established by Greenberg (1963). It consists of a core of language families already argued to be genetically related in his earlier classiication of African languages (Greenberg 1955:110–114), consisting of Eastern Sudanic, Central Sudanic, Kunama, and Berta, and grouped under the name Macrosudanic; this language family was renamed Chari- Nile in his 1963 contribution after a suggestion by the Africanist William Welmers. In his 1963 classiication, Greenberg hypothesized that Nilo- Saharan consists of Chari- Nile and ive other languages or language fam- ilies treated as independent units in his earlier study: Songhay (Songhai), Saharan, Maban, Fur, and Koman (Coman). Bender (1997) also included the Kadu languages in Sudan in his sur- vey of Nilo-Saharan languages; these were classiied as members of the Kordofanian branch of Niger-Kordofanian by Greenberg (1963) under the name Tumtum. Although some progress has been made in our knowledge of the Kadu languages, they remain relatively poorly studied, and there- fore they are not further discussed here, also because actual historical evi- dence for their Nilo- Saharan afiliation is rather weak. Whereas there is a core of language groups now widely assumed to belong to Nilo- Saharan as a phylum or macro- family, the genetic afiliation of families such as Koman and Songhay is also disputed (as for the Kadu languages). For this reason, these latter groups are discussed separately from what is widely considered to form the core of Nilo- Saharan, Central Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. -
A Grammar of Tadaksahak a Northern Songhay Language of Mali Christiansen-Bolli, R
A grammar of Tadaksahak a northern Songhay language of Mali Christiansen-Bolli, R. Citation Christiansen-Bolli, R. (2010, March 31). A grammar of Tadaksahak a northern Songhay language of Mali. Berber Studies. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/1887/15180 Version: Not Applicable (or Unknown) Licence agreement concerning inclusion of doctoral thesis in the License: Institutional Repository of the University of Leiden Downloaded from: https://hdl.handle.net/1887/15180 Note: To cite this publication please use the final published version (if applicable). A Grammar of Tadaksahak a Northern Songhay Language of Mali Regula Christiansen-Bolli A Grammar of Tadaksahak, a Northern Songhay Language of Mali Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van Doctor aan de Universiteit Leiden, op gezag van Rector Magnificus prof. mr. P.F. van der Heijden, volgens besluit van het College voor Promoties te verdedigen op woensdag 31 maart 2010 klokke 13:45 uur door Regula Christiansen-Bolli geboren te Aarberg, Zwitserland in 1957 Promotiecommissie Promotor: Prof. dr. M. Mous Co-promotor: Dr. M.G. Kossmann Overige leden: Prof. dr. A. Mettouchi (École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris) Prof. dr. Th.C. Schadeberg Prof. dr. H.J. Stroomer Contents i Table of Contents Table of Contents ...............................................................................i Abbreviations ....................................................................................xi Map................................................................................................ -
Berber Languages and Linguistics Mena B
Berber Languages and Linguistics Mena B. Lafkioui LAST MODIFIED: 24 MAY 2018 DOI: 10.1093/OBO/9780199772810-0219 Introduction Berber (aka Tamazight) is a branch of the Afro-Asiatic language phylum and counts about forty languages, which entirely cover North Africa, stretching from Morocco to Egypt, as well as from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sahara and the northern and western Sahel, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The number of Berber speakers is estimated at more than forty million, of which the majority lives in Morocco (about 70 percent speaks Berber, mainly along with other languages). Berber has a general “continuum” makeup, which means that one Berber language gradually merges into another Berber language when they are contiguous. As a result, Berber forms a tightly knit and coherent bloc, which makes its subclassification very tricky. On the typological level, three major subdivisions can be made. The first is Northern Berber, which mainly contains Tarifit (including Senhaja Berber; North, Northeast, and Northwest Morocco), Tamazight of the Middle Atlas (Central Morocco), Figuig Berber (East Morocco), Kabyle Berber (North Algeria), Tashawit (Aures, Northeast Algeria), and some oasis languages like Berber of Mzab (South Algeria) and of Ouargla (South Algeria). The second is Southern Berber, which comprises languages such as Zenaga (Mauritania), Tashelhit (South Morocco), and Tetserret and Tuareg Berber (Sahara, Sahel). The third is Eastern Berber, which includes languages such as Berber spoken in Siwa (West Egypt), Sokna and El-Fogaha (Fezzan, Central Libya), Yefren and Zuara (Tripolitania, North Libya), and Ghadames (East Libya), as well as all the Berber languages of Tunisia (e.g., Jerba, Tamazret, and Sened). -
Subdivisions Biblical Studies, Theology
Subdivisions for Biblical Studies, Theology, and Ministry: Making Search Terms Do the Work by Leslie A. Engelson 1 © 2014 by Leslie A. Engelson All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form (beyond that copying permitted by Sections 197 and 108 of the U.S. Copyright Law and except by reviewers for public press), without written permission from the publishers. Published by: American Theological Library Association, 300 South Wacker Drive, Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60606-6701 USA Cataloging in Publication Engelson, Leslie A. Subdivisions for biblical studies, theology, and ministry : making search terms do the work / by Leslie A. Engelson. 1 online resource (p. cm.) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN – 10: 978-0-9863310-0-8 1. Subject heading subdivisions. 2. Bible.--Study and teaching. 3. Theology. 4. Church work. 5. Clergy--Office. I. Title. Z695.1.C627 E54 2014 025.49—dc23 Dedication To God, for your faithfulness and grace. Because of you, my story is worth telling. To Megan, for your love and kindness. You are the inspiration for, and the best part of, my story. Table of Contents Preface .................................................................................................................................................i How to Use the Subdivisions in this Book ..............................................................vi Preaching & Teaching Resources ..................................................................................1 Ceremonies, Sacraments, & Ordinances -
Historical Linguistics and the Comparative Study of African Languages
Historical Linguistics and the Comparative Study of African Languages UNCORRECTED PROOFS © JOHN BENJAMINS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1st proofs UNCORRECTED PROOFS © JOHN BENJAMINS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1st proofs Historical Linguistics and the Comparative Study of African Languages Gerrit J. Dimmendaal University of Cologne John Benjamins Publishing Company Amsterdam / Philadelphia UNCORRECTED PROOFS © JOHN BENJAMINS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1st proofs TM The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American 8 National Standard for Information Sciences — Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1984. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Dimmendaal, Gerrit Jan. Historical linguistics and the comparative study of African languages / Gerrit J. Dimmendaal. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. African languages--Grammar, Comparative. 2. Historical linguistics. I. Title. PL8008.D56 2011 496--dc22 2011002759 isbn 978 90 272 1178 1 (Hb; alk. paper) isbn 978 90 272 1179 8 (Pb; alk. paper) isbn 978 90 272 8722 9 (Eb) © 2011 – John Benjamins B.V. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, photoprint, microfilm, or any other means, without written permission from the publisher. John Benjamins Publishing Company • P.O. Box 36224 • 1020 me Amsterdam • The Netherlands John Benjamins North America • P.O. Box 27519 • Philadelphia PA 19118-0519 • USA UNCORRECTED PROOFS © JOHN BENJAMINS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1st proofs Table of contents Preface ix Figures xiii Maps xv Tables -
First Steps Towards the Detection of Contact Layers in Bangime: a Multi-Disciplinary, Computer-Assisted Approach
First steps towards the detection of contact layers in Bangime: A multi-disciplinary, computer-assisted approach 1 Introduction Bangime, a language isolate spoken in central-eastern Mali, represents an enigma, not only in terms of linguistics, but also with regards to their past ethnographic affiliations and migration patterns. The speakers of Bangime, the Bangande, live among and claim to constitute one of the Dogon groups that also occupy the rocky terrain of the Bandiagara Escarpment. However, there is little evidence in support of the Bangande being genetically affiliated with the Dogon or speaking one of the estimated 21 Dogon languages, nor of their being related to the neighboring Mande-speaking groups who inhabit a valley which stretches from the west and ends at the eastern edge of the Escarpment. Further to the north of the area where Bangime is spoken lies the vast Sahara desert, the southern borders of which are occupied by Songhai-speaking populations. Throughout the region are found Fula semi-nomadic herders who speak Fulfulde. Thus, we know that the Bangande have had the opportunity to engage in contact with each of these populations, but because there are no written historical records of their past settlement and migration patterns, nor have there been any archeological investigations of the western portions of the Bandiagara Escarpment where the Bangande are found today, we must rely on data from the present to reconstruct a picture of the past. Figure 1 illustrates the geographic positions of the languages represented in the sample with respect to where Bangime is spoken. Note that the points represent approximations; languages such as Fulfulde have a reach throughout the entire region and even beyond to bordering nations. -
The Linguistic Prehistory of the Sahara
THE LINGUISTIC PREHISTORY OF THE SAHARA Presented at the conference The Trans-Sahara project: State Formation, Migration and Trade in the Central Sahara (1000 BC - AD 1500) Burials, migration, identity: Wednesday 30th April 2014 Friday 2nd May 2014 School of Archaeology and Ancient History University of Leicester [THIS VERSION REVISED FOR SUBMISSON] Roger Blench Kay Williamson Educational Foundation 8, Guest Road Cambridge CB1 2AL United Kingdom Voice/ Ans 0044-(0)1223-560687 Mobile worldwide (00-44)-(0)7847-495590 E-mail [email protected] http://www.rogerblench.info/RBOP.htm This printout: Cambridge, July 29, 2014 Roger Blench Linguistic prehistory of the Sahara TABLE OF CONTENTS ACRONYMS ....................................................................................................................................................ii 1. Introduction................................................................................................................................................... 1 2. The present-day situation .............................................................................................................................. 1 2.1 General ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 2.2 Arabic ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 2.3 Berber ...................................................................................................................................................... -
A Grammar of Tadaksahak a Northern Songhay Language of Mali Christiansen-Bolli, R
A grammar of Tadaksahak a northern Songhay language of Mali Christiansen-Bolli, R. Citation Christiansen-Bolli, R. (2010, March 31). A grammar of Tadaksahak a northern Songhay language of Mali. Berber Studies. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/1887/15180 Version: Not Applicable (or Unknown) Licence agreement concerning inclusion of doctoral thesis in the License: Institutional Repository of the University of Leiden Downloaded from: https://hdl.handle.net/1887/15180 Note: To cite this publication please use the final published version (if applicable). A Grammar of Tadaksahak a Northern Songhay Language of Mali Regula Christiansen-Bolli A Grammar of Tadaksahak, a Northern Songhay Language of Mali Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van Doctor aan de Universiteit Leiden, op gezag van Rector Magnificus prof. mr. P.F. van der Heijden, volgens besluit van het College voor Promoties te verdedigen op woensdag 31 maart 2010 klokke 13:45 uur door Regula Christiansen-Bolli geboren te Aarberg, Zwitserland in 1957 Promotiecommissie Promotor: Prof. dr. M. Mous Co-promotor: Dr. M.G. Kossmann Overige leden: Prof. dr. A. Mettouchi (École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris) Prof. dr. Th.C. Schadeberg Prof. dr. H.J. Stroomer Contents i Table of Contents Table of Contents ...............................................................................i Abbreviations ....................................................................................xi Map................................................................................................ -
An Introduction to Linguistic Typology
An Introduction to Linguistic Typology An Introduction to Linguistic Typology Viveka Velupillai University of Giessen John Benjamins Publishing Company Amsterdam / Philadelphia TM The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of 8 the American National Standard for Information Sciences – Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ansi z39.48-1984. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data An introduction to linguistic typology / Viveka Velupillai. â. p cm. â Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Typology (Linguistics) 2. Linguistic universals. I. Title. P204.V45 â 2012 415--dc23 2012020909 isbn 978 90 272 1198 9 (Hb; alk. paper) isbn 978 90 272 1199 6 (Pb; alk. paper) isbn 978 90 272 7350 5 (Eb) © 2012 – John Benjamins B.V. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, photoprint, microfilm, or any other means, without written permission from the publisher. John Benjamins Publishing Company • P.O. Box 36224 • 1020 me Amsterdam • The Netherlands John Benjamins North America • P.O. Box 27519 • Philadelphia PA 19118-0519 • USA V. Velupillai: Introduction to Typology NON-PUBLIC VERSION: PLEASE DO NOT CITE OR DISSEMINATE!! ForFor AlTô VelaVela anchoranchor and and inspiration inspiration 2 Table of contents Acknowledgements xv Abbreviations xvii Abbreviations for sign language names xx Database acronyms xxi Languages cited in chapter 1 xxii 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Fast forward from the past to the present 1 1.2 The purpose of this book 3 1.3 Conventions 5 1.3.1 Some remarks on the languages cited in this book 5 1.3.2 Some remarks on the examples in this book 8 1.4 The structure of this book 10 1.5 Keywords 12 1.6 Exercises 12 Languages cited in chapter 2 14 2.