African Languages
An Introduction
Published on 3. August 2000
Book
Paperback/Softback
408 pages
978-0-521-66629-9 (ISBN)
Description
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, sociolinguistics, comparative linguistics, and language, history and society. Basic concepts and terminology are explained for undergraduates and non-specialist readers, but each chapter also provides an overview of the state of the art in its field, and as such will be referred to also by more advanced students and general linguists. The book brings this range of material together in accessible form for anyone wishing to learn more about this challenging and fascinating field.
Reviews / Votes
"It should be in any academic library that supports curricula in linguistics, African languages, or broader programs of African studies." Choice "This book provides a thorough introduction to African languages and linguistics, covering typology, structure and sociolinguistics." African Sun Times "The contributors are outstanding scholars, and they provide excellent and easy-to-read pieces...At present, no other text offers such a broad coverage of the diverse African language families; hence, this volume is an extraordinary resources for students and scholars interested in the study of African languages...This volume is a succesful introduction to African languages and linguistics." Anthropological Linguistics "The book has a substantial bibliography and extremely useful indexes of authors, language names, and subjects. It should be in any academic library that supports curricula in lingustics, African languages, or broader programs of African studies. It may well be assigned as a textbook, so should certainly be in the regular stacks, but is easy enough to use and covers so much information that it could also serve well in reference collection." ChoiceMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
28 Tables, unspecified; 9 Maps
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
660 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-66629-9 (9780521666299)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Content
List of maps; Notes on contributors; 1. Introduction Bernd Heine and Derek Nurse; 2. Niger-Congo Kay Williamson and Roger Blench; 3. Nilo-Saharan Lionel M. Bender; 4. Afroasiatic Richard J. Hayward; 5. Khoisan Tom Gueldemann and Rainer Vossen; 6. Phonology G. N. Clements; 7. Morphology Gerrit J. Dimmendaal; 8. Syntax John R. Watters; 9. Typology Denis Creissels; 10. Comparative linguistics Paul Newman; 11. Language and history Christopher Ehret; 12. Language and society H. Ekkehard Wolff; References; Index of authors; Index of languages; Index of subjects.