2012
together XVI, 1344 pp.
2 volumes (617 pp. + 727 pp.), numerous tables and charts
Text language: English
These books are part of a publication in several parts on noun class systems in Gur languages. The first volume contains descriptions of the southwestern Gur languages. As far as their classificatory status is concerned, these are the South Central Gur languages without Gurunsi and most of the other languages classified as probable or improbable Gur by Anthony Naden (1989). In order to facilitate comparison of the data, all contributions follow the same order. Each article starts with some geographic and demographic information, and remarks on the state of linguistic research on the language.
The contributors agreed on a minimal word list which appeared as constitutive or as indicative for certain noun classes and their possible evolution. The articles in each classificatory group are followed by the summary Comparative Notes. The bibliography at the end of the volume contains all the titles mentioned in the contribution.
CONTENTS
Volume I: Southwestern Gur Languages (without Gurunsi)
Gudrun Miehe / Kerstin Winkelmann: Introduction
PART I
Gudrun Miehe / Ulrich Kleinewillinghöfer / Manfred von Roncador / Kerstin Winkelmann: Overview on noun classes in Gur
PART II Description of individual languages and comparative notes
Gudrun Miehe: A1. Cerma (Gouin), A2. Curama (Turka), A3. Cerma-Curama: Comparative notes, B1. Kaasa
Kerstin Winkelmann: B2. Dogose
Gudrun Miehe: B3. Khisa (Komono), B4. Gbatogso (Kpatogoso, Padorho), B5. Kaansa-Dogose: Comparative notes
Kerstin Winkelmann: C1. Khe, C2. Dogosu, C3. Khe-Dogosu: Comparative notes
Gudrun Miehe / Florian Tham: D1. Lobiri
Gudrun Miehe: D2. Jaane (Dyan), D3. Lobiri-Jaane: Comparative notes
Kerstin Winkelmann: E. Baatonum
Stefan Elders: F. Kulango
Klaudia Dombrowsky-Hahn: G1. Minyanka, G2. Supyire, G3. Secete (Tagba), G4. Kar, G5. Tenyer
Gudrun Miehe: G6. Tyebari (Cebari, Nyenere), G7. Palaka (Pilara), G8. Fodonon, G9. Tagbana (Tagwana), G10. Nafaanra (Pantera), G11. Senufo languages: Comparative notes
Kerstin Winkelmann: H. Cefo, I. Viemo, K1. Samwe (Wara), K2. Samu (Natioro)
Ulrich Kleinewillinghöfer: K3. Palen
Kerstin Winkelmann: K4. Samu group: Comparative notes, L. Win (South Tusian)
Volume II: North Central Gur Languages
This book is the second volume of a publication in several parts on noun class systems in Gur languages, noun classes being one of the most characteristic features of Niger-Congo languages. The first volume describes the southwestern Gur languages (without Gurunsi). The present second volume of is devoted to languages of the North Central Gur group. It includes descriptions of Bwamu and Koromfe, and of most Oti-Volta languages of all sub-groups, i.e. Buli-Konni, Oti-Volta West, Oti-Volta East or Atakora, Gurma and Yom-Nawdm. Articles on the noun class system of Pana and Samoma, two Gurunsi languages, and of Syer, a Senufo language, are also appended. A first version of the Syer noun class system was published in the first volume under the language name Tenyer, which is a variety of Syer.
Depending on the research situation in each case, existing knowledge, and other factors, the articles give more or less comprehensive descriptions of the noun class systems of the languages under consideration. While most of them go into details, some present only the most characteristic features of the noun classes of the language concerned. However, all contribute significantly to the general survey of the noun class systems of Gur and may serve as sources for further historical comparative work. As was the case in the first volume, the descriptions are essentially based on data collected by the authors during periods of field research. In some cases, Gur language data published by other authors has been presented and reconsidered, especially from the comparative point of view.
The structure of the articles corresponds to that found in the first volume. This procedure guarantees the comparability of the data. In the Historical remarks given at the end of each article describing the noun class system of a particular language, and in the Comparative notes included after each classificatory group, the historical and comparative point of view assumes a central position.
CONTENTS
Volume II North Central Gur Languages
Preface / Introduction / Contributors / Abbreviations
PART I
Gudrun Miehe / Ulrich Kleinewillinghöfer / Manfred von Roncador / Kerstin Winkelmann: Overview of noun classes in Gur (II) (revised and enlarged version)
PART II North Central Gur languages
Anne Schwarz: A1. Buli, A2. Konni, A3. Buli-Konni: Comparative notes
Brigitte Reineke: B1. Byali, B2. Ditammari, B3. Mbelime
Brigitte Reineke / Brigitte Nédellec: B4. Nateni
Brigitte Reineke: B5. Waama, B6. Atakora: Comparative notes
Gudrun Miehe: C1. Dagara Cluster, C2. Farifari (Gurene)
Kerstin Winkelmann: C3. Moore
Manfred von Roncador: C4. Nnotre, C5. Safalba
Gudrun Miehe: C6. Dagbani, C7. Mampruli, C8. Oti-Volta West: Comparative notes
Kerstin Winkelmann: D1. Akasele
Mimboabe Bakpa / Manfred von Roncador: D2. Gangam
Kerstin Winkelmann / Manfred von Roncador: D3. Gulmancema
Kerstin Winkelmann: D4. Konkomba (Likpakpaln)
Mimboabe Bakpa / Manfred von Roncador: D5. Moba
Kerstin Winkelmann: D6. Ncam, D7. Gurma: Comparative notes
Ines Fiedler: E1. Yom, E2. Nawdm, E3. Yom-Nawdm: Comparative notes
Klaus Beyer: F1. Bwamu, G1. Koromfe
PART III Addenda
Klaus Beyer: H1. Pana, H2. Samoma
Klaudia Dombrowsky-Hahn: J1. Syer
PART IV
Bibliography
Classification of Gur languages
Both volumes are separately available:
G. Miehe / K. Winkelmann (eds.): Noun Class Systems in Gur Languages – Vol. I Southwestern Gur Languages (without Gurunsi) [PDF]
G. Miehe / B. Reineke / K. Winkelmann (eds.): Noun Class Systems in Gur Languages – Vol. II North Central Gur Languages [PDF]
In another paper collection of the same series, the authors focus on nominal classification diversity:
Under these links you will find publications by the contributors and further descriptions of nominal/noun class systems in various African languages / language families (Atlantic, Kordofanian, Nilo-Saharan):
