ABSTRACT

Written by an international team of experts, this comprehensive volume presents grammatical analyses of individual Bantu languages, comparative studies of their main phonetic, phonological and grammatical characteristics and overview chapters on their history and classification.

It is estimated that some 300 to 350 million people, or one in three Africans, are Bantu speakers. Van de Velde and Bostoen bring together their linguistic expertise to produce a volume that builds on Nurse and Philippson’s first edition.

The Bantu Languages, 2nd edition is divided into two parts; Part 1 contains 11 comparative chapters, and Part 2 provides grammar sketches of 12 individual Bantu languages, some of which were previously undescribed. The grammar sketches follow a general template that allows for easy comparison.

Thoroughly revised and updated to include more language descriptions and the latest comparative insights.

New to this edition:

• new chapters on syntax, tone, reconstruction and language contact

• 12 new sketch grammars

• thoroughly updated chapters on phonetics, aspect-tense-mood and classification

• exhaustive catalogue of known languages with essential references

This unique resource remains the ideal reference for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students of Bantu linguistics and languages. It will be of interest to researchers and anyone with an interest in historical linguistics, linguistic typology and grammatical analysis.

chapter 1|13 pages

Introduction

part |64 pages

Part 1

chapter 4|22 pages

Segmental phonology

chapter 5|22 pages

Tone

chapter 6|32 pages

Word formation

chapter 7|33 pages

Aspect, tense and mood

chapter 8|33 pages

Nominal morphology and syntax

chapter 10|27 pages

Reconstructing Proto-Bantu

chapter 12|27 pages

Language contact

part |395 pages

Part 2

chapter 14|35 pages

Nsong B85d

chapter 15|23 pages

Pagibete C401

chapter 16|29 pages

Zimba D26

chapter 18|30 pages

Mbugwe F34

chapter 19|28 pages

Kami G36

chapter 21|30 pages

Vwanji G66

chapter 22|47 pages

Totela K41

chapter 23|43 pages

Chimpoto N14

chapter 24|43 pages

Cuwabo P34