Reference Grammar of Kanuri (Nigeria)

Reference Grammar of Kanuri (Nigeria)

Reference Grammar of Kanuri (Nigeria)

Reference Grammar of Kanuri (Nigeria)

ISBN 978-3-89645-670-0

Reference Grammar of Kanuri (Nigeria)

Author: Norbert Cyffer, Umara Bulakarima. Series edited by: Angelika Mietzner, Alice Mitchell, Anne Storch. Series edited in collaboration with: Norbert Cyffer, Jane Akinyi Ngala Oduor, Doris L. Payne.

Series: NISA Nilo-Saharan – Studies in Language and Context Volume 33

2023
16 pp. Roman, 524 pp.
1 map, 4 facsimile reproductions, numerous diagrams, tables and charts, index
Text language(s): English
Format: 160 x 240 mm
1180 g
Hardcover
€ 128.00

Kanuri belongs to the Saharan language family and is spoken by more than 6 million people as a mother tongue in the area surrounding Lake Chad in Nigeria, Niger and Chad, partly in the Fezzan region of Libya. In 1854, Sigismund Wilhelm Koelle wrote the first full grammar of Kanuri and published a text collection in the same year. Johannes Lukas completed his studies at the University of Vienna (Austria) by the PhD thesis Studien zur Kanuri Grammatik und Literatur an Hand unedierter Texte. During the past decades numerous linguistic Kanuri analyses were published. These have made it possible to get a more accurate picture of Kanuri grammar. Enriched by this picture, Reference Grammar of Kanuri is the result of decades of study of the Kanuri language. Many decades of international scientific cooperation finally led to the creation of this profound grammar. It is undoubtably a contribution to better understand the structure of Kanuri language.

The question arises as to why we still need a new grammar. The answer to that is pretty simple. No grammar can claim to be perfect or complete, because our languages are too complex and rich for that. Thus, every new description contributes to completing our knowledge of the language. We should also be aware that linguistic structures can change. Of course, we can observe this in the Kanuri language as well.

Reference Grammar of Kanuri gives information on origin, distribution, and linguistic relatives of Kanuri. The main part comprises phonology, morphology and syntax and is followed by an introduction to the different dialects within Kanuri and sociolinguistic considerations. The main purpose of this present study is to provide a comprehensive description of Kanuri on hierarchic grammatical levels. Special emphasis is also placed on typological features of the language in order to afford the non-Kanuri expert an insight into typical structural features of Kanuri grammar.

 

Under these links you will find further descriptions of the Kanuri language and culture:


Accompanying material:

Cross-reference:

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