Abstract Chadic languages are known for marking verbal number, and Goemai is no exception. When comparing to other languages, however, several differences emerge: the inventory exceptionally large; verbs come from all lexical fields; they used indicate participant number rather than event number. Contrary expectations, of does not only cover intransitive subjects transitive objects, but also some peripheral arguments. These patterns have a semantic basis, this chapter explores interaction...

In the literature, it is often assumed that ergative constructions originate in passive constructions. The present contribution explores likelihood of such a passive-to-ergative analysis for one language (Tima, Niger-Congo, Sudan), showing this cannot be substantiated and suggesting an origin active instead. This study situated its areal context (outlining similarities to split case marking systems across region, especially Southern branch Eastern Sudanic) against background discussions...

Negation is a cornerstone of human language and one the few universals found in all languages. Without negation, neither categorization nor efficient communication would be possible. Languages, however, differ remarkably how they express negation. It yet widely unknown way negation marked influences acquisition process first learners. Here, we investigate whether universal or language-specific cues are more relevant for process. We test to what extent frequency salience features...

Abstract We live in an unprecedented era of language endangerment and loss. In the midst this crisis, it is becoming more evident that psychological cognitive sciences know very little about how most world’s languages are acquired, represented, processed. Therefore, opportunity to understand our important defining species-specific trait being rapidly lost. Perspective, we highlight extent problem, focusing on a key group at heart transmission loss—child learners. show that, due sampling...

This article discusses the semantics and pragmatics of postural, existential positional verbs occurring in basic locative construction Goemai, a West Chadic language Central Nigeria. The Goemai system is special interest to typology proposed this issue, as it presents language-internal evidence for existence two different types verbs: postural-type positional-type verbs. In most respects, patterns with languages: has small set postural that codes limited range semantic notions used both...

This paper is set within the context of semantic typology, focusing on collection data during fieldwork under-described languages. The study explores central issues meaning and translation through example investigation lexical part speech property-denoting expressions in West Chadic languages, which demonstrated that these are inchoative verbs. It focuses identifying various points where equivalents intruded into analysis, thus obscuring under investigation. addresses ambivalent nature...

Abstract Tima, a Niger-Congo language of the Sudan, shows signs split ergativity. If its constituent order deviates from basic AVO to OVA order, postverbal agent is formally marked, unlike preverbal agents. A direct object, regardless position relative verb, never marked. Research so far has shown that ergative constructions are triggered by certain participant constellations in discourse. In particular, when speaker keeps non-agentive participant, more specifically as centre attention...

Qaqet is a non-Austronesian Baining language of Papua New Guinea, with very small phoneme inventory 16 consonants and four vowels, including the voiced stops /b d ɡ/. These are often phonetically realized as prenasalized [mb nd ŋɡ], this feature assumed to be result contact surrounding Oceanic languages. Our data consist isolated word recordings from six female speakers language. Using range acoustic measures, we compare these non-prenasalized tokens same ɡ/ phonemes, nasal phonemes proper...

Goemai is an Afroasiatic (Chadic, West Chadic A, Angas-Goemai group) language spoken in Central Nigeria. The name [ɡ m i ] used by the speakers themselves to refer both their and ethnic group. To outsiders, they are better known under Ankwe – a that also commonly found older linguistic, anthropological historical literature. live as farmers, fishermen hunters villages throughout lowland savannah region south of Jos Plateau north Benue River, area geographically Great Muri Plains. economy...

This article looks at noun plurals in Hausa from a diachronic perspective. It is claimed that the multiplicity of plural forms encountered today result historical development which older formatives survived alongside younger ones. Specifically, four typological principles are identified and their introduction into overall system formation described. argued on basis these three different systems can be set up

This paper discusses issues of language contact within the Jos Plateau sprachbund Central Nigeria. It is known that non-related Chadic and Benue-Congo languages this region share numerous lexical structural similarities, but it largely unknown whether they also similarities in their semantics lexicalization patterns. explores convergences one such area: property — or adjectival concepts (Angas-Goemai Ron groups) (Jukunoid, Tarok Fyem) southern part sprachbund. presents evidence these a...

This commentary on Kidd and Garcia takes a language documentation perspective diversifying acquisition research. Following brief summary of relevant research in Papuan languages, it sketches out current developments to extend into child documentation. It is argued that these constitute unique opportunity engage with on-going discussions best practice order ensure the resulting documentations are use both fields: acquisition.