DOI:10.30842/alp23065737171271305
Pozdnyakova V. A. K opisaniyu sistemy
imennykh klassov i klassnogo soglasovaniya v yazyke ginanga.
Acta Linguistica Petropolitana. 2021. 17(1):
271–305.
This paper features a preliminary overview of Ginyanga (Kwa,
North Guang) noun class system and agreement. This is the first
study that addresses Ginyanga morphology in detail and puts it into
typological perspective. Although Kwa languages are generally known
for their reduced morphology, the North Guang branch is
distinguished by its rich noun class system. This is also the case
with Ginyanga: based on agreement I define eight noun classes, three
of which are singular and five are plural. Classes are marked with
noun prefixes that are subject to ATR harmony. Agreement classes are
further divided into morphological subclasses, that share the
agreement paradigm, but feature different noun prefix. Singular /
plural pairings of classes and semantic bases of each class are
discussed; in particular, the role of the semantic parameter of
animacy. Class marking alternation is observed both in singular /
plural correlations and derivational processes (diminutive
formation), which is characteristic of active noun class
systems.
The following agreement contexts are viewed: class agreement of
cardinal numerals, demonstratives and quantifiers, subject-verb
agreement, pronoun series. Cardinal numerals from ‘1’ to ‘6’ get
class indexation from the head noun, numerals from ‘7’ to ‘10’
retain their default marking. There are two demonstratives that
agree in class with the head noun, -bali ‘this’ and
-bʋnʋ ‘that’. Ginyanga class agreement system also
includes two series of verbal prefixes: factative and imperfective,
and two pronoun series, basic (independent and possessive) and
object.
Based on these data I argue that Ginyanga follows the North
Guang pattern and demonstrates a fully fledged system of noun
classes and noun class agreement. The paper adds to the evidence of
a rich class system that should have existed in Proto-Guang and
contributes to the typology of noun classes in West African
languages.
Keywords
Niger-Congo, Kwa, Guang, noun class, noun
morphology
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