Course Description
The course offers an introduction to the structure of the Bantu languages which constitute one of the largest language groups in Africa. With some 350-600 Bantu languages spoken across Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the language group provides an ideal lens through which to examine language variation, language contact and change, as well as to explore the way in which variation is underpinned by typological constraints.
The course provides students with an introduction to the study of linguistic diversity in the Bantu languages, providing an opportunity for comparing the ways in which they differ and their main characteristics from a linguistic perspective. The module covers topics related to structural variation in Bantu languages, including sound systems and word and sentence structure. We look at issues related to the noun class system and agreement, the structure of verbs, as well as topics in phonology and syntax. The approach taken will be largely comparative-typological.
By the end of the course, students will have a good understanding of the major structural properties of Bantu languages. They will also be familiar with the main topics in the history, sociology, and geography of the Bantu languages. Students will be encouraged to develop their own analyses through individual work on aspects of a Bantu language (or languages).
Area Tags: Syntax, Variation, Typology, Areal Linguistics, Morphology, Phonology, Tone
(Session 1) Monday/Thursday 9:00am – 10:20am
Location: ILC S231
Instructors: Nancy Kula & Hannah Gibson
Professor Nancy Kula is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Essex, UK. Her research focuses mainly on Eastern and Central Bantu areas with comparative work across the Bantu area, focusing on phonology, morphology, morphosyntax and the interface between prosody and syntax. She also works on language policy and multilingualism in different contexts. She collaborates with a number of colleagues in Bantu language areas in Zambia, Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa.
Dr Hannah Gibson is a Senior Lecturer in Linguistics at the University of Essex, UK. Her research examines linguistic variation with a focus on the morphosyntax of Bantu languages of Eastern and Southern Africa. She has carried out research in Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa, as well as working on a wide range of comparative-typological projects. She also works on language contact, language change, multilingualism and the link between linguistics and social justice.
Hannah Gibson will be teaching the first week of this course and Nancy Kula will teach the second week.
