The Oxford Handbook of African Languages – eBook

Description

The Oxford Handbook of African Languages, (PDF) serves as an invaluable resource, providing an in-depth examination of contemporary research in African languages. This extensive handbook synthesizes insights from diverse fields such as historical linguistics, anthropological linguistics, typology, comparative linguistics, and sociolinguistics. Africa is home to at least one-third of the globe’s languages, which are typically divided into four primary language families: Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Congo, Afro-Asiatic, and Khoisan. These families are further dissected into various subfamilies and subgroupings, offering a rich tapestry of linguistic diversity.

Inside this comprehensive volume, readers will find a detailed exploration of major grammatical domains accompanied by comparative analysis methodologies. It includes thorough overviews of the four language phyla and their respective subfamilies, featuring grammatical sketches of eighteen representative African languages that span a variety of genetic affiliations. Beyond mere linguistic data, the handbook delves into critical extralinguistic topics, such as the intricate relationships between cognition, language, and culture—spotlighting aspects like color terminology and conversation analysis.

Furthermore, the book tackles societal influences on language, including phenomena like language contact and endangerment, as well as the dynamic interplay of language and history. The relationship between language and orature is also examined, providing a comprehensive understanding of how oral traditions shape linguistic practices across the continent.

This expansive handbook is an essential reference not only for students and researchers in the fields of African linguistics and anthropology but also for anyone with an interest in documentary, descriptive, typological, and comparative linguistics.

NOTE: The product includes only the ebook, The Oxford Handbook of African Languages in PDF format. Please be aware that no access codes are provided.