Sponsor
Research on this project was aided by grants from the Endangered Language Fund (New Haven, CT), the Bremer Stiftung für Kultur- und Sozialanthropologie (Bremen, Germany) and the Fulbright Hays Commission (USA).
Published In
Journal of West African Languages
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2004
Subjects
Languages in contact -- Niger, Languages in contact -- Congo, Niger-Congo languages, Atlantic languages, Mande languages, Kissi language
Abstract
This paper presents the effects of long-lasting and pervasive contact between two major language groups of Niger-Congo, both of which diverged relatively early from the parent stock. The influence has been asymmetrical: Mande has more deeply influenced Atlantic than vice versa. The details come from two profoundly influenced languages, Kisi, now completely surrounded by Mande, and Mmani, a closely related language, from which all speakers have switched to the Mande language Soussou.
Le contact entre les locuteurs des langues atlantiques et les locuteurs des langues mande est de longue durée et profond. Les deux ensembles sont très différents typologiquement. À cause de cela on peut facilement identifier les effets du contact. En général ce sont les mande, plus militants et plus organisés, qui ont dominé les agriculteurs atlantiques dans leurs petits hameaux. Les conséquences linguistiques de cette asymétrie sont considérables, comme on le voit aux données du kisi et du mmani, deux langues sous l’influence profonde du mande.
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/27645
Citation Details
Childs, George Tucker. (2004) The Atlantic and Mande groups of Niger-Congo: A study in contrasts, a study in interaction. Journal of West African Languages, 30, 2: 29-40.
Description
Originally appeared in the Journal of West African Languages, volume 30, number 2, published by the West African Linguistic Society. May be found at https://main.journalofwestafricanlanguages.org/index.php.