Classes nominales dans deux langues Niger-Congo : le baïnouck djifanghorois (atlantique) et le koalib (kordofanien)

Abstract

Koalib (Kordofanian, Central Sudan) and Djifanghor Nyun (Atlantic, Senegal) are two Niger-Congo languages, both of which exhibit rich noun class systems controlling various morphological concord patterns. In this paper, I will study in turn the main characteristics of each of these class systems by taking into account the following criteria: form of the class markers, agreement targets, interaction with number, semantics, class derivation, exceptions and integration of loanwords. I will then discuss the interest and significance of this comparison, bearing in mind the fact that the inclusion of both Nyun and Koalib into the Niger-Congo language family is largely due to the existence of these class systems.