Abstract
A major challenge presented by noun class systems of Senufo languages is the non-trivial interaction between the agreement features of the noun phrase and the noun class specification on the head noun. In Kafire (Senufo, Côte d’Ivoire), demonstratives normally agree with the head noun independent of whether or not the head noun is modified by adjectives. Some adjectives, however, are exceptions to the general rule: in their presence the demonstrative appears in Class 2 or 3 (depending on the adjective), and fails to agree with the head noun. We present an account of the exceptional behavior of such adjectives within the framework of Lexical-Functional Grammar. We show that agreement in Kafire is a heterogeneous phenomenon that is best viewed as transitional between a system of semantically motivated agreement and a system of noun classes that is no longer dependent on meaning. Vestiges of the old system have been preserved in a variety of phenomena that have to be addressed individually using different kinds of formal tools provided by the framework. The variety of formal devices required to describe the functioning of the agreement system reflects the complex diachrony and the cross-modal (lexico-syntactic) synchronic nature of agreement phenomena.
Highlights
This study aims to contribute to the study of agreement phenomena across languages through an investigation of noun class agreement in Kafire, a Senufo language spoken in Côte d’Ivoire
The major aim of this study was to describe the system of noun class agreement in Kafire and outline a formal solution to a number of its challenging properties
We believe that the same transitional status explains the lexical split within the class of adjectives: only some of the adjectives have an effect on the agreement properties of the entire noun phrase, including adjectives that are associated with the archaic meaning of certain noun classes
Summary
A central component of any syntactic framework is theory of agreement, yet studies comparing the potential of different formal approaches to agreement are still hard to come by (for recent examples, see Bond et al 2016, Haug & Nikitina 2016). In (5), for example, the demonstratives are in Class 2 and Class 3 because of the adjectives, even though the head noun pɔ ̰ ‘dog’ is normally Class 1 (as shown above) Another non-trivial property of the noun class system of Kafire (and apparently Senufo languages more generally, cf Traoré 2020 for parallel data from Tagbana) is the way noun class markers can contribute their own meaning. We explore these puzzling phenomena and suggest a formal account of both noun class agreement with adjectives and semantically motivated use of noun class markers in Kafire. THE NOUN CLASS SYSTEM OF KAFIRE 2.1 Background information Kafire is a Senufo language from the Central Senari group, spoken in three subprefectures (Sirasso, Nafoun and Kanoroba) in the department of Korhogo in Northern Côte d’Ivoire It is as yet undescribed, apart from the lexical and. Noun class systems of Gur languages have received considerable attention (Nicole 1999, Miehe & Winkelmann, eds. 2007, inter alia), but the extent to which they function in the same way as in Senufo languages remains unknown
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
