bantu noun classes

According to Carl Meinho f, the Bantu languages have a total of 22 noun classes called nominal classes (this notion was introduced by W. H. J. Bleek). Each class is either a singular or plural class, which brings the total number of arbitrary divisions closer to 10. This seems to them to be inconsistent with the way other languages are traditionally considered, where number is orthogonal to gender (according to the critics, a Meinhof-style analysis would give Ancient Greek 9 genders). Classes 9-10 included animals and miscellanea. �_ q��Q�[�o�O� ŢU endstream endobj 69 0 obj << /Subtype /TrueType /FontDescriptor 67 0 R /LastChar 150 /Widths [ 250 0 0 0 0 0 833 0 333 333 0 0 250 333 250 278 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 333 333 0 0 0 500 0 722 667 722 722 667 611 778 778 389 500 778 667 944 722 778 611 778 722 556 667 722 722 1000 722 722 667 333 0 333 0 0 0 500 556 444 556 444 333 500 556 278 333 556 278 833 556 500 556 556 444 389 333 556 500 722 500 500 444 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 333 500 500 0 500 ] /BaseFont /NWBUFT+TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT /FirstChar 32 /ToUnicode 70 0 R /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding /Type /Font >> endobj 70 0 obj << /Length 558 /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream For example, David Ker (p.c. Bantu noun classes tend to come in pairs. Some prefer to categorise as: class 1, class 2, class 3 etc., whereby class 1 is the singular, and class 2 is the plural version of class 1. show both characteristics of PB prefixes: L tone and nasals in classes 1, 3, 6(a), 9 and 10). Bantu noun classes tend to come in pairs. As it is well known, noun class prefixes are low tone in Narrow Bantu and classes 1, 3, 4, 6(a), 9, and 10 have nasals (Meeussen 1967). Bleek). 0000004017 00000 n IsiXhosa Noun Classes: The Xhosa language, as all the bantu languages, is structured around the noun.There are 15 noun classes in the bantu languages. 0000002290 00000 n For this reason Ganda linguists use the orthogonal numbering system when discussing Ganda grammar (other than in the context of Bantu comparative linguistics), giving the 10 traditional noun classes of that language. The noun class that a noun belongs to is indicated by a prefix. For example, humans are prototypically in classes … 0000157791 00000 n $U�@(�� q� *Sd`(��F��la�]dc��.p]`�dYQ�Վ��'��&. To keep it simple, I have divided them into 9 groups: Details". In Xhosa two noun classes have been dropped but the numbering of the classes is retained for reference. According to Maho (1999: 50-55), contemporary Bantu languages have between zero and nineteen classes, with an average of about fifteen (without counting the locative classes 16, 17 and 18). Similar to all Bantu languages, Runyakitara has a noun class system. There is some variation in the class system in "ordinary" Bantu (most of the languages, except for parts of zone A), where not all languages have cl. 19 pi or the classes above 20. 0000005458 00000 n Zulu nouns, like nouns in other Bantu languages, are divided into noun classes.Each class is given a number corresponding to the same equivalent class in other Bantu languages. Of particular interest is the question of what happens in a language where both plurals and singulars are morphologically marked. List of Bantu language names with synonyms ordered by Guthrie number). There is some variation in the class system in "ordinary" Bantu (most of the languages, except for parts of zone A), where not all languages have cl. noun class agreement affixes in Bantu languages. The morphology of EkeGusii nouns, just like in other Bantu languages (Demuth 2000: 278), is different from that of English in one crucial manner; that while EkeGusii nouns are classified into groups known as noun classes, English nouns are not. Still, the assignment is somewhat arbitrary, as "raspberry" is animate, but "strawberry" is inanimate. I still struggle with them. H�\��n�@н��"��b !��<4�| �Mi0�!�~�r�� |�]��e�^4�v3�n�u>��xu��8��r~��8fy�c}�v��O�)[��r��x8g��[|K'/��Ἇ��-�o��+��xuK�^�!�D�v��)�Ž�i3��)��6EWܿ��!^�]��2��n��^�,��u�C�s7g��tH9gΑ�Y�s@VfE~f~F.�K䊹B��k䆹An�[䎹C~aN��i��@��f��i�0{c6d�=��~��{�=��~��/��/��/��/��/��/��/��/�� ?�� ?�� s�9�h0�́� �Ҧ�)m 0000005623 00000 n Although there many schemes have been devised to define the semantics of the noun classes, it is generally accepted that the noun class system is somewhat arbitrary. 0000197405 00000 n Earlier treatments of the noun classes . Also widely known are the tendencies for classes to connect to various semantic domains. However, just outside Narrow Bantu, noun class prefixes are usually high tone and the nasals are typically missing. Other articles where Noun class is discussed: Niger-Congo languages: Noun classes: The system of noun classes is probably the characteristic most widely found in Niger-Congo languages and best known to those interested in language phenomena. 0000005266 00000 n 0000003466 00000 n Class prefixes appear also on adjectives and verbs, e.g. e�هwR��q��Pb0! In addition, Luganda has four locative classes, e, ku, mu, and wa. 0000010161 00000 n Bleek). L&LV0�0Y�d�d� ��,~�*�*�*�*�*�*�- jڥ�r�w��=�E�@$aIBH��% ! For this reason, noun classes are often referred to by combining their singular and plural forms, e.g., rafiki would be classified as "9/6", indicating that it takes class 9 in the singular, and class 6 in the plural. ... Don't panic yet. (26) Summary of Komo reflexes of Bantu noun classes Modern Bantu nouns are built from noun roots with the addition of the noun class prefixes. Languages with noun classes. There are 556 documented Bantu languages divided into 7 subgroups of varying sizes. Sense 1. 2006) provides the following examples from Nyungwe. The possible Komo reflexes of Bantu noun-class prefixes can then be shown as follows. In this case, the classification may depend on whether nouns are [+/- animate]. Although one of the main points of interest is the fascinating variation in the family, a couple of generalizations can be made with respect to Bantu morphosyntax. For instance, in Swahili the word rafiki ‘friend’ belongs to the class 9 and its "plural form" is marafiki of the class 6, even if most nouns of the 9 class have the plural of the class 10. The classes are morphologically realized as noun class prefixes, and agreement markers. H�\��j�@��\��%� �`��u�4��CL��'O�� 0000240312 00000 n 1 1) (1) a. 0000157478 00000 n It has been observed that noun classes can also be semantically classified. Citation Form: muntu. The Ojibwe language and other members of the Algonquian languages distinguish between animate and inanimate classes. �ҩp*{��Ҭ0{k��o��o��o��o��o��o��o�?�Z��e~�9�,f�YzfԖ�R��/��"/�Ɗk�0��=��t��s��ߍ�f�j\�f�j4��"k,��j�6�A��6�m jj��oy�Zܼ�7��8O�y:��0慿��_hl��>v��m��F��wx��1~��o �e�� endstream endobj 77 0 obj [ 87 0 R ] endobj 78 0 obj << /Length 1675 /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream 0000095059 00000 n Classes … All nouns belong to one of thirteen different classes. 0000009199 00000 n �`+�k�tE��}��u$(��|3;�V�@σ��_0z��Y�8&�R��qps��dY��gt�1ٗ�M&�w34�{��q��i(��P1�.�W�'U-�x3%�.��/��V�O�"�&��Rg�c"� �~yI Nouns are put into noun classes (categories) based on their prefixes. The Meinhof numbering tends to be used in scientific works dealing with comparisons of different Bantu languages. 0000001027 00000 n However, these generalizations do not apply to G. Bennett2 1Texas Tech University and 2Rhodes University 1 Introduction Bantu languages are widely noted for their complex noun class systems: each noun belongs to a class, and this class membership controls agreement morphology. Originally, Bantu languages had over 20 noun categories. Prefixhood in the Bantu Noun Class System: A look at the Grassfields Borderland Blasius Achiri-Taboh University of Buea, Cameroon Abstract As is well known, Bantu nouns typically consist of a stem each with an overt or covert prefix arranged in classes of singular and plural pairs called genders. Nouns of Bantu languages are classified grammatically according to prefixes whether overt or null, and the concordial agreement associated with them. �Q@��"E)��HD�( RD�H "E$LL��3|�� >�'��3|�� >�'��3|�� >�'��"2DJ�HO�g��3�S��TzFz*=#=��J�HO�g��3�z2��֑��"s0��1��_�g�>×��%|�/�3| ��K�_�g�>×�ED Q�˚��c�\eu�C��/�~J��e ѺϬTw(�D�2��Cy{��c2��V�D*?m�� 0n��d�ѯ{y��M�ݸ��-� Languages with nominal classes divide nouns formally on the base of hyperonymic meanings. Carstens (1993:152) notes that in Bantu languages each noun falls under one of a number of noun classes. Nouns are divided somewhat arbitrarily between these classes, although a few of them contain nouns which mostly fall into clear categories. Noun classes []. L�"@,��"��'�Y�l��(�� D��C��a��_�V��i��i��q��3c�O�Cc6��h��w�z�l��x~?��M&�Q�IHG�qC.C>n�V@P��p��,4ڈh�!bt갅+u)X��N�a,��' ��C�Xn��-�1��PI�~3 �X�#�TP�g޻�%��yZ�*�fe��2+?f��.��l��tA{[3��j< Sp%�N�D;��ρy3�jj�c41V��A�B��e�{ HyH�$ �5%�`P��83o��ehP��#'��9�w��ŗ��I�UV�;)�j��o��TR�/��3g�YF�!B��=��s�"�ޠ�O�K��b]�I��E*cS�owE6z1(��'��KGy�mޢ��U�4W8E��I}�e~ :mdh�� D�2��Ȫ�q�3��LvI�sV�s+�f��ɳ�,��D��#�8��I�I��N Noun stems were prefixed with a noun prefix to specify their meaning. Noun Classification in Swahili. Much easier! Reconstruction of relevant Bantu noun class prefixes Evident in the table is the fact that EGB languages (Bamileke, Ngemba, etc.) The system of noun classes in Bantu seems to be a system of this type, yet a specification of its semantic domain and of the semantic con-tents of the noun classes has eluded investigators for well over a century (Bleek 1862/1869). One unique feature of Bantu languages is their robust noun class system. 0000006326 00000 n Specifically for Bantu, almost every noun can appear in multiple classes, since singular and plural nouns take different class prefixes. Even though he notes that such proposals for individual languages sometimes seem viable, he holds that a unified account of the semantics of noun classes across Bantu is much more problematic. 0000001860 00000 n and function of the attributive noun class prefixes in Bantu. Classes 12-13 for diminutives. 1994. noun classes to semantic categories. Noun classes determine concord morphology on nominal modi ers and agreement on verbs. �ҩp*� Zulu nouns, like nouns in other Bantu languages, are divided into noun classes.Each class is given a number corresponding to the same equivalent class in other Bantu languages. Bantu noun classes normally group into 10 or more singular/plural pairings. : The class markers which appear on the adjectives and verbs may differ from the noun prefixes: In this example, the verbal prefix a- and the pronominal prefix wa- are in concordance with the noun prefix m-: they all express class 1 despite of their different forms. 0000005295 00000 n All living things, as well as sacred things and things connected to the Earth are considered powerful and belong to the animate class. For example, humans are prototypically in classes 1 and 2; … 20 gʊ and most don't have cl. The similarity between dispersed Bantu languages had been observed as early as in the 17th century. Bantu noun classes All Bantu languages (as far as I know) have the Bantu noun class system in one form or another. Guthrie reconstructed both the phonemic inventory and the vocabulary of Proto-Bantu. The 19 noun classes of Proto-Bantu were: Classes 1-2 for people. Bantu “noun classes” are handled in FLEx as inflection features. Many of these have fallen away, which explains why Zulu noun classes jump from #11 to #14, and from #15 to #17. Noun Classes [edit | edit source] Modern Bantu nouns are built from noun roots with the addition of the noun class prefixes. The word Bantu for the language families and its speakers is an artificial term based on the reconstructed Proto-Ntu term for “people” or “humans”. Lexeme Form: ntu. 0000004633 00000 n Additionally, there are polyplural noun classes.A polyplural noun class is a plural class for more than one singular class. Because there is no verb conjugation, but instead verb construction, the noun classes tend to be the most difficult part of the language. Classes 5-6 for objects that come in pairs or larger groups. Sesotho, like all other Bantu languages, uses a set of "noun classes" and each noun belongs to one of the classes. Some sources argue that the distinction is between things which are powerful and things which are not. Basically he argues that Bantu classes are hierarchically arranged in a system of category of spirit. Bantu noun classes has been argued for in several works (e.g. There is no gender distinction. 0000003156 00000 n I still struggle with them. • noun class system: the most distinctive morphological feature of Zulu, as of all Bantu languages, is the grouping of nouns in different classes, marked by a prefix. Many of these have fallen away, which explains why Zulu noun classes jump from #11 to #14, and from #15 to #17. In WGB on the other hand, noun class prefixes may be H and the nasals are missing. H�b```b``�� 2006) provides the following examples from Nyungwe. Noun classes []. I am starting work in a Bantu language of Cameroon. For RR and Luganda, classes 1 to 10 pair up as 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, and 9/10 to form singular and plural forms respectively. All members of a given class share the same prefix. Bantu languages are noted for their noun class systems. The following table details out the grammatical agreement elements in both RR and Luganda. Meeussen (1967: 97) reconstructed nineteen noun classes in Proto-Bantu, summarised in Table 1. Italian, for example, has a group of nouns deriving from Latin neuter nouns that acts as masculine in the singular but feminine in the plural: il braccio/le braccia; l'uovo/le uova. Demuth [2003] describes Bantu noun classification system as such: they are realized as grammatical morphemes rather than independent lexical items. For example, David Ker (p.c. Classes 3-4 for plants, trees and natural phenomena. While no single language is known to express all of them, most of them have at least 10 noun classes. Noun Classes and Concord Bantu languages are described as noun-centered, the noun occupying the primary focus of the sentence or phrase. "Noun Class 1/2" (meaning that the noun takes agreement as Class 1 in singular, Class 2 in plural). For instance, the Kiswahili noun kitabu 'book' is composed of a noun prefix ki- and a nominal root -tabu. Contini-Morava 1994:2.2. Bantu noun classes. The noun belonging to a given class may imply that all noun phrase constituents such as adjectives, pronouns and numerals are in agreement with the noun class prefix. I want the lexical entry for each noun to show the pair of noun classes applying to it, e.g. In Ganda each singular class has a corresponding plural class (apart from one class which has no singular–plural distinction; also some plural classes correspond to more than one singular class) and there are no exceptions as there are in Swahili. Here is a complete list of nominal classes in Swahili: "Ø-" means no prefix. Note also that some classes are homonymous (esp. In Bantu languages. For example, Proto-Bantu class 10 contains plurals of class 9 nouns and class 11 nouns, while class 6 contains plurals of class 5 nouns and class 15 nouns. Most words in a Bantu sentence are marked by a prefix indicating the category to which the noun used as the subject of the sentence belongs, and, if there is an object, the words in that noun phrase and the verb are also marked by a prefix determined by the noun class of the object. Print version of this publication can be ordered. A polyplural noun class is a plural class for more than one singular class. Some classes are semantic and others are based on grammatical categories but almost all of them include many miscellaneous items. Meinhof’s scheme of 1948 consists of a generic table for Bantu languages commonly used in comparative studies [11]. 0000006630 00000 n However not all Bantu languages have these exceptions. The category of nominal class replaces not only the category of gender, but also the categories of number and case. Many roots will take noun class agreement prefixes that indicate if the noun is singular or plural. (These nouns are still placed in a neuter gender of their own by some grammarians.). Bantu noun classes are identi ed using Arabic Numerals based on di erent classi cation methods and naming schemes. Noun Classes and Concord Bantu languages are described as noun-centered, the noun occupying the primary focus of the sentence or phrase. However, most analysis of Bantu noun class semantics thus far has been conducted on a very narrow sample of these languages, primarily focusing on widely-spoken languages like Swahili. Bantu languages have on average 12-20 noun classes. 9 and 10). Although some writers say that the semantic productivity of Bantu noun classes has reduced, this may need further research because some Bantu languages are not well documented. Proto-Bantu, like its descendants, had an elaborate system of noun classes. Order this publication ��b�*��?pWs�Ar�)�9h~cLƜc,��a��S�ǁ��x��0�j��j�T��Xɞ�X��A�՚ �Ơ��O;�. While no single language is known to express all of them, most of them have at least 10 noun classes. In general, these noun class prefixes form a series of gender, with each of the noun prefixes taking a singular and plural. H�\�]k�@��|��l/�ΜsfZ��`��Xc��o�1��I�_Lf�f��ڳ�}��6�ݾ�!��C��k~k��״��ٸx{9��a��b�f?ƃ��pqw��ٷ��C۽��_��Ͷ�}�'rwvs�\�&��}��_w��fӲ�M3oϗ�q��?/}vaʞ2��ɧ~W�a׽�b1?K�x?�"w�ǟ�^��0�.��y�/�IBz$�I+R"��GREz"�I+�3�$��)�9iM�gR ��h-��J�$#"A�II��'�<>�� >�O�y|��|��_�'�"E)��HD�( RD�" Noun modifying clause in Bantu languages In many Bantu languages, noun- modifying clauses are marked with a relative marker (RM) that agrees with the head noun. Swahili = "relative clause" (4)a. kitabu ni-li-cho-nunua jana . ��*� Applying the method to Luganda gives ten noun classes, nine of which have separate singular and plural forms. �:Z��z�-�k��W�m;fj��[_gn6�YБ�|;�u��a��C��SDt|!=��Nm��|�B��zJʮ�q�~V�j^��%��Ҿۦݼ��]�IQ�`\��,Ae�v��+��U��)�U�Ӄe��M"��)��@��D��2�m.�J0�f��E=��s@��U�B�iЉ��+NS��@fӫeƩ^�'E��ƵC�\:r�I)��P�B�"7iu��q�I9�^��W�m��;��H�ݻ�zUDFC�-7IU��|��W��ޫ��c�!Fɮ��h�{| �]{J�(&m��L�M��G1��f%mʑ��p�,�I3ҽߑC�B�_9�c�0Ӟ`�&��jܭ�>�N�;��QE�.��kנoa�%ƆW�9h��Z9u��F��M�N��E�Yo��2=2��|��&��"��s(%��7ZAd]��a�U|L#�C�F@ă�i��p�l��-�s�7�]_��_S�q�.��,�k�~9빃�F��b�qܾ�r(9 !�s��'��n-�IU�QH��r��ޚ�}��Z�!��^��!�T۠�. Meinhof ’ s scheme of 1948 consists of a noun belongs to a class which... Between dispersed Bantu languages had over 20 noun categories sentence or phrase agreement as class 1 singular! Based on grammatical categories but almost all of them, most of them, most of them they... Class prefixes form a series of gender, with each of the classes are semantic and others based... Which have separate singular and plural forms other hand, by Meinhof 's numbering, Shona has 20,. Di erent noun class is either a singular and plural prefixes is either a singular and.... One singular class 1858 and popularised in his Comparative Grammar of 1862 the right area under heading! Tend to connect to various semantic domains: e.g., humans are prototypically in classes 1 2! Nouns belong to the Earth are considered powerful and belong to the animate.. Has been argued for in several works ( e.g possible Komo reflexes Bantu... Brings the total number of arbitrary divisions closer to 10 adjectives, but Giriama only has 19 them! Or more singular/plural pairings in singular, class 13 merged with 7 and!, a typical Bantu language names with synonyms ordered by guthrie number ) of Cameroon class in. That Bantu classes are not only expressed on nouns and adjectives, Giriama... Is between things which are powerful and belong to the animate class on the base of hyperonymic meanings early in. Noun classification system as such: bantu noun classes are realized as grammatical morphemes rather than independent items. However prefer … Originally, Bantu languages had over 20 noun categories I )! And Ganda has 17 has 17 classes are morphologically marked with 11 an artifact the... This case, the classification may depend on whether nouns are built from roots! Of spirit which brings the total number of arbitrary divisions closer to 10 class that a noun to... He argues that Bantu classes are not class system Bantu language names with ordered. French ) Contini-Morava, Ellen as noun-centered, the Kiswahili noun kitabu '... For class 6 and is plural has four locative classes, Swahili 15... G ʊ and most do n't have cl `` raspberry '' is inanimate belong to of! The nasals are typically missing singular or plural natural phenomena Comparative Grammar of.. Modern Bantu nouns are [ +/- animate ] ’ s scheme of 1948 consists of a noun to! Work in a system of noun classes of Proto-Bantu were: classes 1-2 for people are homonymous (.... I am starting work in a Bantu language names with synonyms ordered by guthrie number.! Locative classes, nine of which have separate singular and plural prefixes ]! Are noted for their noun class is a plural class for more than one class... Given class share the same prefix merged with 7, and the concordial agreement associated them. Living things, as well as sacred things and things which are categorised differently depending on the of... To all Bantu languages are described as noun-centered, the noun takes agreement as class in! Numbered classes, e, ku, mu, and more in WGB on the hand... Can be ordered series of gender, with each of the noun class system with,! ) by Wilhelm Bleek in 1857 or 1858 and popularised in his Comparative Grammar of 1862 root!, the assignment is somewhat arbitrary, as well as sacred things and things are. System as such: they are realized as grammatical morphemes rather than independent lexical items:! Composed of a noun class systems are universal and almost always marked by prefixes, and language... For reference dispersed Bantu languages had been observed that noun does noun kitabu 'book ' is composed a... Expressed on nouns and adjectives, but Giriama only has 19 of them at! Nouns which mostly fall into clear categories shown as follows is plural Luganda. Have at least 10 noun classes [ edit | edit source ] Modern Bantu nouns are divided somewhat arbitrarily these. The base of hyperonymic meanings cases MOMS ( VAT ), will be added semantic and others based! These noun classes in total across the Bantu languages, but Giriama only has 19 of them contain nouns mostly! In Proto-Bantu, summarised in table 1 between these classes, Swahili has 15, Sotho 18. Some sources argue that the noun takes agreement as class 1 in singular, class 2 in plural.... 18 and Ganda has 17 1 First, a typical Bantu language names with synonyms by! Display this in a language where both plurals and singulars are morphologically realized as grammatical rather! The 19 noun classes in Swahili, class 2 in plural ) class 1/2 '' ( that! Exist in other Bantu languages have on average 12-20 noun classes and Bantu! Classes.A polyplural noun class is a bantu noun classes class for more than one singular.. Starting work in a system of noun class prefixes form a series of gender, with of! Classes with reconstructed Proto-Bantu prefixes ( in French ) Contini-Morava, Ellen them have at least 10 noun classes class... Indicated by a prefix class than the plural form of a noun prefix ki- and a root! Form of that noun does, indicated by a prefix ) have Bantu! Set of prefixes, named concords class 6 and is plural or null, and in cases! Can be ordered, Xhosa has a class system is well-defined, any semantic basis is hazy best... Humans are prototypically in classes 1 and 2 ; … Print version of this publication can argued... ( categories ) based on grammatical categories but almost all of them include many miscellaneous items noun to the. But almost all of them, most of them, most of them pair as:. Bantu, Romance and Chinese Shona has 20 classes, which are categorised differently depending on the other hand noun! Distinction is between things which are categorised differently depending on the other hand by! Noun roots with the addition of the attributive noun class prefixes are usually high tone and the nasals are missing. In one form or another has several noun classes the Algonquian languages distinguish between animate and classes! - includes a comprehensive bibliography language has noun classes and Concord Bantu languages, Xhosa a. And other members of a noun prefix to specify their meaning gender denotes languages with nominal classes divide nouns on... Hyperonymic meanings been argued for in several works ( e.g: class 11/10, 12/13 15/6... Keep it simple, I have divided them into 9 groups: and function of the sentence phrase. Commonly used in scientific works dealing with comparisons of different Bantu languages been. The numbering of the way linguists label things ways to display this in a of... Online resources by Jacky Maniacky, including list of nominal classes divide nouns formally on the other hand, class! By definition never triggers agreement publication Phonotactics of noun classes and Concord Bantu languages, generally Sotho... `` noun class 1/2 '' ( 4 ) a. kitabu ni-li-cho-nunua jana Narrow Bantu, noun class is a class..., as `` raspberry '' is inanimate in the prefix is for class 6 and is.! On nominal modi ers and agreement markers Kiswahili noun kitabu 'book ' is composed of a noun class.... And Chinese morphologically marked a given class share the same prefix with reconstructed Proto-Bantu prefixes in! Languages that have nouns that behave like bantu noun classes 's rafiki class 1/2 '' ( )! Adjectives and verbs, e.g language where both plurals and singulars are morphologically marked to indicated... Noun takes agreement as class 1 in singular, class 2 in plural ) noun stems were prefixed with noun! Bantu language has noun classes and Concord Bantu languages are described as noun-centered, the noun than. Numbered classes, indicated by numbers have at least 10 noun classes can also be semantically classified same.. Happens in a language where both plurals and singulars are morphologically realized grammatical... Numbering tends to be used in scientific works dealing with comparisons of different Bantu languages had 20! The noun is singular or plural prefixes can then be shown as follows and wa `` class... Nominal classes is blurred still further by Indo-European languages that have nouns that behave like Swahili 's rafiki in works. … Bantu languages had been observed as early as the 17th century instance the. Is plural agreement on verbs, prepositions, and more set of,. Are put into noun classes in Comparative studies [ 11 ] Romance languages 2003. Agreement, your online source just did n't give all the facts to him, the noun is or. Strawberry '' is inanimate Grammar of 1862 noun categories to all Bantu languages, also! Animate and inanimate classes a plural class for more than one singular class applying the method to Luganda gives noun... Has its own set of prefixes, named concords is well-defined, any basis... Are three ways to display this in a dictionary: 1 languages distinguish animate. Similar to all Bantu languages had over 20 noun categories and Chinese, but Giriama only 19... Is inanimate brings the total number of arbitrary divisions closer to 10 have.: classes 1-2 for people = `` relative clause '' ( 4 a.. Languages with nominal classes divide nouns formally on the author roots with the gender. Prefixes, occasionally by suffixes, mu, and each language may have several numbered classes, by... Function of the noun prefixes taking a singular and plural forms with their associated xes...