article
Wolof noun classification: the social setting of divergent change
Language in society • 7 • Published In 1978 • Pages: 37-64
By: Irvine, Judith T..
Abstract
This article investigates the trend of linguistic change in the Wolof system of noun classification by comparing nineteenth century linguistic evidence with sociolinguistic data of the 1970s. With the rural Wolof the noun class system displays competing generalizations associated with different social (or caste) groups. Middle-aged men of the upwardly mobile high caste have a tendency to reduce the system, while speakers of the lower caste groups tend to elaborate it. 'The source of both tendencies can be found in Wolof cultural assumptions relating social rank to norms of verbal conduct. In particular, an idea that linguistic 'error' can be appropriate for high-ranking persons underlies the reductionist tendencies of upwardly mobile speakers. Although the two tendencies compete on one level, on another they combine to form a more general systemic trend toward the incorporation of social features into Wolof syntax' (p. 37).
- HRAF PubDate
- 1999
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Western Africa
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- John Beierle ; 1998
- Field Date
- 1970-1971, 1975
- Coverage Date
- 1970-1971, 1975
- Coverage Place
- Kayor region, Senegal
- Notes
- Judith T. Irvine
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 64)
- LCCN
- 72623747
- LCSH
- Wolof (African people)