Marked-nominative

Abstract Marked-nominative case systems occupy an important place in this volume, for two reasons: Not only do they constitute the most widespread type of case systems in Africa, they also are an almost unique African phenomenon. Marked-nominative languages are in fact cross-linguistically rare. The only other reliable cases that have been reported are the Yuman languages (e.g. Maricopa [Gordon 1986], Dieguen)o, Jamul Tiipy [Langdon 1970, Miller 2001] as well as the Yukian language Wappo (Li & Thompson 1976:454–65, Li, Thompson & Sawyer 1977:89–99) of California. Further information is needed on the following languages, also claimed to have marked- nominative systems: Houailou (Oceanic, Austronesian), some older Germanic languages, Old French, Ancient Egyptian (on pronouns), varieties of Maidu (Penutian), Shokleng (Jê), Malak-Malak (non-Pama-Nyungan, Australian), and Proto-Afroasiatic (Plank 1985a:302, 2007 and Mallinson &&&& Blake 1981:47–8).