Logo Lanfrica
  • Accueil
  • Atlas
  • Analyses
  • Documentation
  • Sign in

© 2026 Lanfrica. Tous droits réservés. Tous les droits d'auteur des ressources affichées sur le site Web Lanfrica appartiennent aux détenteurs de droits d'auteur d'origine, sauf indication contraire explicite.

Evidentiality and the Expression of Knowledge: An African Perspective

Domaine:

natural language processing

Type de record:

paper
Créateur:
ANN
Éditeur:
Oxford university Press
Hôte:
Abstract Evidentials in African languages range from systems that distinguish between firsthand and non-firsthand information to repertoires of evidential markers that express source of information, control over knowledge, reliability of inferred information, etc. Besides more ‘typical’ evidentials, there are also examples where evidential meanings are expressed via spatial deictic markers, discourse markers, and pronominal elements. This contribution provides an overview of evidentiality in a number of African languages and a case study of the pragmatics of these expressions. The chapter’s main argument is that evidential meanings can emerge ad hoc in specific sociolinguistic settings, where a number of factors translate into a need for clarity and unambiguity in phatic communication. To avoid misinterpretations, speakers make use of evidential markers, thereby reacting to social pressure. They also make reference to notions of agency, voice, and control over knowledge. This chapter focuses on individual languages of Nigeria (Jukun, Maaka) and South Sudan (Luwo).

Visit

doi.org

Languages

Jukun TakumMaaka

Similaires

Music as a Political Expression in Transitions: An African Perspective on ZambiaA Scoping Review of Indigenous Medicinal Knowledge in Somalia: An African PerspectiveIFA DIVINATION SYSTEM: AN ARTISTIC EXPRESSION OF YORUBA KNOWLEDGE CREATIONQuality, Context, and the Repositioning of Continuous Knowledge-Based Innovation in the Learner Support Frameworks of ODL: An African PerspectiveChallenges presented by digitisation of VhaVenda oral tradition: An African indigenous knowledge systems perspectiveDefinitions of Women and Development: An African Perspective

Music as a Political Expression in Transitions: An African Perspective on Zambia

Music has long served as a powerful medium for political expression globally. In Africa's diverse cu

A Scoping Review of Indigenous Medicinal Knowledge in Somalia: An African Perspective

Indigenous medicinal knowledge (IMK) is a significant component of healthcare in Somalia, particular

IFA DIVINATION SYSTEM: AN ARTISTIC EXPRESSION OF YORUBA KNOWLEDGE CREATION

This paper examines the Ifá divination system in Yorubaland, positioned as an African science and a

Quality, Context, and the Repositioning of Continuous Knowledge-Based Innovation in the Learner Support Frameworks of ODL: An African Perspective

In this article, we question the assumptions related to the increasing exertion of continuous innova

Challenges presented by digitisation of VhaVenda oral tradition: An African indigenous knowledge systems perspective

The 21st century has witnessed an urgent need to digitise, learn, manage, preserve and exchange oral

Definitions of Women and Development: An African Perspective