The reference system of Gidar

Abstract Gidar (Central Chadic, Cameroon) distinguishes two genders and two numbers in nouns, pronouns, determiners, and the inflectional system on the verb. The category of person is coded by markers that differ from those in the category of number. Gidar has a distinct subject pronoun for the third-person subject in focus, but this is used only for masculine nouns. Previously mentioned objects are obligatorily marked by object pronouns. In addition, definiteness of the nominal object is marked through object pronouns on the verb. Gidar has a rich system of demonstratives and determiners that code functions belonging to either the domain of the speech environment or that of discourse. Within each of these domains there is a further distinction between proximate and remote distance from the place or the time of speech.