The Numeral Systems of Nigerian Languages


Book Description

The papers in this collection present the numeral systems of more than twenty Nigerian languages. The papers mainly emanate from a workshop on the numeral systems of Nigerian languages organised by the Linguistic Association of Nigeria during its 23rd Annual Conference which was held at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The workshop arose from awareness created by Dr. Eugene S.L. Chan on the need for Nigerian linguists to document this severely endangered but very important aspect of natural languages. The quantum of mathematical computations - addition, multiplication, subtraction, or a combination of two or all of these - involved in the numeral systems of Nigerian languages is remarkable. The papers reveal that a variety of numeral systems do exist, such as: binary, decimal, incomplete decimal, duodecimal, quinary, quaternary, ternary, mixed, body-part tally systems, and much more. The book is a resource about how different languages manipulate their numeral systems.




The Numeral Systems of Nigerian Languages


Book Description

The papers in this collection present the numeral systems of more than twenty Nigerian languages. The papers mainly emanate from a workshop on the numeral systems of Nigerian languages organised by the Linguistic Association of Nigeria during its 23rd Annual Conference which was held at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The workshop arose from awareness created by Dr. Eugene S.L. Chan on the need for Nigerian linguists to document this severely endangered but very important aspect of natural languages. The quantum of mathematical computations - addition, multiplication, subtraction, or a combination of two or all of these - involved in the numeral systems of Nigerian languages is remarkable. The papers reveal that a variety of numeral systems do exist, such as: binary, decimal, incomplete decimal, duodecimal, quinary, quaternary, ternary, mixed, body-part tally systems, and much more. The book is a resource about how different languages manipulate their numeral systems.




A Typology of Numeral Systems in South Asian Languages


Book Description

This book takes a journey into the fascinating world of numerical systems in South Asian languages, offering a unique exploration of the intricate patterns, cultural nuances, and historical significance embedded within the numerical frameworks of the given languages. It blends the discovery of new facts with the reinterpretation of existing ones, while developing a methodology for investigating number systems that can be applied to languages around the world. It is a groundbreaking study that unveils the complex linguistic patterns and socio-cultural significance of numerical systems in South Asian languages, offering valuable insights for researchers, linguists, anthropologists, and language enthusiasts alike. By bridging the gap between linguistics, anthropology, cultural studies, and mathematics, this book encourages interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration by examining numeral systems from multiple angles.




Numerical Notation


Book Description

This book is a cross-cultural reference volume of all attested numerical notation systems, encompassing more than 100 such systems used over the past 5,500 years. Using a typology that defies unilinear evolutionary models, Stephen Chrisomalis identifies five basic types of numerical notation systems, tracks relationships between systems, and creates a general model of change that incorporates social, historical, and cognitive factors.




Nigerian Languages, Literatures, Culture and Reforms


Book Description

The papers in this volume were selected from the Silver Jubilee edition of the Annual Conference of the Linguistic Association of Nigerian (LAN) which was held at the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Abuja, Nigeria. The Silver Jubilee edition is dedicated to the father of Nigerian Linguistics, Professor Emeritus Ayo Bamgbose. Professor Emeritus Bamgbose was the first indigenous Professor of Linguistics in Nigeria, and the first black African to teach linguistics in any known university south of the Sahara. He was there from the very beginning, and together with co-operation of people such as the late Professor Kay Williamson, he nurtured Nigerian linguistics. He is not just a foremost Nigerian linguist, but also a most famous, respected, celebrated, distinguished, and cherished African linguist of all times. To be candid, Nigerian linguistics is synonymous with Professor Emeritus Bamgbose. In 58 well-written chapters by experts in their fields, the book covers aspects of Nigerian languages, linguistics, literatures and culture. The papers have not been categorized into sections; rather they flow, hence there is some overlapping in the arrangement. The book is an essential resource for all who are interested to learn about current trends in the study of languages, linguistics and related subject-matters in Nigeria.




Languages: A Very Short Introduction


Book Description

How many languages are there? What differentiates one language from another? Are new languages still being discovered? Why are so many languages disappearing? These are some of the questions considered in this Very Short Introduction. By examining the science of languages, we find that the answers are not as simple as we might expect.




Cardinal Numerals


Book Description

"The book embeds an analysis of the Old English numeral system and its particularities into a broader, cross-linguistic discussion and provides a theoretical framework for the general study of numeral systems. A novel perspective on the morphosyntactic behaviour of numerals allows the author to test and refine some long standing tenets in the study of numerals." --Book Jacket.







When Languages Die


Book Description

It is commonly agreed by linguists and anthropologists that the majority of languages spoken now around the globe will likely disappear within our lifetime. This text focuses on the question: what is lost when a language dies?




Africa Counts


Book Description

Study by a mathematical scholar on the ways in which African people count, keep time and records, play games, use geometry in art and architecture, etc. Based on research in Nigeria and East Africa.