Sociogeographic correlates of typological variation in northwestern Bantu gender systems

Abstract This paper investigates the sociolinguistic factors that impact typology and evolution of grammatical gender systems in northwestern Bantu, most diverse area Bantu-speaking world. We base our analyses on a typological classification 179 Bantu languages, focusing various instances semantic agreement their role erosion marking. In addition, we conduct in-depth sociolinguistics population history 17 languages sample with eroded systems. The sociohistorical identified to explain these highly are then translated into set explanatory variables, which use extensive quantitative language sample. These variables size, longitude, latitude, relationship Central African rainforest, border Ubangi/Central Sudanic languages. All measures relevant, size bordering being robust accounting for distribution restructuring. conclude fine-tuned variable design tailored area-specific ecologies is crucial advancement typology.