ABSTRACT
This volume puts together a collection of papers that seek to provide an insightful understanding of the internal structure of the Bantu noun phrase (NP), with the central question being how closely integrated the determiner phrase (DP) that may host it is. This introductory chapter, therefore, attempts to put the book's theme into proper perspective. Thus, apart from taking the reader on a tour of the languages directly concerned in the nine papers, the chapter (1) looks at some conceptual background issues and needs concerning the formal structure of the NP, (2) examines the field of Bantu linguistic studies from inception, with respect to the subject matter, and (3) provides an overview of the papers.
