ABSTRACT
Characteristics: In contrast to other Niger-Congo languages, the Mande languages have no noun classes; however, remnants of an old class system can be seen in the consonantinitial alternations. Tonal languages (tone used to mark grammatical categories), velarized consonants (e.g. in Kpelle), grammatical distinction between absolute and relational nominals, development of various syllabaries. ( also African languages)
References
Brauner, S. 1975. Lehrbuch des Bambara. Leipzig. Creissels, D. 1983. Elements de grammaire de la langue mandinka. Grenoble. Kastenholz, R. 1988. Mande languages and linguistics, compiled and (partially) annotated.
