Southern Nilotic Impersonal Constructions from a Typological Perspective

This presentation will explore a set of cognate constructions in the Southern Nilotic family that have variably been described as passive, impersonal, and third person plural subject constructions. Based on their formal and functional features, it will be argued that the term “impersonal” is the most appropriate label to describe these constructions, and it will be demonstrated how the constructions align and do not align with generalizations from the typological literature on impersonals.Note: This talk has not gone through a process of peer review, and findings should therefore be treated as preliminary and subject to change. Acknowledgement and citation: Griscom, Richard. 2019. Southern Nilotic Impersonal Constructions from a Typological Perspective. Talk given at the Rift Valley Network Webinar Series. 04/09/201