36.3021, Reviews: The Oxford Guide to the Atlantic Languages of West Africa: Friederike Lüpke (ed.) (2025)

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Subject: 36.3021, Reviews: The Oxford Guide to the Atlantic Languages of West Africa: Friederike Lüpke (ed.) (2025)

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Date: 07-Oct-2025
From: Baqau Hassan Omotayo [hassanomotayob at gmail.com]
Subject: Anthropological Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Typology: Friederike Lüpke (ed.) (2025)


Book announced at https://linguistlist.org/issues/36-1273

Title: The Oxford Guide to the Atlantic Languages of West Africa
Series Title: Oxford Handbooks
Publication Year: 2025

Publisher: Oxford University Press
           http://www.oup.com/us
Book URL:
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-oxford-guide-to-the-atlantic-languages-of-west-africa-9780198736516?utm_source=linguistlist&utm_medium=listserv&utm_campaign=linguistics

Editor(s): Friederike Lüpke

Reviewer: Baqau Hassan Omotayo

SUMMARY
The “Oxford Guide to the Atlantic Languages of West Africa,” edited by
Friederike Lüpke (2025), is a guide that systematically documents and
typologises the Niger-Congo language family’s Atlantic branch in 32
chapters. The edited guide combines comprehensive grammatical
overviews with comparative and sociocultural analyses, with four
thematic parts anchoring its intellectual structure. Whereas Part I,
“Background and Classification of the Atlantic Languages,” is
dedicated to contextualising the genealogical classification of
Atlantic languages, chapters in Part II, “Individual Languages and
Language Clusters,” offer grammatical profiles of individual languages
and clusters. Chapters in Part III, “Atlantic Languages from a
Comparative and Typological Perspective,” cover features like noun
classification, normalisation, and verbal extension while Part IV,
“Atlantic Languages in Their Multilingual Environment,” chapters
explore complex sociolinguistic ecologies under which the operation of
these languages takes place. A full summary of each part is provided
below to highlight the interconnections among the 32 chapters at the
levels of description, typology, and sociolinguistic environment.
As mentioned before, Part I (Chapters 1-3) contextualises the
genealogical classification of Atlantic languages. The first chapter,
“Language, land, and languaging in the Atlantic space” by Friederike
Lüpke sets the foundation by positioning the Atlantic languages within
their ecological and sociopolitical contexts. The second chapter, “A
genealogical classification of Atlantic languages” by Pozdniakov and
Segerer revisits classificatory debates, critiques simplistic binary
frameworks, and proposes refined subgroup hypotheses based on
lexicostatistics and morphological markers, while “Genetically
motivated clusters within Atlantic” by Childs explores internal
subgroupings based on morphological and phonological evidence rather
than solely lexical data. The first three chapters contribute to a
historical and methodological complexity that informs the rest of the
guide.
Part II (Chaps 4-20) is the main bulk of the guide, since it offers
grammatical profiles of individual languages and clusters like Wolof,
Fula, Balant, Joola, etc. Robert starts with Wolof and offers a broad
grammatical sketch of the region’s most researched Atlantic language.
He treats its phonology, morphology, syntax, and sociolinguistic
usage. Kramer follows with Fula in Chapter 5 and describes the noun
class system, morphophonological alternations, and the status as a
cross-border lingua franca. In Chapter 6, Biagui, Nunez, and Quint
introduce Casamance Creole, where they examine the emergence of a
contact-based variety, morphosyntax, and the multilanguage influence
of a Portuguese-based lexicon. Creissels’ chapter (7) further presents
grammatical features of Mandinka and discusses linguistic roles in
trade networks and historical diffusion in West Africa. Further
chapters (8-20) apply the same logic to other subgroups, such as
Bassari, Joola varieties, Baïnounk lects, Balant, and Sua, etc. The
grammatical profile documentation of these Atlantic languages in these
chapters contributes to making them scholarly accessible, allowing for
cross-comparison, and providing a complement to later typological
surveys.
Building on this empirical foundation, Part III (Chapters 21-25) moves
into providing cross-linguistic typological syntheses. Creissels
(Chapter 21) looks at noun inflection and gender, interpreting the
nominal morphology in class and gender encoding in the entire family
with some family-wide patterns and unique innovations. Cobbinah
(Chapter 22) explores the semantic organisation of noun classes with
regard to semantic motivations of class assignment and stability
across languages. In Chapter 23, Watson further does a survey of
nominalisation strategies, contrasting the derivational processes and
their syntactic consequences, while Voisin (24) analyses valency and
voice, with a focus on how they are affected by morphological
derivations like the applicatives or causatives in different Atlantic
languages. Chapter 25, “Atlantic Consonant Mutation” by McLaughlin is
focused on stem-initial consonantal alternations, one of the
typologically most striking features in several Atlantic languages. It
is worth mentioning that all these chapters draw data directly from
Part II to present structural patterns and variation across the
family.
Part IV (Chapter 26-32) goes beyond grammar and looks at the complex
sociolinguistic ecologies in which these languages exist, including
multilingual settings, language vitality and language attitudes. In
Chapter 26, Knörr treats creolisation in the context of Sierra Leone
with an explanation on the genesis of Sierra Leone–based creoles
resulting from colonial and multilingual pressure. McLaughlin (Chapter
27) surveys uses of Arabic script (Ajami) by Atlantic language
communities, while Storch, Coly & Wade’s (Chapter 28) analysis
investigates ritual or occupational cryptic codes. Chapter 29,
Multilingual Children’s Language Socialization in Central Mali, by
Cissé goes further to describe early language acquisition in
multi-lingual settings, with emphasis on linguistic socialisation
strategies. In Chapter 30, Boutché tracks the spread of Fula language
beyond its genealogical territory and its status as a lingua franca in
Northern Cameroon. Lexander & Alcón (Chapter 31) provide an
ethnographic account of digital literacy practices, code-switching and
emergent orthographies in cyberspace, while the final chapter (32)
authored by Goodchild explores Casamance locals’ perceptions of
language competence amid actual multilingual repertoires.
Collectively, these chapters highlight how Atlantic languages are
embedded in lived, shifting ecologies shaped by literacy, identity,
and media.
Taken together, the chapters are explicitly bound together in a
multi-directional manner, in such a way that the typological chapters
were based on data from the language sketches and the sociolinguistic
chapters make sense only alongside grammatical and historical
insights. This unity enables readers to transcend granular language
structure to macro-level sociocultural phenomena. Throughout the
guide, contributors highlight collaborative, decolonial approaches and
reflexive fieldwork ethics. As a whole, it works as a guide for
theoretical reflection on language contact, typology and
revitalisation efforts in the region.
EVALUATION
Part I
The first part of the guide provides the genealogical framing of
Atlantic languages and problematises the existing classifications. It
succeeds in offering a careful and data-driven overview of internal
subgroupings of Atlantic languages. Therefore, the authors met their
stipulated objective of positioning Atlantic as part of the greater
Niger-Congo family, in addition to making careful descriptions of the
internal subgroupings. This makes it especially valuable for
researchers in need of an authoritative baseline reference. However,
the discussion inherits older classificatory assumptions without
adequately engaging contemporary debates. The guide could benefit from
more integration with the recent computational approaches to
phylogenetic inference or with models of contact linguistics, for
example, Güldemann’s (2018) arguments about Niger-Congo phylogeny.
This would help to consolidate the arguments. However, the clarity of
exposition makes this part highly accessible to any linguists outside
West Africa, filling a gap left by earlier works.
Part II
In part II of the guide, the authors provide high-quality grammatical
sketches of individual Atlantic languages. It consolidates structural
descriptions across dozens of languages, including both widely spoken
and under-described languages. This ensures that the languages are not
seen as isolated systems but rather as entities integrated in
multilingual ecologies. Therefore, it makes the guide reach a level of
comparative detail that no previous guide has achieved. Each chapter
follows the same format, with sections on phonology, morphology,
syntax, and sociolinguistic context. For phonology, the guide excels
in its presentation of consonant mutation and ATR vowel harmony
systems, which are great features of the Atlantic family (Casali,
2024). The treatment of morphology is also equally valuable,
particularly in the in-depth exploration of noun class systems, which
have always been at the center of debates on the history of
Niger-Congo morphology (Miehe & Winkelmann 2007). Notably, the
integration of sociolinguistic insights emphasises the changing nature
of these languages in context.
This part is one of the most remarkable; yet it too is not without
challenges. While some languages benefit from decades of descriptive
scholarship, others receive necessarily preliminary sketches. This
also means that some typological generalisations become susceptible to
schematicity, especially when dealing with poorly documented
languages. This asymmetry is a reflection of the realities in African
linguistics, where descriptive and documentary work is unequally
shared. Another limitation is the relative scarcity of text-based
illustration, and most descriptions focus on grammatical rather than
discourse descriptions. For readers who prefer examples that are
ethnographically grounded, this can feel like a missed opportunity. In
this respect, the chapters could have benefitted from closer
engagement with comparative corpus-based studies, which are now
increasingly available (McEnery & Hardie, 2011). That said, this part
remains the backbone of the guide, as it provides a resource of
unprecedented scope for the Atlantic family. Its comprehensiveness and
clarity makes it indispensable for teaching and comparative research
for specialists and advanced students.
Part III
The third part is perhaps the most innovative, as it moves beyond
structural linguistics to explore the lived realities of Atlantic
languages. It synthesises grammatical data from Part II into broader
typological discussions. The chapters on noun class systems, valency,
serialisation, and tone provide strong comparative analyses grounded
in empirical data. These syntheses validate the methodological design
of the volume, thereby showing how harmonised grammatical templates
allow for typological generalisation. The noun class chapter, for
example, successfully contrasts innovation and retention across
subgroups, while the valency chapter contextualises morphosyntactic
alignment within both language-internal and contact-induced change.
Importantly, the authors ensured that smaller languages are not
relegated to marginal status; their inclusion foregrounds the
diversity of the family and underscores the urgency of documentation
in contexts where endangerment is acute. Therefore, the strengths here
are undeniable! Readers can gain access to primary data that is often
unpublished, and the consistency of presentation enhances usability.
However, there are minor drawbacks. The sketches of the languages vary
in depth and analyses, which is inevitable in edited collections, but
can disrupt coherence. Some sketches, such as those of Wolof and Fula,
are more expansive and theoretically engaged, while those of
endangered languages tend to be more descriptive. This imbalance
reflects broader disparities in documentation; yet it also raises the
question of whether the guide could have provided more methodological
reflection on fieldwork challenges in low-resource settings (Sands,
2017). Moreover, the part could have benefitted from more integration
with current formal or computational models. While rich in descriptive
generalisations, the chapters within it often stop short of engaging
with broader theoretical implications. For example, the serialisation
patterns described in multiple languages could be linked more
explicitly to current discussions in construction grammar or role and
reference grammar (Van Valin, 2023). Despite these limitations, the
part offers a data-rich, accessible, and methodologically transparent
contribution that positions Atlantic languages firmly within global
typological research. It invites further theoretical engagement from
both descriptive and formal perspectives.
Part IV
The last part highlights the sociolinguistic and applied aspects. The
chapters explore language contact, endangerment, multilingual
education, and revitalisation interventions. They rely on ethnographic
and documentary research to provide evidence-based descriptions of
language use, such as the intergenerational transmission and the
community-led revitalisation efforts. For instance, it is important to
note that the analyses of Fulisation in Northern Cameroon offer an
overview of how an Atlantic language can act as both a lingua franca
and a factor of linguistic shift, undermining and subordinating minor
variants of the Atlantic languages (Safotso, 2021). Other chapters
record revitalisation projects in Central Mali, Sierra Leone, and
Senegal, showcasing how community-based initiatives and digital tools
are reshaping the future of endangered languages. These chapters
demonstrate that no Atlantic language can be conceptualised without
reference to the multilingual and postcolonial contexts.
However, there are certain limitations. There is no doubt that the
ethnographic richness is admirable; the treatment of language policy,
however, is somewhat uneven. Stronger engagement with political
economy perspectives could have helped to analyse how state
structures, educational systems, and globalising ideologies constrain
or enable revitalisation (Kamwangamalu, 2016). Besides, this part
sometimes lacks theoretical integration. While the ethnographic data
is strong, the analytical framing could have explicitly engaged more
with sociolinguistic theory (e.g., Blommaert, 2013; Heller, 2011).
Moreover, the links between sociolinguistic and structural features
remain implicit, even though multilingualism clearly affects
morphosyntactic outcomes. A chapter explicitly linking language
contact and structural innovation would have benefitted this part’s
contribution. Still, this part succeeds in widening the scope of the
guide beyond structural linguistics to offer an indispensable
perspective to its use by researchers and policymakers concerned with
language vitality and language planning.
CONCLUSION
This book is a great contribution and addition to African linguistics.
It integrates decades of research and at the same time, it presents
new avenues for inquiry. Its four-part structure makes it a crucial
resource for scholars in many subfields. The guide’s strengths include
its empirical basis, balanced treatment of major and minor languages,
and incorporation of sociolinguistic realities. It becomes a
methodological standard for further documentation and comparison
within and beyond Niger-Congo. More importantly, it decolonises
linguistic practice by foregrounding collaborative, and
speaker-oriented research. It should be a first reference for anyone
working on the Atlantic or the languages of the West African region,
and a catalyst for future theoretical and descriptive work in African
linguistics. Since the shortcomings, in terms of uneven quality of the
sketches and lack of extensive engagement with language ideology and
policy, are outweighed by what the guide has achieved overall, it
offers a model for how research can be both technically strong and
socially responsible. Future research will certainly build upon its
foundations, especially with regards to typological databases,
multilingual ecologies, and revitalisation practices.
REFERENCES
Blommaert, J. (2013). Ethnography, Superdiversity and Linguistic
Landscapes: Chronicles of Complexity. In Critical Language and
Literacy Studies. Multilingual Matters.
https://doi.org/10.21832/9781783090419
Casali, R. F. (2024). Tongue-Root Harmony [ATR]/[RTR]. In H. van der
Hulst & and A.R. Nancy (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Vowel Harmony
(pp. 76–83). https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198826804.013.7
Güldemann, T. (2018). Historical Linguistics and Genealogical Language
classification in Africa. In T. Güldemann (Ed.), The Languages and
Linguistics of Africa (pp. 58–444). De Gruyter Mouton.
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110421668-002
Heller, M. (2011). Paths to Post-Nationalism: A Critical Ethnography
of Language and Identity. Oxford University Press.
https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199746866.001.0001
Kamwangamalu, N. M. (2016). Language Policy and Economics: The
Language Question in Africa. Palgrave Macmillan London.
https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-31623-3
McEnery, T., & Hardie, A. (2011). Corpus Linguistics: Method, Theory
and Practice. Cambridge University Press.
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511981395
Miehe, G., & Winkelmann, K. (2007). Noun Class Systems in Gur
Languages: Southwestern Gur languages (without Gurunsi). Köln: Rüdiger
Köppe.
Safotso, G. T. (2021). Towards a multiple language shift in Cameroon.
English Linguistics Research, 10(4), 22–36.
https://doi.org/10.5430/elr.v10n4p22
Sands, B. (2017). The challenge of documenting Africa’s Least-Known
languages. In J. Kandybowicz & H. Torrence, Africa’s Endangered
Languages: Documentary and Theoretical Approaches (eds). Oxford
Academic. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190256340.003.0002
Van Valin, R. D. (2023). Principles of Role and Reference Grammar. In
D. Bentley, R. Mairal Usón, W. Nakamura, & R. D. Van Valin, Jr (Eds.),
The Cambridge Handbook of Role and Reference Grammar (pp. 17–178).
Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316418086.003
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Baqau Hassan Omotayo (he/him) is a graduate of BRAC University, where
he majored in Applied Linguistics and ELT. His research interests
include sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, corpus linguistics, and
computer-assisted language learning (CALL), with a particular focus on
political and social media discourses as lenses for interrogating
social issues and power relations.



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