This thesis aims at filling a gap in the typological analysis of Niger-Congo noun classes and initiate the creation of a framework applicable for every Niger-Congo noun class system. It answers the...Show moreThis thesis aims at filling a gap in the typological analysis of Niger-Congo noun classes and initiate the creation of a framework applicable for every Niger-Congo noun class system. It answers the research question "What are the criteria and challenges to creating a typological framework for Niger-Congo noun classes ?" Based on existing literature, this thesis reviewed the definitions of noun classes and existing frameworks in most of Niger-Congo language families. It also identifies the challenges specific to this type of project and develops an approach to overcome the difficulties by using the resources of technology, typically Excel, to build a database, sufficiently general to take into account all Niger-Congo noun class systems and flexible enough to adapt to all specificities. Such a framework also aims at creating a database in order to create statistical analysis.Show less
