Étude sur la phonétique historique du bantou (Study on the Historical Phonetics of Bantu) by Lilias Homburger (1913)

Published in Paris in 1913, Étude sur la phonétique historique du bantou (Study on the Historical Phonetics of Bantu) by Lilias Homburger (1880–1969) is a foundational text in African linguistics.

Pioneering Female Africanist: Lilias Homburger was one of the very few women working in European academia during the early 20th century to achieve international standing as an authority on African languages. She studied under the eminent French linguist Antoine Meillet and went on to serve as directeur d'études at the École Pratique des Hautes Études in Paris.

Milestone in Comparative Bantu Linguistics: This 1913 work represents one of the earliest comprehensive attempts in the Francophone academic world to apply the rigorous comparative-historical method—pioneered in Indo-European studies—systematically to sound shifts and phonetic structures across the Bantu language family.

Academic Mentor to Léopold Sédar Senghor: During her long tenure in Paris, Homburger taught African linguistics to several influential figures, most notably Léopold Sédar Senghor—the renowned poet, cultural theorist of the Négritude movement, and the first president of Senegal.

Early 20th-Century Imprint: Published as part of the prestige series Bibliothèque de l'École des Hautes Études by the historic Parisian house Librairie Ancienne Honoré Champion, it captures a pivotal era when African language studies were transitioning from missionary fieldwork into formal European university disciplines.

165mm x 255mm x 23mm

Distressed copy; tape on both wrappers; Disbound. No collation available, it appears to be complete; but sold as is, with all faults.

R2,000