Historical evolution of -ile suffix across bantu languages
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Date
2021
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study investigated the historical evolution of -ile suffix across four selected
Bantu languages forming the Nyasa-Tanganyika corridor. Historically, the -ile
suffix, as a traditional aspect marker across Bantu languages, is constantly evolving
such that it is amenable to different roles, on the one hand, and the suffix induces
phonological changes under varying conditions, on the other hand. This poses a
challenge in specifying its phonological and morphological properties unless close
attention is paid to an individual language. In this regard, the study sought to attain
three objectives which are, first, to describe phonological changes associated with -
ile across the selected languages. Second, to examine the morphological properties
of -ile in relation to tense and aspect marking and lastly, to identify other inflectional
morphemes that work in conjunction with -ile suffix across the selected languages
forming the Nyasa-Tanganyika corridor.
This study is guided by three interdependent theories, namely the Theory of
Utterance Selection (TUS), the Reichenbach‟s linear theory and Cognitive theory.
The study was conducted in Kyela and Mbeya Rural Council (Mbeya region), Mbozi
and Ileje (for Songwe region). Data were collected through the wordlist/sentence
list, available written texts, narrative stories and interviews.
The findings support the view that -ile suffix is phonologically and morphologically
evolving. The evolution of the suffix is shown by some commonalities and
variations regarding the morphophonological patterns involving -ile suffix across the
languages under study. Variations indicate differences in the pace of innovations
within and across languages under study where some patterns involving -ile
processes are more advanced than others. However, the judgement about which
language is the most innovative or conservative to change one has to rely on
individual dimensions. All in all, the findings indicate that -ile suffix does not only
mark tense and aspect but also it extends its functions, as it is involved in other
situations such as greetings, compliment making and thanksgiving.
Further study is recommended on the extent to which the phonological and
morphological changes illuminate change in language genetic relationship among
languages forming the Nyasa-Tanganyika corridor.
Description
Keywords
Historical evolution, -ile suffix, Tense, Aspect, Nyasa-Tanganyika corridor