The compromised tense-aspect distinction in bantu languages: the case of Nyakyusa
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Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Current Research in the Humanities (IJCRH)
Abstract
This article examined the compromised tense-aspect distinction in Bantu
languages, using Nyakyusa as a case study. The review of scholarly works
indicates that, in Bantu languages, the changing nature of tense-aspect
systems remains to be the source of the problem for tense-aspect
distinction. The paper investigates the source of the problem and a way in
which Nyakyusa can describe tense-aspect distinction. The study was
conducted in Kyela District in Mbeya Region where many native speakers
live. Data were collected through narrative stories, interviews and written
texts. The findings reveal that although the -ile suffix is the source of the
compromised tense-aspect distinction as it assumes different roles; it
remains a good candidate for testing tense-aspect distinction. When the -
ile suffix co-occurs with the pre-root formative, -a- it marks the past tense
whereas the suffix -ile occurring alone marks aspect categories. Also,
when the negative marker -ka- is introduced the -ile suffix disappears for
aspect and remains for tense.
Description
Research article
Keywords
Compromised tense-aspect distinction, Bantu languages, Nyakyusa, Morphology
Citation
https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijcrh.v27i1.18