The morpho-syntax of relative clauses in Shambala

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Date
2018
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The primary goal of this thesis is to describe and analyse relative clause constructions in Shambala. This thesis presents an account of the salient and linguistic properties of the relative clauses with a particular focus on the strategies which are employed in the formation of relative clause constructions. Shambala, just like other Bantu languages, employs different mechanisms in forming relative clauses. The data collected quest to see whether Shambala behaves in the same manner as other Bantu languages or these is a unique strategy in that language. The data for the study was in form of two hundred, eighty three relative clause constructions which were extracted from oral, written and audio-visual sources. The results revealed that morphological relative clause markers are the sole technique that is employed in the formation of relative constructions in Shambala. The common relative clause markers identified are –o, e-, and ndi-. The study also established that the distributions of these relative markers are triggered by the tense/aspect variations. This means that, in Shambala, every relative constructions in Shambala. The common relative markers occurs in different environments. One of the more significant findings to emerge from this study is that Shambala relative clauses are tense sensitive. Tense distinctions in relative clauses lead to different positioning of relative markers. In unmarked relative constructions, different relative markers represent different tenses. A relative marker –o occurs at the post verbal position after the tensed –iye or –a and it is related to clauses which indicate past tense. The relativization of the relative marker e- occurs before the verb stem and after the subject/agreement marker and it denotes the present tense. The relative marker ndi- occurs with relative clauses in future tense. However, in marked relative constructions, ndi- relative constructions may refer to other tenses. In this study other research areas are proposed. Firstly, the phonological phrasing in relative clauses is an area of research which can be done in Shambala relative clauses. Secondary, the tense/aspect sensitivity deserves a special attention in a Shambala relative clause. Secondly, the tense/aspect sensitivity deserves a special attension in Shambala relative clauses.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, (THS EAF P290.T34K366)
Keywords
Morphosyntax, Relative clauses, Grammar, Comparative and general, shambala, Tanzania
Citation
Kaoneka, S. (2018). The morpho-syntax of relative clauses in Shambala, Doctorate dissertation. University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam
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