Word categorization in runyambo: a case of adjectives and adverbs
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Date
2018
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University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study examined adjectives and adverbs in Runyambo. The previous works on Runyambo (e.g. Rugemalira 2005; Mpobela 2012) did not give a detailed analysis of these two word categories. Corpus collection as the principal data collection technique was complemented by other techniques including questionnaire, data manipulation and text extraction. Informants were purposely selected from the native speakers of Runyambo. Then adjectives and adverbs were gathered. This study employed a prototype theory of word categorization in which lexical items are classified on the basis of how close they are to the prototype features of a category (Taylor 1995). Applying the prototype theory, the hierarchy of word category members is presented in each of the two categories ranging from the most to the least prototype members. This study employed three criteria of word categorization including semantic, morphological and syntactic. Both behavioural and structural markedness are discussed in case an item is less prototypical. It is argued in this study that adjectives and adverbs form closed independent word categories each possessing unique semantic, morphological and syntactic features. The semantic criteria acted as a centre of discussion and as argued by Croft (1991), any item deviating from the semantic prototype needs some additional morphemes and distribution hence morphological and syntactic criteria. The study concluded that adjectives and adverbs form heterogeneous categories in Runyambo with members classified into several subtypes. It is recommended that researches be done on adjectives and adverbs in other languages. Also it is recommended that research is needed on other less studied word categories including demonstratives and prepositions in Runyambo.
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Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF PL8025.T34M623)
Keywords
Language and languages, Runyambo Karagwe, Tanzania ( African people), Runyambo language, Bantu speaking people, Pumice industry, Lexical phonology, Adjectives
Citation
Mpobela, L (2018) Word categorization in runyambo: a case of adjectives and adverbs.Doctoral dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.