Noun derivation in Kihangaza

Abstract

Nouns in Bantu languages are either un-derived or derived. In most Bantu languages the derived ones include de-nominal nouns, de-adjective nouns, de-verbal nouns and nouns originating from numerals. This study sought to investigate the semantic implications associated with de-verbal nouns in Kihangaza on morpho-semantic and pragmatic basis. The study is descriptive in nature and is based on theoretical assumptions drawn from The Basic Linguistic Theory. The sample of this study consisted of three native speakers of Kihangaza who were selected deliberately. The data for the study were collected through interviews and documentary reviews. The analysis of data involved the use of morphological parsing, coding, classification and descriptive statements.The findings indicate that Kihangaza attests nine types of de-verbal nouns basing on morpho-semantic criterion, namely agentive nouns, state nouns, result nouns, instrumental nouns, patient nouns, manner nouns, experiencer nouns, action nouns and locative nouns. The findings also show that the formation of these nouns is accounted for by two morphological processes: multiple affixation and prefixation. It has been found that in Kihangaza, agentive nouns, result nouns, state nouns, and experiencer nouns are formed either through multiple affixation or prefixation. This study has also revealed that instrumental nouns, manner nouns, action nouns, and locative nouns are formed by multiple affixations alone, while patient nouns are the only type of de-verbal nouns in Kihangaza that are formed through prefixation. The findings further show that apart from having predictable meaning, each type of de-verbal noun in Kihangaza has a cluster of unpredictable meanings which cannot be captured from the meanings of their constituent parts, but on basis of linguistic context and general knowledge. This study considering the facts that de-verbal nouns, one of the derivational outputs of the language under investigation are formed through multiple affixation and prefixation as well as have meanings that are not necessarily predictable by the meanings of their constituent parts, but linguistic context and native speakers’ general knowledge, concludes that Kihangaza exhibit typical Bantu characteristics. For further research, this study recommends that those who are interested in exploring the richness of Kihangaza to investigate not only the ways in which de-adjective nouns, diminutive nouns, augmentative nouns, and locative nouns are formed but also their associated semantic implications.