The break and bend verbs in Tshivenda

Date
2002-12
Authors
Mukwevho, Mulatedzi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The thesis is organized into five chapters: the first chapter deals with the aims of the study, the theoretical framework that has been assumed in this study as well as the organisation of the thesis. The second chapter gives an overview of the assumptions of lexical semantics with specific reference to the Generative Lexicon. Chapter 3 is concerned with the break verbs while chapter 4 deals with the bend verbs in Tshivenda. Chapter 5 gives the conclusions of the study. With regard to the break verbs in Tshivenda: these verbs have been classified into seven subgroups with regard to specific semantic features. Syntactically, the break verbs in Tshivenda are mainly transitive verbs while a large group have a transitive-intransitive alternation with the suffixes [-I-/-w-]. The break verbs may also regularly appear with the iterative suffixes [Vkan- Nkany-]. Most of the break verbs also regularly appear in two other alternations i.e. the possession alternation and the instrument-subject alternation. The bend verbs in Tshivenda are organized into five subgroups with regard to their semantic features. All bend verbs in Tshivenda are transitive verbs, but it has been shown that these verbs are in reality ergative verbs which assign two internal theta-roles. These verbs also regularly appear in the possession alternation and the instrument-subject alternation. Both the break and bend verbs have furthermore been treated within the main components of the Generative lexicon, i.e. argument structure, event structure, lexical conceptual paradigm and lexical inheritance structure.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verhandeling is verdeel in vyf hoofstukke: die eerste hoofstuk handeloor die doelstellings van die studie, die teoretiese raamwerk wat aanvaar is as uitgangspunt vir hierdie studie asook die organisasie van die verhandeling. Die tweede hoofstuk gee 'n oorsig oor die aannames van die leksikale semantiek met spesiale verwysing na die Generatiewe leksikon. Hoofstuk drie bestudeer die breek werkwoorde terwyl hoofstuk vier handeloor die buigwerkwoorde in Tshivenda. Hoofstuk vyf gee die konklusies van die studie. Met betrekking tot die breek werkwoorde in Tshivenda: hierdie werkwoorde is geklassifiseer in sewe subgroepe met verwysing na spesifieke semantiese kenmerke. Sintakties is die breek werkwoorde in Tshivenda grotendeels transitiewe werkwoorde terwyl 'n groot groep deelneem aan 'n transitieweintransitiewe alternasie met die suffikse [-I-/-w-]. Die breek werkwoorde kan verder ook reëlmatig voorkom met die iteratiewe suffikse (Vkan-Nkany-]. Meeste van die breek werkwoorde verskyn ook reëlmatig in twee ander alternasies nl. die possessiewe alternasie en die instrument-subjek alternasie. Die buig werkwoorde in Tshivenda is verdeel in vyf subgroepe na aanleiding van hulle semantiese kenmerke. Alle buig werkwoorde in Tshivenda is transitiewe werkwoorde maar dit is aangetoon dat hierdie werkwoorde in werklikheid ergatiewe werkwoorde is wat twee interne theta-rolle toeken. Hierdie werkwoorde kom ook reëlmatig voor in die possessief alternasie en die instrument-subjek alternasie. Beide die breek en buig werkwoorde is verder behandel binne die hoofkomponente van die Generatiewe leksikon, nl. Argument struktuur, gebeurtenis struktuur, leksikaal konseptueie paradigma en leksikaal erfenis struktuur.
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Keywords
Venda language -- Verb, Grammar, Comparative and general -- Verb, Dissertations -- Venda language
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