Relative clauses in Sesotho
Loading...
Date
1996-12
Authors
Leepile, Matsuane Florence
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
This dissertation has attempted to give an exposition of the structure of relative clauses
in Sesotho. Firstly, we realized that the process of relativization displays the recursive
nature of the Sesotho language wherein one sentence is embedded as a subordinate
clause of another and by so doing an infinite number of clauses can then be
implemented to qualify a Noun Phrase.
In the introduction I made it very clear that I will restrict myself to the view that in
relative clauses a WH-word is moved from an argument position to Comp. I have
demonstrated that Sesotho data does support this view. Where Sesotho data poses
a bit of a problem is in the cases where traces are substituted by resumptive pronouns.
I have not attempted to address theoretical problems presented by this because my aim
is to demonstrate my understanding of the theory which I was taught in the Coursework
lectures and to show that I can do research. I believe that I have achieved that
which I had set to do within the scope of this dissertation. I have also not tried to argue
against the view that critics such as the reflexives and the object clitics are not
anaphoric pronominals or non-anaphoric pronominals respectively. This is the view
which I was taught during the lectures. It is supported by the relevant literature. I
believe that it is possible that future work on these aspects might even prove this view
untenable.
In conclusion I have observed that what the traditional grammarians, Cole (1955) and
Doke and Mofokeng (1957) regard as the relative clauses of direct relationship and
indirect relationship involve movement of WH constituent from the argument position
to Comp. An empty category is also created in the subject or whatever argument
position when such movement takes place. Such an empty category always requires
a proper governor to govern it.
I have also observed that sometimes when 1fil19 is used in the relative clause of indirect
relationship, resumptive pronoun does not need to appear. Finally, I have noticed that
when a compound tense is involved in a relative construction, it is the grammatical and
not the lexical verb which seem to attract the relative suffix -ng. This is also in line with
the C-command principle.
Description
Keywords
Sesotho language, Clauses in Sesotho, Sotho language -- Pronounciation, Noun phrase, Dissertation (M.A. (African Languages))--University of the Free State (South Campus), 1996