Subcategorization properties of Tswana verbs

Abstract

In this dissertation I discuss subcategorization properties of Tswana verbs. I give specific attention to various types of complements which follow a basic verb in a sentence. In short, I analyze the verb-object asymmetrical in a typical Tswana sentence, i.e. a subject-verb-object sentence. In Chapter 1 I introduce my topic in terms of the aim and theoretical assumptions embraced in this thesis. I intend to prove that verbs differ according to their complements. In the same chapter I allude to the fact that verbal extensions can be added within a verbal-structure to change its argument-structure. The Government and Binding Theory is my yardstick. In Chapter 2 give special attention to the morphology of basic verbs, i.e. by unpacking the structure of each verb it will be demonstrated that some morphemes within the verb structure have a syntactic significance. I illustrate my point by employing all types of verbal extensions in Tswana. In Chapter 3 I deal specifically with the different types of Tswana verbs namely the transitives, intransitives and ditransitives. In Chapter 4 I discuss sentential complementation as well as auxiliary verbs as a peculiar type of verbal heads. Copulatives are also given attention.