Sesotho compounding
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Date
2020-11
Authors
Mokoaleli, Maseanakoena Amina
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
This study explores the formation of Sesotho compounds from descriptive and theoretical perspectives. Attention is specifically given to the compounds’ combinatorial patterns, morphological structure, number, agreement, headedness and properties which distinguish compounds from similar constructions. Compounding has featured quite extensively in the linguistic literature and it is a highly controversial phenomena in terms of whether compounds are morphological or syntactic constructions. Descriptively, this study reveals that Sesotho compounds are morphological constructions which morphosyntactically behave like simple nouns. This, therefore leads to the conclusion that Sesotho compounds are different from similar syntactic constructions, being phrases. The difference between the two is explained within the Lexical Integrity Principle. Theoretically, Sesotho compound data is accounted for within the Optimality Theoretic framework in which specific constraints set forth necessary conditions for constructions which qualify as compound nouns in Sesotho. This happens following ranking of constraints in strict hierarchy of domination. The shortcoming of standard Optimality Theory to account for Sesotho compound data following the ranking of constraints in strict hierarchy of domination is complemented by manipulation of Cophonology which allows re-ranking of constraints to account for variations in the data. The data for this study was collected from participants at the National University of Lesotho and traditional doctors in Maseru through one on one interviews in which Sesotho nouns were elicited in order to collect compounds. The primary data from the participants was complemented with secondary data. A variety of Sesotho materials were consulted to collect Sesotho compounds. Such materials included books, theses, dictionaries amongst others.
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Keywords
Dissertation (M.A. (Linguistics and Language Practice))--University of the Free State, 2020, Sesotho compounds, Morphological constructions, Syntactic constructions, Morphosyntactical constructions