Chadic extensions and pre-dative verb forms in Hausa

Abstract

Two derivational extensions are reconstructed for Proto-Chadic: a Distant extension *(a)wa, which places the action of a verb at some distance from or in the direction of the speaker, and a Destinative extension * in, which relates the action to a person as its destination, beneficiary, or otherwise affected party. These extensions are illustrated by descriptions of the form and function of their reflexes in present-day Chadic languages belonging to two of the major branches of the family (West and Bill-Mandara). Hausa, which retains the Distant extension in the grade 6 form of the verb, appears to have lost the Destinative. It is argued, however, that a reflex of the Destinative can be identified in Hausa, although it no longer functions as a derivational extension. This is the unusual pre-dative form with final -r/-m of grade 2, 3, and 7 verbs. The interpretation of this pre-dative form as a Destinative is offered as a counterproposal to Parsons' analysis of this form as a "borrowed" grade 5.