On the Typology of Directional Verbs in Bantu

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Richard Gaines

Abstract

This paper investigates data from ten Bantu languages in terms of Talmy's typological framework, which distinguishes V- and S-languages. The former conflate the semantic notions [Motion] (e.g., go) and [Direction] (e.g., up) in verbs; the latter express these notions with distinct syntactic units. Also investigated are complex motion events involving [Manner] (e.g., run), with V-languages expressing [Manner] distinct from verbs, while S-languages conflate [Motion+Manner]. The study shows that Bantu languages employ a V-language strategy conflating [Motion+Direction] with [Manner] commonly expressed in a separate subordinate clause.

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