Abstract

The conjunctive and disjunctive forms in Xitsonga are examined with the purpose of presenting the distribution of these forms. While verbs in the conjunctive form are followed by some elements, the disjunctive is used when no element follows a verb. Xitsonga follows these basic patterns observed in other Bantu languages, but previous theories cannot explain all the occurrences of the distinction between the conjunctive/disjunctive forms. In previous work, three major approaches have been proposed: the constituency approach, the focus-based approach and the information packaging approach. Xitsonga shows support as well as counter evidence for all these approaches. This paper will also reexamine the claim that the presence of conjunctive/disjunctive distinctions only exists in the present tense. Following Creissels (2014), we report that the conjunctive/disjunctive dichotomy is present in other tenses as well when prosodic patterns such as penultimate lengthening are further examined.

Highlights

  • The goal of this paper is to present a comprehensive picture of disjunctive and conjunctive forms in Xitsonga main clauses, which are an under-investigated phenomenon in Xitsonga

  • In Xitsonga, the dj form appears with these adverbs as well, which requires some updates to the information packaging approach

  • The distribution of the cj form and the dj form in Xitsonga mostly follows patterns described in work on other Southern Bantu languages: the constituency approach, the focus-based approaches, and the information packaging approach

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Summary

Introduction

The goal of this paper is to present a comprehensive picture of disjunctive and conjunctive forms in Xitsonga main clauses, which are an under-investigated phenomenon in Xitsonga. The disjunctive and conjunctive forms have been referred to by various names, as in (1). Examples of conjunctive and disjunctive forms in Xitsonga, isiZulu, Siswati, and Setswana are shown in (2). In Xitsonga, the distinction between the disjunctive (dj) and conjunctive (cj) forms appears in the present positive. Recent work on Setswana (Creissels 2014) argues that tonal distinctions are maintained in other tenses that are not present positive. (3) Conjunctive vs disjunctive forms in Xitsonga personal pronouns a. Drawing on Setswana, Creissels (1996) and subsequently Güldemann (2003) argue that the distribution of cj vs dj forms is best to be analysed as a focus-driven phenomenon.

The constituency-based approach
Data in support of the constituency-based approach
Potentially problematic data for the constituency-based approach
Summary
Two hypotheses
In support of the Postverbal Term Focus hypothesis
Potential problems for the Postverbal Term Focus hypothesis
In support of the Verb Focus hypothesis
A potential problem for the Verb Focus hypothesis
Information packaging
In support of the information packaging approach
A potential problem for the information packaging approach
Perfect and past
Future
Present negative
Conclusion
Full Text
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