The Compromised Tense-Aspect Distinction in Bantu Languages: The Case of Nyakyusa

Abstract

This article examined the compromised tense-aspect distinction in Bantu languages, using Nyakyusa as a case study. The review of scholarly works indicates that, in Bantu languages, the changing nature of tense-aspect systems remains to be the source of the problem for tense-aspect distinction. The paper investigates the source of the problem and a way in which Nyakyusa can describe tense-aspect distinction. The study was conducted in Kyela District in Mbeya Region where many native speakers live. Data were collected through narrative stories, interviews and written texts. The findings reveal that although the -ile suffix is the source of the compromised tense- aspect distinction as it assumes different roles; it remains a good candidate for testing tense-aspect distinction. When the - ile suffix co- occurs with the pre-root formative, -a- it marks the past tense whereas the suffix -ile occurring alone marks aspect categories. Also, when the negative marker -ka- is introduced the -ile suffix disappears for aspect and remains for tense.