Verb species relationships of some Nyanja ideophones

Abstract

Summary In a sample of 1 260 Nyanja ideophones, 745 of which are related, and 515 unrelated to verbs, there is a statistically significant difference in distribution between those ending in ‐u and those ending in the other vowels. Without attempting to discover the specific causes for the prevalence of that particular vowel, it is suggested that, since the distribution of the terminal vowels of the ideophones is not random, and therefore must be meaningful, the terminal vowels may operate as determinants in the relationship to verbs. Examination of the related verbs confirms this: the terminal vowel of the ideophone is almost invariably the initial element of a species sign in the verb. Differences in the pattern of the relationship to verbs between monosyllabic and polysyllabic ideophones are explained by the construction of an hypothetical model suggesting that the disyllabic verb stem results from the combination of monosyllabic ideophone and species sign, and that polysyllabic ideophones derive from abridgement of the extensions of the stem incorporating further species signs. The occurrence of consonants other than those of acknowledged species signs as the second consonants of disyllabic verb stems is examined with reference to Ur‐Bantu. The model is shown to hold good for 707 of the 745 verb‐related ideophones. Whether a similar process has occurred in other Bantu languages is briefly discussed, reference being made to Shona and Zulu, both of which present major differences from Nyanja in ideophone pattern.