Correlation between Verb Extensions and Object Marking in Kiswahili: Patterns and Implications for Argument Structure

Abstract

This study investigates the intricate nexus between verb extensions and object marking in Kiswahili, with particular emphasis on morphological and syntactic patterns and their implications for argument structure. Data were collected through documentary review from Kivuli Kinaishi (Mohamed, 1990), Nagona (Kezilahabi, 1990), and Mzingile (Kezilahabi, 1991). The data were analysed using the mapping principle of Lexical Mapping Theory as proposed by Falk (2001). This principle accounts for the alternation or retention of object marking in relation to verb extensions. The findings reveal two major patterns in the interaction between verb extensions and object marking in Kiswahili. First, some single, pairwise, and triplewise verb extensions suppress object marking. Single verb extensions that suppress object marking include the stative, reciprocal, and passive. Pairwise extensions include applicative + passive, applicative + reciprocal, causative + passive, causative + reciprocal, reversive + stative, and stative + reciprocal. Triplewise extensions that suppress object marking include applicative + causative + passive, reciprocal + stative + applicative, and reciprocal + applicative + passive. Second, some single, pairwise, and triplewise verb extensions retain and, in some cases, require object marking in Kiswahili. These include the single verb extensions applicative, causative, and reversive, as well as pairwise extensions such as applicative + causative and reversive + applicative. Among triplewise extensions, only the reversive + applicative + causative pattern was found to retain object marking. These phenomena occur across single, pairwise, and triplewise extensions but differ with respect to the types of derivational suffixes involved and the nature of their combinations. The study is delimited to syntactic (productive) verb extensions. Future research may focus on lexical (non-productive) or non-voice verb extensions and their interaction with object marking in Kiswahili and other Bantu languages.