The polysemy of motion verbs in Xitsonga

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This study explores selected motion verbs in Xitsonga within the framework of lexicalsementics postulated by Pustejovsky (1995). This study examines the polysemy of therespective selected motion verbs in sentences with various noun subject types in Xitsonga.The motion verbs examined are: -~ (go), -@_ (come), -famba (go away), -baleka (runaway), -kasa (crawl), -khandziya (climb up) and -gonya (ascend). Syntactically, theseverbs occur in example sentences as evidenced below:The subject NP is [human] Sipho u ya ekaya hi milenge.Sipho is going home on foot.The subject NP is [inanimate] Tafuia ri tile exikolweni hi movha.The table is delivered at school by car.The subject NP is [weather noun] : Mpfula yi fambile etikweni.The rain has stopped in the country.Nkwangulatilo wu khandziya entshaveni.Rainbow climbs up to the mountain.Moya wo kasa.The wind is blowing slowly.The subject NP is [concrete noun]: Vuswa byi fambile emasin'wini.Food is carried to the field.Mugayo wu gonyile emakete.Maize meal is expensive in the market.The subject NP is [abstract noun] : Rivengo ri fambile eka vanhu.Hatred has ended from people. The subject NP is [natural phenomenon]Dyambu ri balekile emapapeni.The sun is very hot in the sky.The study explores the selected motion verbs and establishes the specific properties ofselection restrictions, assignment of arguments as well as the event structure or sentenceswith the motion verbs.Lastly, the lexical conceptual paradigm is examined in order to determine the differentsenses or meanings of the motion verbs.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University