Ucwaningo lwesimantikhi yelekhizikhoni yesenzo u-phuma esizulwini

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The main concern of this thesis relates to an investigation of the lexical-semantic nature of themotion verb –phuma (exit, go out) in isiZulu within the framework of Generative LexiconTheory. In particular, the thesis explores the event structure and aspectual verb classproperties in the locative-subject alternation with the verb –phuma in isiZulu.Chapter one presents a general introduction to the study, stating the purpose and aims of theresearch, giving a broad perspective of the theoretical framework adopted, and outlining theorganisation of the investigation of the lexical-semantic properties of –phuma.Chapter two presents a detailed discussion of Generative Lexicon Theory, which centrallyconcerns accounting for polysemy phenomena across various nominal and verbal expressions.The four dimensions of lexical-semantic representation that constitute the central theoreticalproperties in Generative Lexicon Theory are reviewed, i.e. Argument structure, Eventstructure, Qualia structure and Lexical Inheritance structure. In addition, the various facets ofmeaning of Qualia structure namely Fomral, Constitutive, Telic and Agentive facets, aredescribed in relation to their theoretical significance in accounting for word meaning andpolysemy.Chapter three examines in a systematic and comprehensive way the range of locative-subjectalternation possibilities with the verb –phuma. In particular the range of semantic types of theNP subject argument of –phuma taking a locative complement is explored to determinewhether all these sentences permit a corresponding locative-alternation construction. Inaddition, the aspectual verb class properties of the two variants in the alternation are analysedwith regard to a range of diagnositics associated with stative events, activity events,achievement events and accomplishments events. It is known that the two variants in thealternation can be distinguished in terms of their aspectual verb class properties.Chapter four summarises the main findings of the study and presents the conclusion.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University