A comparison between applicative and non-applicative distransitive verbs in Xhosa

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The main aim of this study is to compare the grammaticalrelationship between the applicative and non-applicativeditransitive verbs in Xhosa and to establish whether they aretreated similarly or differently either syntactically orsemantically.In Chapter I a comparison of the views of various linguists onthe grammatical nature of the object NPs in African languages istaken into consideration.In Chapter II various arguments are tendered to show the aims ofthis work. The issues like the predicate argumei·t structure,types of objects, interpretation of theta-roles are dealt with.Three types of verbs, i.e. the concrete, the motion and theabstract verbs are put through the same tests so that theirdifferences may be seen . These tests are the criteria of wordorder, cliticization and passivization.In Chapter III the principles of Government and Binding theory,i.e. the X - bar theory, government theory, theta-theory and thecase theory are invoked to determine the status of the postverbalNPs.Chapter IV deals with the summary of the whole study and itsconclusions.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University