This study is informed by the observations and revelations that Bemba compound nouns do alter the meaning of words. At the centre of generating meanings of compound nouns in Bemba is a critical analysis into the grammar of Bemba compound nouns with regard to their morphology, syntax and semantics. The study lends itself to the contention by Kula (2009) that the combined nominal roots show properties of compounds with respect to the head controlling agreement and with respect to prosodic requirements on the head to end in a high tone. According to Guthrie (1969), Bemba, coded (M42), is a Bantu language mainly spoken in the Northern part of Zambia. Bemba compound nouns present an interesting area of Bantu linguistics in the manner the compounds behave with regard to their grammar.
Dr. Kangwa N.K. is a lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University in Zambia. They are in the department of Literature and Langauges where they have been lecturing for more than ten years.
Table of Contents
1.0 Abstract
1.1 Overview
1.2 Background to the Bemba People and their Language
1.2.1 The Bemba People
1.2.2 The Bemba Language
1.3 Typology of Language
1.4 The Classification of African Languages
1.5 Compounding as a Word Formation Process
1.6 The Syntax of Bemba Compound Nouns
1.6.1 Overview
1.6.2 Syntactical Structure of Bemba Compound Nouns
1.6.3 Some Phrase Structure Rules of Noun Compounds
1.7 Phrase Structure Rules
1.8 Summary of Syntactic Analysis
1.9 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This study aims to investigate the grammatical properties of Bemba compound nouns by applying X-bar theory, Government and Binding theory, and Transformational Generative Grammar. The research seeks to understand how different parts of speech combine to form complex structures and how these combinations affect the meaning, morphology, and syntax of the Bemba language.
- Grammatical classification and structure of Bemba compound nouns.
- Application of syntactic theories to Bantu language morphology.
- Analysis of word formation processes through combining parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.).
- Identification of phrase structure rules governing Bemba compounding.
- Sociolinguistic and context-dependent interpretation of compound nouns.
Excerpt from the Book
1.6.2 Syntactical Structure of Bemba Compound Nouns
A compound structure is made up of parts of speech joined together in forming the compound. In comparison to the syntactic analysis of NPs, the x-bar analysis of compound nouns was conducted on eight (8) identified groups from the data collected. The following discussions illustrate the manner in which compound nouns are formed in Bemba from different parts of speech using x-bar theory in the analysis of compound nouns as proposed by Katamba (1993) who used the theory to analyse compound nouns in English.
From the data, some compound nouns have a structure which involves a noun plus another noun on the one hand and on the other a noun plus a genitive pronoun and a noun as exemplified below:
a) Noun + noun
The second noun here functions as a modifier of the subject as in example below:
N[sg] N[pl]
N(sg) N(sg) N(pl) N(sg)
ntamba lu-kuta ba-ntamba lukuta
‘one who watches’ ‘group of people’
Summary of Chapters
1.0 Abstract: Provides an overview of the grammatical, morphological, and syntactic analysis of Bemba compound nouns, highlighting their unique tonal and semantic properties.
1.1 Overview: Outlines the research aims, the methodologies used, and the findings regarding how nouns combine with various parts of speech to obscuring individual meanings.
1.2 Background to the Bemba People and their Language: Describes the cultural, agricultural, and linguistic landscape of the Bemba people in Zambia, contextualizing the language usage.
1.3 Typology of Language: Explores the classification of Bemba as an agglutinative language, detailing how morphemes are added to roots to form words.
1.4 The Classification of African Languages: Traces the genealogical position of Bemba within the Congo-Kordofanian family, specifically the Benue-Congo branch.
1.5 Compounding as a Word Formation Process: Defines compounding as a morphological operation that combines lexemes to form new, often anomalous, grammatical constructions.
1.6 The Syntax of Bemba Compound Nouns: Presents specific data and X-bar analyses regarding how parts of speech are combined within the syntax of Bemba nominal compounds.
1.7 Phrase Structure Rules: Identifies and categorizes seven distinct phrase structure rules found within the data, demonstrating the hierarchical nature of Bemba compounding.
1.8 Summary of Syntactic Analysis: Aggregates the findings, noting that Noun+Noun combinations represent the most frequent class in synthesizing new compound words in Bemba.
1.9 Conclusion: Summarizes the linguistic significance of compound nouns in Bemba, noting their role in vocabulary expansion and cultural utility as names.
Keywords
Bemba, Compound Nouns, Syntax, Morphology, Agglutinative Language, X-bar Theory, Word Formation, Lexemes, Bantu Languages, Nominal Roots, Phrase Structure Rules, Linguistic Typology, Semantics, Zambia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this study?
The study investigates the grammar, morphology, syntax, and semantic properties of compound nouns in the Bemba language.
What is the central research question?
The research explores the grammatical rules and structures governing how different parts of speech combine to form Bemba compound nouns.
Which theoretical frameworks are applied?
The authors utilize Transformational Generative Grammar, Government and Binding theory, and specifically the X-bar theory for structural analysis.
How is the data collected and analyzed?
The study uses a qualitative approach, analyzing data from the Bemba language corpus to demonstrate how various components form compound structures.
What are the main findings regarding Bemba word formation?
The research reveals that Bemba is an agglutinative language where compounding is a major source of new word formation, identifying Noun+Noun combinations as the leading formation class.
What role do compound nouns play in Bemba culture?
Compound nouns in Bemba serve as more than just vocabulary; they are frequently used as praise names, proper names, and kinship designations.
How does the formation of "mbulakulima" illustrate the study's findings?
It exemplifies how the stabilization of phrases through the dropping of segments and prefix additions creates a complex nominal compound meaning 'a loafer'.
Do Bemba compound nouns follow English syntax rules?
No, the study emphasizes that Bemba follows its own structure, often involving left-headed endocentric compounds that do not necessarily mirror English word-order patterns.
What is the significance of the "chanda" example?
It demonstrates how proper nouns can function as subjects in compound constructions to describe specific phenomena, such as 'water weeds'.
- Quote paper
- Kennedy Kangwa (Author), Reuben Chupa Chulu (Author), 2022, The Grammar of Compound Nouns in Bemba, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1242944
