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- Language Family: Other Benue-Congo
- Topic #1: Semantics
- Topic #2: Syntax
Igbo na + participle: a semantic examination
‘Na + participle’ is generally upheld as the structure that motivates the progressive aspect. This paper shares the same view. However, it considers the semantic projections of the structure signaled by the constituent verb form and suggests that the structure expresses the progressive and habitual aspect simultaneously. The paper regards this as the nebulous character of the structure, which is neutralized by the selection of a time expression. The time expression properly situates the progressive aspect. No expression is observed to properly situate the habitual aspect. Furthermore, the paper points out that there are verbs, the participial forms of which motivate the structure to express only the progressive or only the habitual aspect. This is tested with ‘-ga suffix’ and the ‘je-auxiliary’, which distinguish the progressive and habitual aspect in some dialects of Igbo, specifically Owerri and its satellite dialects. Finally, the paper demonstrates that there are verbs, the participial forms of which never constitute the structure to express progressive or habitual aspect. The verbs motivating this feature are quality-expressing verbs referred to as adjectival verbs by Emenanjo (2005). In fact, Uwalaka (1988:180) evidences the feature.
La séquence ‘na+participe’ est généralement considérée comme la structure qui motive l’aspect progressif. Cet article partage cet avis. Cependant, il prend en considération les projections sémantiques de la structure telles que signalées par le constituant de la forme verbale et suggère que la structure traduit l’aspect progressif et habituel de manière simultanée. L’article considère cette caractéristique comme celle qui rend cette structure nébuleuse et dont la neutralisation se fait par le biais du choix de l’expression temporelle. L’expression temporelle situe de manière efficace l’aspect progressif. Aucune expression n’est observée pour situer de manière adéquate l’aspect habituel. En outre, l’article signale le fait qu’il y a des verbes dont les formes participatives motivent la structure pour exprimer soit le progressif seulement soit l’aspect habituel seulement. C’est l’utilisation du suffixe –ga et de l’auxiliaire je qui permettent de distinguer l’aspect progressif et l’habituel dans certains dialectes igbo, notamment le dialecte Owerri et ses dialectes satellites. En dernière analyse, l’article démontre qu’il y a des verbes dont la forme participative ne constitue jamais la structure pour exprimer l’aspect progressif ou l’aspect habituel. Les verbes qui motivent cette caractéristique sont des verbes qui expriment la qualité et que Emenanjo (2005) appelle des verbes adjectivaux. En fait, Uwalaka (1988 20) prouve bien l’existence de ce trait.