Browsing by Author "Karani, Michael"

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    The Arusa verb system
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2013) Karani, Michael
    In Maasai, there occurred linguistic changes over time, which resulted into development of dialects. The Arusa dialect has developed some distinct features in the verb systems that do not conform to all verb properties in terms of morphophonological and morphosyntactic aspects of the Maasai grammar. For that reason, a knowledge gap has developed; hence, justifying the need to investigate how Arusa verbs differ from popular or standard Maasai verbs. To examine this, a description of Arusa main and auxiliary verbs was undertaken. A qualitative research methodology was employed during data collection and analysis. Guided interviews, informal discussions and stories were recorded and analysed for discussion. The CV structure of main verbs has been illustrated, and forms and functions of auxiliary verbs were investigated. In addition, a few more auxiliary verbs were added to the previously identified ones in the lexicon. Moreover, different shapes and conjugations of irregular verbs were discussed. The findings suggest that the Arusa dialect varies morphosyntactically from other dialects, for example, in verb stems, morphemes, tone placement and verb extensions. Further studies are called for in order to examine the syntactic implications of verb extensions, verb arguments and constraints on the number of arguments licensed by various verbal suffixes.
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    Dative applicative elements in Arusa (Maa): A canonical approach to the argument-adjunct distinction
    (Stellenbosch Papers in Linguistics Plus, 2019) Karani, Michael
    The present paper analyzes the degree of the argumenthood or adjuncthood of elements licensed by the dative applicative (DA) construction in Arusa within a canonical approach to the argument-adjunct distinction. After testing DA elements for the various criteria and diagnostics associated with the typologically-driven prototype of arguments and adjuncts, the authors conclude the following: in most cases, DA elements behave as canonical arguments and are therefore located close to the argumenthood pole of the argument-adjunct continuum.
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    The Perfective Form in Arusa – a Cognitive-Grammaticalization Model
    (Asian and African Studies, 2017) Karani, Michael
    The present paper studies the semantics of the so-called perfective (PFV) form in Arusa (Maasai), using the model of the dynamic (one- and two-dimensional) semantic maps. The analysis demonstrates that PFV is a broad, semi-advanced resultative-path gram. It spans large sections of the two sub-paths of the resultative path: the anterior path (present perfect, perfective and non-perfective past, as well pluperfect and future perfect) and the simultaneous path (present stative). However, the PFV form is incompatible with the input sense of the resultative path (a resultative proper present) and the most advanced stages of the two sub-paths (non-stative present and progressive past). If the information related to prototypicality is included, the map adopts the shape of a wave with the prototypicality peaks located in the area of a perfective past and, to a lesser degree, a present perfect. The senses of a non-perfective past and a stative present are less prototypical. Other senses (pluperfect, future perfect and counterfactual irrealis) are non-prototypical, contributing minimally to the gram’s semantics.
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    Radial Categories in Syntax: Non-Resumptive Left Dislocation in Arusa
    (Studia Linguistica Universitatis Iagellonicae Cracoviensis, 2017) Karani, Michael
    This paper discusses the phenomenon of L(eft) D(islocation) in Arusa – a southern variety of Maasai – and, in particular, the presence of resumption in LD construc¬tions. With respect to resumption, Arusa allows for two types of LD. In most cases, a non-resumptive type of LD is used. This variant is obligatory if a possible resumptive element refers to an argument of the verb of the matrix clause (i.e. subject, direct and indirect objects and applied objects). The resumptive type, which is significantly less frequent, appears only if the dislocate corresponds to an adjunct in the matrix clause. The pervasiveness of the non-resumptive LD stems from the ungrammaticality of overt independent pronominal arguments in most positions in Arusa. As a result, resump¬tion cannot be viewed as a decisive feature for the classification of a construction as LD, and its lack as a sufficient reason to propose a different category. Rather, LD should be viewed as a radial category containing both constructions that match the LD prototype and structures that are more remote from the exemplar.
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    Syntactic Categories and the Verb-Argument Complex in Parakuyo Maasai
    (Stellenbosch University, 2018) Karani, Michael
    This study investigated issues pertaining to the properties of verbal affixes in Parakuyo that give rise to different realizations of the external and internal arguments. The study examines a range of argument realizations and alternation licensed by verbs with specific lexical-semantic, event semantic and morpho-syntactic properties introduced by the particular verbal suffixes. Thus, the study explores the interfaces of the linguistic components, mainly morphology and syntax in the Parakuyo grammar. The data were collected through focus group discussions and interviews from native speakers of the Parakuyo dialect. The theoretical framework and key perspectives employed in the study relate to key concepts underlying developments in generative syntax including Principles and Parameters theory, Minimalist Program, Distributed Morphology, Voice theory, ‘little’ v, and Cartography theory. This study employs a multi-perspective framework for investigating the lexical-semantics, event semantics and morpho-syntax of the verbal category system of affixes correlated with argument structure alternations of various kinds that necessitate exploring the interfaces between morphology and syntax that cannot be accounted for by employing any one theory. This study provides account of a range of the properties of syntactic structures in Parakuyo exemplifying the various verbal derivation affixes. Different syntactic diagnostics tests for external argument have been employed to determine whether the reference of the implicit argument can be retrieved, particularly in argument suppressing suffixes, namely the impersonal and the middle in Parakuyo. Among the diagnostic tests applied, include possibilities of modification by by-phrases, PPs modification, by-itself phrases, agentive adverbials and purpose clauses. The findings give evidence that impersonals and middles in Parakuyo do not permit an agent to occur as a subject DP or as a PP adverbial but causer, causer-event and instrumental-causer can occur in a PP modification. Both impersonal and middle verb constructions can be modified by manner-oriented adverbs. The study also relates the discussions of the verbal affixes and argument realization with other pertinent aspects like information structure and aspectual types in the events denoted by the verbs. In addition, the study examines argument-introducing affixes in Parakuyo verb constructions. These affixes are the causative, the instrumental, the dative, the motion away and motion towards affixes. The investigation of these verbal constructions demonstrates the processes of argument realization and alternation in the Parakuyo dialect. The mapping of the thematic roles for each argument introduced is done parallel to various arguments in the clauses. Furthermore, the study examines verbal suffixes in Parakuyo that do not suppress the external argument but have effect on the internal argument in various ways, including the thematic roles of such arguments. The findings suggest that both the antipassive and reciprocal in a way suppress the internal argument while reflexive constructions exhibit mixed properties towards the status of internal argument, that is, introducing the internal argument by its morphology and suppressing the same through its reflexive pronoun. Inchoative focuses on the change of state of its internal argument rendering the resultant-state. It is concluded that the multifaceted theoretical framework employed in this study is necessitated for adequately analysing the Parakuyo data.
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    A Unified Standard Orthography for Maa Languages: Kenya & Tanzania
    (CASAS, 2014) Karani, Michael
    This monograph presents the unified orthography for the Kenyan and Tanzanian Maa varieties of the Nilotic family. They include Maasai, Samburu, Ilchamus, Arusa, Parakuyo and Kisongo. Whilst it is acknowledged that there is a considerable body of literature in these varieties including grammar books, such as Tucker and Mpaayie (1955), Hollis (1905), dictionaries by Mol (1972, 1996) and Payne (2010), PhD and MA theses and story books and the Holy Bible, the orthography used so far has not been scientifically harmonised. This text presents a systematic and consistent orthography and other writing conventions based on linguistically valid principles.