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Narrative uses of the U̱t-Ma'in (Kainji) Bare Verb form

  • Rebecca Paterson
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Beyond Aspect
This chapter is in the book Beyond Aspect

Abstract

In U̱t-Ma'in (Benue-Congo, Kainji), the temporal interpretation of a Bare Verb stem is based on the discourse context established by something other than the verb form itself. Contexts in which this verb form occurs vary. Adverbials and overt verbal morphology on other verbs are among the devices used to establish the conceptual/mental space within which each Bare Verb form is understood. Depending on context, tense-aspect interpretations of the Bare Verb may cover a range of notions, including ‘past’, ‘present’, and ‘habitual’. Once a conceptual space has been established, the Bare Verb can be used to express sequential main events; but its use is not limited to this function.

Abstract

In U̱t-Ma'in (Benue-Congo, Kainji), the temporal interpretation of a Bare Verb stem is based on the discourse context established by something other than the verb form itself. Contexts in which this verb form occurs vary. Adverbials and overt verbal morphology on other verbs are among the devices used to establish the conceptual/mental space within which each Bare Verb form is understood. Depending on context, tense-aspect interpretations of the Bare Verb may cover a range of notions, including ‘past’, ‘present’, and ‘habitual’. Once a conceptual space has been established, the Bare Verb can be used to express sequential main events; but its use is not limited to this function.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Preface vii
  4. Discourse structuring and typology 1
  5. Nilo-Saharan
  6. Aspect and thematic clause combining in Maa (Nilotic) 23
  7. Isolate
  8. Main event line structure and aspect in Sandawe narratives 53
  9. Afro-Asiatic
  10. The functions of Non-Final verbs and their aspectual categories in Northern Mao (Omotic) narrative 81
  11. Aspect-Mood and discourse in Kabyle (Berber) spoken narratives 117
  12. Niger-Congo
  13. The roles of Dissociative and (Non-)Completive morphology in structuring Totela (Bantu) narratives 145
  14. Narrative uses of the U̱t-Ma'in (Kainji) Bare Verb form 219
  15. Rethinking narrative tenses based on data from Nalu (Atlantic) and Yeyi (Bantu) 177
  16. The Factative and the Perfective-Inchoative in Cuurammã (Turka, Gur) 249
  17. Aspectual and storyline tension in Emai’s (Edoid) narrative template 287
  18. Topic Index 315
  19. Language Index 321
https://doi.org/10.1075/tsl.109.08pat

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Preface vii
  4. Discourse structuring and typology 1
  5. Nilo-Saharan
  6. Aspect and thematic clause combining in Maa (Nilotic) 23
  7. Isolate
  8. Main event line structure and aspect in Sandawe narratives 53
  9. Afro-Asiatic
  10. The functions of Non-Final verbs and their aspectual categories in Northern Mao (Omotic) narrative 81
  11. Aspect-Mood and discourse in Kabyle (Berber) spoken narratives 117
  12. Niger-Congo
  13. The roles of Dissociative and (Non-)Completive morphology in structuring Totela (Bantu) narratives 145
  14. Narrative uses of the U̱t-Ma'in (Kainji) Bare Verb form 219
  15. Rethinking narrative tenses based on data from Nalu (Atlantic) and Yeyi (Bantu) 177
  16. The Factative and the Perfective-Inchoative in Cuurammã (Turka, Gur) 249
  17. Aspectual and storyline tension in Emai’s (Edoid) narrative template 287
  18. Topic Index 315
  19. Language Index 321
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