Home Linguistics & Semiotics 8 Applicative constructions and non-applicative uses of applicative morphology in Tswana (Bantu)
Chapter
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

8 Applicative constructions and non-applicative uses of applicative morphology in Tswana (Bantu)

  • Denis Creissels
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill
Explore this Subject How to publish with us
Applicative Constructions in the World’s Languages
This chapter is in the book Applicative Constructions in the World’s Languages

Abstract

This chapter provides a detailed description of applicative constructions in Tswana, and of constructions involving the same morphological marking as applicative constructions, although they do not meet the definition of applicative constructions. Leaving aside an applicative-like use of the causative suffix, Tswana can be analyzed as having a single verbal suffix involved in the marking of applicative constructions. In P-applicative constructions, this suffix licenses applied objects expressing various semantic roles, such as beneficiary, whose only common feature is that they cannot be expressed as oblique phrases in clauses projected by the non-applicative form of the same verb. In X-applicative constructions, the same suffix licenses locative expressions that show no evidence of a change in their morphosyntactic status but express roles other than those they would express with the non-applicative form of the same verb. The same suffix is also found in a construction in which it marks the promotion of instrumental adjuncts to subject role. It also has several uses not related to valency operations: focalization of locative adjuncts, expression of habituality of action at some place and expression of intensity of action. Finally, lexicalized applicatives are common in Tswana.

Abstract

This chapter provides a detailed description of applicative constructions in Tswana, and of constructions involving the same morphological marking as applicative constructions, although they do not meet the definition of applicative constructions. Leaving aside an applicative-like use of the causative suffix, Tswana can be analyzed as having a single verbal suffix involved in the marking of applicative constructions. In P-applicative constructions, this suffix licenses applied objects expressing various semantic roles, such as beneficiary, whose only common feature is that they cannot be expressed as oblique phrases in clauses projected by the non-applicative form of the same verb. In X-applicative constructions, the same suffix licenses locative expressions that show no evidence of a change in their morphosyntactic status but express roles other than those they would express with the non-applicative form of the same verb. The same suffix is also found in a construction in which it marks the promotion of instrumental adjuncts to subject role. It also has several uses not related to valency operations: focalization of locative adjuncts, expression of habituality of action at some place and expression of intensity of action. Finally, lexicalized applicatives are common in Tswana.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Purpose and Aim of the Series V
  3. Contents VII
  4. Part I: General chapters
  5. 1 Applicative constructions: An introductory overview 1
  6. 2 Questionnaire on applicative constructions 57
  7. 3 Languages examined or referred to in the present book 61
  8. Part II: Case studies
  9. Individual languages
  10. 4 Hul’q’umi’num’ Salish applicative constructions 79
  11. 5 Applicatives in Upper Necaxa Totonac 115
  12. 6 Applicatives in Toba/Qom (Guaykuruan) 143
  13. 7 The applicative constructions of Mapudungun 179
  14. 8 Applicative constructions and non-applicative uses of applicative morphology in Tswana (Bantu) 211
  15. 9 Applicativization in Amharic 243
  16. 10 Applicative constructions in Standard Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) 279
  17. Areal overviews
  18. 11 Contact-induced diffusion of applicatives in northwestern Amazonia? 307
  19. 12 Applicatives in Papuan languages 347
  20. 13 Applicative constructions in Australian Aboriginal languages 391
  21. 14 Applicativizing preverbs in selected European languages 419
  22. Genealogical overviews
  23. 15 Applicatives in Northern Uto-Aztecan languages 475
  24. 16 Applicative constructions in Uto-Aztecan languages from Northwestern Mexico 509
  25. 17 Applicative constructions in the Inuit-Yupik-Unangan (Eskimo-Aleut) languages 557
  26. 18 Applicatives across Algonquian 601
  27. 19 Applicative constructions in Mayan languages: An overview with special focus on Chontal 645
  28. 20 Applicative constructions in two Otomanguean families: Otomi and Zapotec 679
  29. 21 The polyfunctional applicative *-ɪd in Bantu languages 719
  30. 22 B-applicatives and I-applicatives in Atlantic languages (Niger-Congo) 749
  31. 23 Nilotic applicatives 783
  32. 24 Applicative constructions in Cushitic 835
  33. 25 Applicative constructions in the Northwest Caucasian languages 869
  34. 26 Applicative constructions in Kartvelian 913
  35. 27 Applicative derivations in Kiranti 943
  36. 28 Applicative constructions in languages of western Indonesia 971
  37. Part III: Theoretical/Comparative outlook
  38. 29 Understanding applicatives 1007
  39. 30 Applicatives cross-linguistically: Features and distribution 1033
  40. 31 Applicative and related constructions: Results and perspectives 1045
  41. Language index 1077
  42. Subject index 1083
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110730951-008

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Purpose and Aim of the Series V
  3. Contents VII
  4. Part I: General chapters
  5. 1 Applicative constructions: An introductory overview 1
  6. 2 Questionnaire on applicative constructions 57
  7. 3 Languages examined or referred to in the present book 61
  8. Part II: Case studies
  9. Individual languages
  10. 4 Hul’q’umi’num’ Salish applicative constructions 79
  11. 5 Applicatives in Upper Necaxa Totonac 115
  12. 6 Applicatives in Toba/Qom (Guaykuruan) 143
  13. 7 The applicative constructions of Mapudungun 179
  14. 8 Applicative constructions and non-applicative uses of applicative morphology in Tswana (Bantu) 211
  15. 9 Applicativization in Amharic 243
  16. 10 Applicative constructions in Standard Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) 279
  17. Areal overviews
  18. 11 Contact-induced diffusion of applicatives in northwestern Amazonia? 307
  19. 12 Applicatives in Papuan languages 347
  20. 13 Applicative constructions in Australian Aboriginal languages 391
  21. 14 Applicativizing preverbs in selected European languages 419
  22. Genealogical overviews
  23. 15 Applicatives in Northern Uto-Aztecan languages 475
  24. 16 Applicative constructions in Uto-Aztecan languages from Northwestern Mexico 509
  25. 17 Applicative constructions in the Inuit-Yupik-Unangan (Eskimo-Aleut) languages 557
  26. 18 Applicatives across Algonquian 601
  27. 19 Applicative constructions in Mayan languages: An overview with special focus on Chontal 645
  28. 20 Applicative constructions in two Otomanguean families: Otomi and Zapotec 679
  29. 21 The polyfunctional applicative *-ɪd in Bantu languages 719
  30. 22 B-applicatives and I-applicatives in Atlantic languages (Niger-Congo) 749
  31. 23 Nilotic applicatives 783
  32. 24 Applicative constructions in Cushitic 835
  33. 25 Applicative constructions in the Northwest Caucasian languages 869
  34. 26 Applicative constructions in Kartvelian 913
  35. 27 Applicative derivations in Kiranti 943
  36. 28 Applicative constructions in languages of western Indonesia 971
  37. Part III: Theoretical/Comparative outlook
  38. 29 Understanding applicatives 1007
  39. 30 Applicatives cross-linguistically: Features and distribution 1033
  40. 31 Applicative and related constructions: Results and perspectives 1045
  41. Language index 1077
  42. Subject index 1083
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 5.11.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110730951-008/html?lang=en
Scroll to top button