SOAS Research Online

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate modification in Swahili from two main standpoints: syntax and semantics. Intonation, as a determining factor for some semantic denotations of some modifying units of structure, is not neglected. In the first chapter there is a relatively detailed argumentation of the treatment and classification of some items, which have been treated differently in previous works on Swahili. The conclusion of the discussions of such items here is different from the suggestions and conclusions of earlier works. There is also a discussion of the number of grammatical classes that are required for the adequate description of the nominal group in Swahili, as well as an elaborate description of items which participate in modification within nominal group structure. In the second chapter, items that participate in modification at the clause level are investigated. They are grouped into three classes according to their syntactic functions and semantic denotations. These classes are Adjunct, Conjunct and Disjunct. These items are differentiated from their homonyms, if they have any, on syntactic, semantic and intonational criteria. In the third chapter, clauses that function as modifying elements to other units of structure are investigated as to their syntax, semantics and intonational features. They are labelled according to the semantic relationships they have with other units within the sentence. Their main features as modifying units, and also their relationships to units they modify are investigated. In chapter four, some items that participate in modification at different ranks are studied separately since they do not seem to fit well into the previous chapters. Their various syntactic, and semantic functions at both group and clause levels are studied. The originality in this thesis lies in the fact that it is concerned with very interesting areas in the language which have not previously been studied. There exist some works which deal indirectly with modification but they are restricted to group level only and even at this level they do not cover the whole area. No work, as far as I know, deals with clauses or sentences as constituting or exemplifying modification in Swahili. I would think that the value of this work lies in the light it sheds on this interesting area of the language.