Abstract
Tanzanian Swahili has two complementizers, kuwa and kwamba, both used to introduce finite embedded clauses. We explore whether the complementizers are in free variation, as reported in all descriptive and pedagogical work. Our study primarily relies on corpus data, which we supplement with native speaker judgments. We find that the complementizers are not in free variation, but in fact are affected by a number of factors known to affect embedded clauses cross-linguistically, including predicate class, person features of the main-clause subject, and mood in the embedded clause. We conclude that the complementizers ultimately reflect subtle, pragmatic factors concerning how the truth of the embedded clause should be evaluated. Our study expands on previous work on languages with so-called “dual-complementizer” systems.
Abstract in KiSwahili
Kiswahili cha Tanzania kina viunganishi viwili, kuwa na kwamba, ambavyo hutumika kutambulisha vifungu vilivyopachikwa. Tunajadili kama viunganishi hivi hutumika kwa njia huru kama inavyoonyeshwa kwenye tafiti zote zinazohusu matumizi na ufundishaji wake. Utafiti wetu kwa kiasi kikubwa unatumia data ya corpus ya Kiswahili na maoni ya wazungumzaji asilia wa Kiswahili kuhusu matumizi ya viunganishi hivi. Kutokana na utafiti wetu, tuligundua kuwa viunganishi havitumiki kwa njia huru ila huathiriwa na mambo kadhaa ambayo yanajulikana kuathiri vifungu pachikwa kiisimu yakiwemo aina za vitenzi, hali ya kifungu kikuu cha nafsi, na hali ya kifungu kilichopachikwa. Tunahitimisha kuwa viunganishi kwa kiasi kikubwa huonyesha mambo mwafaka kuhusu jinsi hali ya kifungu kilichopachikwa inastahili kufasiriwa. Utafiti wetu unapanua zaidi kazi za awali kuhusu lugha ambazo zina viunganishi viwili kwenye mfumo wake.
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