Verb Complements in Dawro - A descriptive Approach

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Date

2010-06

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

The general objective of this study is to examine Dawro verb complements. To achieve the intended objective, various literatures have been referred. Data have been collected from informants and existing literatures. Consequently, all the of the data were collected from the informants during field trip. The method used for data collection was elicitation. Then the data have been phonetically transcribed and finally described. The finding of the study shows that in Dawro verbs can be classified into two: those, which take phrasal complements and those, which selects clausal complements. The verbs that select phrasal complements are classified into three groups according to the number and type of complement they select. They are classified as type one, type two and type three verbs. Regarding clausal complements, issues related to complementizers, higher predicates, syntactic variation and tense distinction in complement clauses are discussed. Five comlementizers are identified based on the syntactic function and semantics of complement clauses. Furthermore, higher predicates which take finite, non-finite, both finite and non-finite clausal complements were also discussed. In addition, passive higher predicates and copulas that take clausal complement were investigated. In discussing syntactic variations, the order of constituents of the complement clause within the clause itself and in relation to the constituent order in the matrix clause was explored. The positions of complement clauses in relation to the matrix clause were also assessed. In addition, subject marked and unmarked complement clauses were identified.

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various literatures have been referred., Data have been collected from informants

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