Grammar of Space: a Study of Dholuo Motion Verbs

Abstract

This study focuses on the grammar of space analysis of the Dholuo motion verbs using the conceptual framework of Talmy‟s typology with the underlying hypotheses that the expression of Dholuo verbal motion expression is lexicalized in the main verb; that Dholuo expresses the Figure, Ground, Path, Motion, Manner and Cause in a motion event, while taking into account Talmy‟s typology especially for the satellite frame pattern lexicalization of Dholuo motion verbs. The study presents the data on Dholuo motion verbs which express intransitive, transitive and deictic motions for analysis, and discusses the semantic components of a motion event and how they are realized in the Dholuo verbal and satellite expressions. Various motion descriptions such as accompanied, causative and orientation motions, and the satellite framing of the Dholuo verbal constructions are also discussed and analysed, with the observation that Dholuo tends to express Motion and Manner or Cause in the verb while the Path is expressed in the satellites, an observation which further revealed that the Dholuo motion constructions exhibit the satellite lexicalization pattern. The study reaches the conclusion that the Figure, Ground, Path, Motion, Manner and Cause are all elements of a Dholuo motion event and that in Dholuo, motion verbal expressions are lexicalized in the verb.