Bantu negative verbs: a typological-comparative investigation of form, function and distribution

Abstract

This paper investigates the use of verbs in the expression of negation across Bantu. The development of erstwhile lexical verbs into markers of negation is an understudied yet widespread phenomenon across the language family. In this sample of 100 languages, we identify a range of pathways as well as specific functions performed by such verbs. Specifically, we identify the use of both intrinsic negative verbs -i.e. those with inherent negative meanings -and extrinsic negative verbs -i.e. those which do not have an inherently negative meaning, but which have assumed dedicated negative functions through their use in specific constructions. This latter category can further be divided into two subtypes: those with negative inflectional material and those without. Across our sample, we explore the use of negative verbs in main clauses, non-declarative clauses such as prohibitives and interrogatives, non-verbal predicative clauses, as well as in non-main clause contexts such as in complement, relative and adverbial clauses. We further explore negative verbs for negation of infinitives and in non-clausal negation. In this endeavor, we offer a refined understanding of the development and distribution of verbs as negators in Bantu languages, while also broadening our understanding of negation in general.