Benefactive and substitutive applicatives in Bemba

Abstract

Benefactive applicative constructions can encode a range of different meanings, including notably recipient, substitutive and plain benefactive readings, which are often distinguished in cross-linguistic studies. In Bantu languages, this distinction has not received much attention, in part because most Bantu languages do not formally distinguish between different readings of benefactive applicatives. In Bemba (Bantu M42, Zambia), by contrast, substitutive applicatives, where the action of the verb is performed by the agent instead of, on behalf of, or in place of someone else, are formally marked by applicative morphology in addition to a post-verbal clitic -kó, based on a grammaticalised locative demonstrative clitic. The paper provides a detailed discussion of the construction and proposes that the interpretation of substitutive applicatives results from the interaction of abstract applicative and locative semantics and depends on underlying metaphors of spatial and abstract location. Bemba benefactive applicatives thus provide an illustration of the complex function and interpretation of Bantu applicatives and locative markers more widely. The construction is interesting from a historical-comparative and typological perspective because of the particular grammaticalisation process from a locative source involved in the historical development of the construction, and because substitution is marked in addition to applicative marking.

Phrasal phonology in Copperbelt Bemba

“…See Bickmore & Kula (2013) for detailed discussion. 4 The ending /-ko/ is treated as an enclitic on the verb in the Bantu literature (see Marten and Kula 2014). Phonologically, based on its tonal interaction with the verb stem where it patterns with H-toned suffixes, it is part of the same prosodic word as the verb.…”

“…In this regard, TAMs can be divided into four types: those with (i) no melodic H, (ii) melodic H realised on the final vowel, (iii) melodic H realised on all TBUs from the peninitial syllable up to and including the final vowel and (iv) melodic H on the second syllable of the verb stem. SeeBickmore & Kula (2013) for detailed discussion.4 The ending /kó/ is treated as an enclitic on the verb in the Bantu literature (seeMarten & Kula 2014). Phonologically, based on its tonal interaction with the verb stem where it patterns with H-toned suffixes, it is part of the same prosodic word as the verb.…”

Valency and expectation in Bantu applicatives

“…Dammann 1961 andKähler-Meyer 1966). A similar view underlies the analysis of Bemba substitutive applicatives in Marten and Kula (2014). • The applicative can be combined with other extensions, and usually follows causative suffixes, but precedes passives and reciprocals (Hyman 2003).…”

Benefaction proper and surrogation

“…In Bemba (Bantu M42; Zambia) as described by Marten & Kula (2011), however, for the applicativized construction to allow a surrogative reading, additional morphology is needed: the verbal enclitic =kó is obligatory for the expression of such a meaning (20b). Note that the 'instead of ' meaning is instantiated by the applicative plus the enclitic when the applied object is the idle agent, whereas it is expressed by the non-applicative predicate and a different construction based on the preposition úkúcila 'instead of ' when a given referent would have been patientive had it been centrally involved in the relevant state of affairs (20c).…”

“…a locative one. Second, its function seems to be best understood as marking what Marten & Kula (2011) call "abstract space of agency. " This can be seen from two facts: its interpretation is not restricted to substitutive agency (even though this is arguably the preferred choice), but a more "indirect" relation is also possible with some verbs and in some contexts (22a) (i.e.…”