Estudo do prefixo da classe 5 em Ndau

Abstract

In the various African languages, the nominal prefixes are numbered from 1 to 23, and the number of prefixes varies from language to language. Ndau, like any Banou language, has an organization of nouns in groups called classes with 15 prefixes corresponding to 15 nominal classes ranging from class 1 to 10 and from class 14 to 18 respectively. According to Ngunga and Mathagwane (2004), citing various authors (Bleek 1869, Guthrie 1967, Meussen 1967, Meinho 1899), the class 5 prefix has various realizations (di-, li-, ri-, i-) in different languages. According to the literature we consulted, class 5 is marked by the zero morpheme in some languages. This study aims to show that the prefix of class 5 in the Ndau language is neither di- / ri-/ li-/ i- but the zero morpheme (0) and the [ + voice] feature. To this end, it is organized as follows: Chapter I - INTRODUCTION - Presentation of the Ndau language. Objectives of the work, Methodology, Hypotheses and Organization of the work. Chapter II - BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW - Presentation of the theoretical assumptions that serve as the basis for the research, some definitions of the nominal class, some phonological elements of Ndau. Chapter III - DATA ANALYSIS - Nominal classes in general and the class 5 mark in particular. Chapter IV ~ CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS - Presentation of the study's conclusions and recommendations for further research. (TRADUÇAO NOSSA)