Portmanteau manifestations of <i>-j-</i> and <i>-k-</i> morphs of verb extension in Hangaza

Abstract

This study investigates the portmanteau manifestations-j- and -k-verb morphs in Hangaza language spoken in Tanzania. The study was motivated by the language’s peculiarities in its post-radical semantic elasticity; especially the way the -j- and -k- morph behave. Lexical Mapping Theory was the tool of analysis used to explain the-j- and -k- implications. The study employed a case study design and its data were collected from the Hangaza area. Focus group discussion and documentary analysis were used in the collection of data. The collected data were represented basing on the Leipzig Glossing Rules. It was found that the -j- and -k- morphs have portmanteau senses. Thus, -k- can serve as causative or a stative while -j- can serve as an applicative or a causative. That is to say, the same form can be productive or non-productive. Lexical Mapping Theory’s theoretical apparatus explain well the -j- and -k- argument structure together with their semantics. Generally, Hangaza’s lexical peculiarities, including the nature of its prosodic features, attract further investigation into the way how polymorphic morphs are ordered and the way they function.