Complementation In Chakari Nyanja: A Case Study

Abstract

This study is concerned with complementation in Chakari Nyanja. Complementation is looked at as the addition of a phrase or clause to make the predicate complete. A phrase or clause that serves this function is a complement. The study brings out different types of complements in Chakari Nyanja and how they are subcategorised, selected and distributed. Lexical Functional Grammar (LFG) theory postulated by Bresnan and Kaplan (1982) and its sub theory Lexical Mapping Theory (LMT) have been employed as tools for analysis. LFG is a theory that derives its linguistic explications from the competence module of native speakers and observations made within the performance module. It assigns three levels of linguistic analysis, namely, the constituent structure, functional structure and argument structure. LMT shows the correspondence between thematic structure and syntactic structure. It consists of rules and principles responsible for linking thematic roles with grammatical functions. The study brings out the fact that there are (a) two broad types of complements, verb phrase complements and noun phrase complements. Under these two broad types, five types of complements have been identified. (b) Complementation is a matter of degree. (c) Some complements function as subject and object (d) Complements are hierarchically ordered, though there is free ordering on locative noun phrase complements occurring in the same clause. (e) The head subcategorises and selects its complements.