Restrictions on the attachment of verbal extensions in Degema

Abstract

This paper discusses restrictions observed in the attachment of verbal extensions to all verb bases in Degema. Kari (1995) discusses verbal extensions in Degema focusing on the number, underlying forms, and phonological rules that derive the surface forms of these extensions, but does not discuss the factors that permit or prohibit the attachment of each of the extensions to all verb bases in the language. In later works such as Kari (2003, 2008), Kari claims that reference is made directly or indirectly to semantics as a possible factor responsible for the prohibition of the causative, reflexive, reciprocal, and habitual extensions from attaching to certain verb bases. By examining a number of verb bases, the primary goal of this paper is to establish the range of factors that permit or prohibit verbal extensions from attaching to all verb bases in Degema. The findings of this paper show that phonological and syntactic factors, especially valency, in addition to the semantic character of verbs, play a crucial role in permitting or prohibiting the attachment of these extensions to all verbs bases in Degema.