The reassessment of the moods in Zulu

Abstract

The concept mood is seen as a purely semantic phenomenon. In the definition given it becomes clear that there is a set norm: reality. The semantic content of the various verbal forms of Zulu are tested with respect to their relationship to reality. It was found that Zulu nas three moods. Furthermore, it was found that dependent verb forms such as the participial/situative and the narrative (consecutive?) forms should modally be classed with the indicative. It has also become clear that the subjunctive often forfeits its function as a mood to function purely as a narrative form.