Cliticization and Case theory in Xhosa

Abstract

This article examines cliticization in Xhosa within the framework of the government-binding theory (henceforth GB theory) of transformational generative grammmar. In particular, the assumption is explored that the possibility for a clitic to occur in Xhosa verbal morphology can be explained in terms of one (or more) of the subsystems of principles of the GB theory. The principles that are considered in this regard are government theory, θ-theory (i.e. the theory of thematic roles) and Case theory. Firstly it is shown that government is not a sufficient condition, although a necessary one, to explain cliticization in Xhosa. Also, θ-theory, though a necessary condition for cliticization, like government, cannot provide an explanation for some instances where cliticization is disallowed. Finally, it is argued that the conditions for cliticization in Xhosa can be made explicit by invoking Case theory.