Consecutive and relative in Northern Sotho: A problem in grammatical analysis

Abstract

A Northern-Sotho relative construction which is not mentioned in any publication, but which occurs often in written and spoken Northern Sotho, is described and analysed in this article. This relative expresses past actions. Superficially it resembles a possessive construction containing an infinitive clause. It is shown, however, that it is a consecutive relative both as regards meaning and structure. Its unusual form is due to the fact that it is derived from a deficient verb group which has undergone rank-shifting towards a single verb. Brief mention is made of some interesting implications of this relative for the description of Northern-Sotho verb categories.