Notes on the aspectual system of Oshindonga

Abstract

The conceptual domain of aspect has non-verbal as well as verbal reflexes in Ndonga. Non-verbal reflexes such as adverbs and conjunctives are not strictly regarded as aspect because they are not part of the verb, while verbal reflexes may be lexicalized (in the conceptual meanings of verbs—be they auxiliary verbs, copulative verbs or main verbs) or grammaticalized. Grammaticalized reflexes are of two basic types, namely, agglutinating and inflecting reflexes. The inflecting type in turn comprises two groups, namely, those reflexes that are morphologically inflected, and those that are tonologically inflected. As far as meaning is concerned, aspect in Ndonga is of a universal nature in that the aspectual system operates (as do the aspectual systems of many other languages) on the perfect:imperfect distinction.