The status of verbal affixes in Bantu languages with special reference to Tsonga: problems and possibilities

Abstract

Although the title may suggest that all verbal affixes will come under scrutiny, in this article an attempt is made to provide a unified treatment of affixes which affect the predicate argument structure of the verbs they are attached to, namely the applicative, causative, neutro-stative, passive and reflexive. Specifically, it is argued that these affixes are nothing more than verbal affixes which alter the predicate argument structure of the verbs they are attached to, by adding, binding or suppressing thematic roles.