The Sesotho locative alternation verbs

Abstract

This article examines the Sesotho locative alternation verbs, i.e. verbs which participate in an alternation that involves a locative phrase. These verbs are divided into three classes, namely (a) the class in which the NP PP (Locative) complement alternates with the NP NP complement; (b) the class in which the NP PP (Locative) alternates with NP PP (Instrument) complement, and (c) the class in which the NP PP (locative) complement alternates with either NP PP (Instrument) or NP NP complement. The conclusion drawn is that the shared components of meaning within a class determine the argument structure.