The Distribution of the Copular Verb in Asante Twi
Research Mentor(s)
Dr. Virginia Dawson
Description
The Asante dialect of Twi is a dialect of one of the most widely spoken languages of Ghana. In Twi there are several dialects of varying degrees of mutual intelligibility, Asante, Akan (the most widely spoken), Akuapem, and Fante. This paper focuses on the distribution and usage of the copular verb in Asante, a feature that has received little attention, even among the linguists of Ghana, whose work has primarily concerned Akan. In Asante, there are three different copular verbs, 1) yɜ, which ascribes to the NP the attributes, features, or identity of the complement, 2) wɔ which is used exclusively for dual possessive-locational functions, and 3) de, which is used for discussing internal body temperatures and the experience of hunger or thirst (and also exhibits irregular word order). This research was conducted with the aid of a language consultant who is a native speaker of Asante. This paper provides a distribution of the three copular verbs, analyzes such distribution within Asante and cross-linguistically, then points out the remaining questions for further research.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
May 2022
End Date
May 2022
Location
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Department
CHSS - Linguistics
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
The Distribution of the Copular Verb in Asante Twi
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
The Asante dialect of Twi is a dialect of one of the most widely spoken languages of Ghana. In Twi there are several dialects of varying degrees of mutual intelligibility, Asante, Akan (the most widely spoken), Akuapem, and Fante. This paper focuses on the distribution and usage of the copular verb in Asante, a feature that has received little attention, even among the linguists of Ghana, whose work has primarily concerned Akan. In Asante, there are three different copular verbs, 1) yɜ, which ascribes to the NP the attributes, features, or identity of the complement, 2) wɔ which is used exclusively for dual possessive-locational functions, and 3) de, which is used for discussing internal body temperatures and the experience of hunger or thirst (and also exhibits irregular word order). This research was conducted with the aid of a language consultant who is a native speaker of Asante. This paper provides a distribution of the three copular verbs, analyzes such distribution within Asante and cross-linguistically, then points out the remaining questions for further research.