Effects of Relativization on the Morpho-syntactic Structure of the Runyambo Verb

Nelius Rwebangira

Abstract


This article intends to move a step beyond brief description of subject
and object relativization provided in the grammar of Runyambo (cf.
Rugemalira, 2005: 101-103). It aims at describing the formation of
relative clauses in Runyambo and it specifically analyses the effects of
relativization of different grammatical functions (GFs) of the morphosyntactic
structure of the Runyambo verb. Descriptive research design
was used in conjunction with a qualitative approach in data collection
and analysis of findings. Ten (10) respondents were purposively selected
to inform the study. The findings included (i) the relativization of the
subject NP nominalises the verb; (ii) the relativization process alters the
position of tense markers within the relative verbs for the present
continuous, and the immediate future tenses; and (iii) the relativization
of different GFs changes the present continuous and immediate future
tense marker ‘ni’ ‘is/are’, and the remote past tense marker ‘ka’ (P3) into
‘ri-ku’ ‘is/are’ and á (P1)…íre (P2), respectively.


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