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Difference between revisions of "Multi-verb constructions in Edo"

 
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{{TCedit}}
 
By  
 
By  
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Ota Ogie
 
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Researcher.
 
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Department of Language and Communication Studies.
 
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NTNU
 
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E-mail:ota.ogie@hf.ntnu.no
 
  
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[[User:Ota Ogie|Ota Ogie]]
  
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Multi-verb constructions provide useful insight into the question of how languages distinguish between adjunction and complementation. The term multi-verb constructions is defined as consisting of verbs in series that can function as independent verbs in simple sentences, with at least one shared argument and no marking of syntactic dependency (cf. Amaka 2005:2).
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Researcher affiliated with the Department of Language and Communication Studies.  
  
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Èdó
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NTNU -
 +
e-mail:ota.ogie@hf.ntnu.no
  
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sv-v1objIDv2su-v1tr-v1suAg-v1obAff-v2-int-v2suAff-CAUSE_RESULT
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(alternatively you can use the TC-internal e-mail to contact me)
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<phrase>2433</phrase>
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The template above the construction gives the construction labels and has the following structure: Area 1 gives the global labels, the number of verbs in series ''(ie sv, sv3, sv4 )'' as well as argument sharing information and information about thematic relations holding across the verb in series. In the example above ''sv'' states that the construction is of type serial verb with 2 verbs, Area 2 gives the valence information as well as information about grammatical function and thematic roles. This is exemplified by ''v1objIDv2su-v1tr-v1suAg_v1obAff-v2-int-v2obAff'' in the example above. Here the object of v1 shares reference (ID) with the subject of v2 ''v1objIDv2su''. Also v1 is transitive and its subject has an agent thematic role and the object an Affected role ''v1tr-v1suAg-v1obAff''  while v2 is intransitive with a subject having an Affected role  ''v2-int-v2suAff''.  Information about the situation type of the construction is provided by Area 3 and this is exemplified by  ''CAUSE_RESULT'' in the above example. Area 3 is written in capital letters.
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'''== Introduction =='''  
  
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In examples where there is token identity between arguments of the verbs in series, I have represented thematic relations for such examples only in area 1. Area 2 then gives information about valence, arguments that do not share thematic roles and arguments that are not shared. For example, in the consequential svc in the Èdó example below, the template reads as follows:
 
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Area 1:''sv_suObID_suAg''. The serial verb construction consists of two verbs in series and the verbs in series share reference across arguments. The subject argument is token identified and has an agent theta role.
 
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Area 2:''v1tr-v1obThincrem-v2tr-v2obAff''. V1 is transitive and has an incremental theme object. V2 is also transitive with an object bearing an affected theta role.
 
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Area 3: The situation type is a TRANSFER relation.
 
  
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Information about Tense Aspect, Mood and Negation is also provided by area 1 in the construction labels. Sharing of these features across verbs in series is represented as with sharing of arguments. For example in the Akan example on covert reference subject sharing in the clause chaining serial construction below , area 1 gives the following information ''sv_suAspID_suAg_aspCompl''. It states that the construction is a serial verb construction with the verbs in series sharing subject and aspect values. The subject has an agent thematic role and the verbs in series have completive aspect.
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This study examines multi-verb constructions in Èdó (a Benue-Congo language) with the aim of identifying and classifying them and their argument sharing patterns. Èdó is spoken in Èdó state in Mid-Western Nigeria and belongs to the Edoid language group (Elugbe 1979). It is a head initial SVO language with an open syllable system with no consonant clusters.
  
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With respect to the global labels in area 1, Hellan and Dakubu 2009 uses the global label ''ev'' to represent Extended Verb Complexes and the label ''pv'' for preverbs in EVCs. In addition, to the labelling conventions used by Hellan and Dakubu 2009 for SVCs (''sv'') and EVCs (''ev, pv'') , the following global labels are introduced to account for the range of multi-verb constructions in my data. The background assumptions remains the same (see Hellan 2008 and Hellan and Dakubu 2009 and [[In-depth annotation of multi-verb constructions in Èdó]] for discussion on the labelling conventions:
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We draw main background assumptions from the following sources; implemented Head-Driven Phrase Structure Grammars for Norwegian (Hellan 2003) and Ga (Hellan 2007) a Kwa language spoken in Ghana; an HPSG account of argument realization patterns  (Beermann, Hellan and Sætherø 2003); and a theory of event structure template (Pustejovsky 1995, 2006).
  
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'''Global labels'''
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Multi-verb constructions provide useful insight into the question of how languages distinguish between adjunction and complementation. The term multi-verb constructions is defined as consisting of verbs in series that can function as independent verbs in simple sentences, with at least one shared argument and no marking of syntactic dependency (cf. Ameka 2005:2).  They include SVCs, covert co-ordination and V+ infinitival complement constructions (Ogie 2009):
  
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consecutive construction          -  csc
 
  
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covert coordination              -  cc
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1. Consequential Serial verb construction
  
−
infinitival construction          - ic
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<phrase>2439</phrase>
  
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modifier construction            -  mc
 
  
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negative resultative construction - nrc
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2. Covert co-ordination
  
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overlapping construction          - oc
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<phrase>2436</phrase>
  
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complement/embedded clause        - cec
 
  
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empty subject construction       - esc
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3. V+infinitival complement construction
  
 +
 +
<phrase>2253</phrase>
  
  
  
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The verbs in series in multi-verb constructions need not bear one/same marking for tense, aspect, mood or negation and need not share subjects. They include SVCs, consecutive constructions, covert co-ordination, overlapping constructions, V+ modifier constructions and V+ infinitival complement constructions.
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'''== Verbal Morphology =='''
  
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Èdó
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With respect to verbal morphology, verbs in simple and multi-verb constructions can be inflected for the purpose of pluralizing nouns they occur with and to mark iteration.
  
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Consequential SVC
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Simple sentence: V+plural suffix
  
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sv_suObID_suAg-v1tr-v1obThincrem-v2tr-v2obAff-TRANSFER 
 
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<phrase>2439</phrase>
 
−
 
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Covert co-ordination
 
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cc_suID_suAg-v1tr-v1obAff-v2tr-v2obThincrem-CAUSE_RESULT
 
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<phrase>2436</phrase>
 
−
 
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V+modifier constuctions
 
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mc-vintr_suAg-ACHVMNT-MOTION_DIRECTED
 
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<phrase>2441</phrase>
 
−
 
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V+infinitival complement construction
 
−
 
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ic_suID_suAg-v2tr-v2obThincrem-CAUSE_RESULT
 
 
   
 
   
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<phrase>2253</phrase>
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4. <Phrase>8129</Phrase>
  
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Ewe
 
  
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Consecutive constructions
 
  
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cs3-v1intr-v1suAg-v2intr-v3intr-v3suAg-DIRECTED_MOTION
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5. <phrase>8159</phrase>
  
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<phrase>2679</phrase>
 
  
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Clause chaining serial constructions
 
  
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Akan
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multi-verb constructions : consequential serial verb construction
  
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sv_suAspID_suAg_aspCompl-v1tr-v1obAff-v2intr-CAUSE_RESULT
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V+plural suffix NP V+plural suffix
  
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<Phrase>9405</Phrase>  
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6. <Phrase>20407</Phrase>
  
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sv_AspID_aspCompl-v1ObIDv2su-v1tr-v1suAg-v1obAff-v2tr-v2suAff-CAUSE_RESULT 
 
−
 
−
<Phrase>2735</Phrase>
 
  
 +
Tense and transitivity are marked on the verb either through tonal changes or by affixation of a past tense suffix –rV under appropriate licensing conditions. With plural verbs,the order is the plural suffix before the past suffix.
  
 +
7. Simple sentence: Present tense
  
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This study examines multi-verb constructions in  (a Benue-Congo language) with the aim of identifying and classifying them and their argument sharing patterns.
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<phrase>8157</phrase>
  
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We draw main background assumptions from the following sources; implemented Head-Driven Phrase Structure Grammars for Norwegian (Hellan 2003) and Ga (Hellan 2007) a Kwa language spoken in Ghana; an HPSG account of argument realization patterns  (Beermann, Hellan and Sætherø 2003); and a theory of event structure template (Pustejovsky 1995, 2006).
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8. Simple sentence: Past tense
  
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Èdó is spoken in Èdó state in Mid-Western Nigeria and belongs to the Edoid language group (Elugbe1979). It is a head initial SVO language with an open syllable system with no consonant clusters.
 
  
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With respect to verbal morphology, verbs can be inflected for the purpose of pluralizing nouns they occur with and to mark iteration.
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<phrase>8158</phrase>
  
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Simple sentence: V+plural suffix
 
  
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v-tr-suNom_ag_obThincrem-COMPLETED_MONODEVMT
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9. Multi-verb constructions: consequential serial verb constuction- Present tense
−
+
−
<phrase>7987</phrase>
+
  
 +
<Phrase>20408</Phrase>
  
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<phrase>8159</phrase>
 
  
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Tense and transitivity are marked on the verb either through tonal changes or by affixation of a past tense suffix –rV under appropriate licensing conditions. With plural verbs,the order is the plural suffix before the past suffix.
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10. Multi-verb constructions:consequential serial verb constuction-past tense
  
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Simple sentence: Present tense
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<Phrase>2246</Phrase>
  
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v-intrImplobj-suNom_ag-NONCOMPLETED_MONODEVMT
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The past tense suffix –rV  does not occur with multi-verb constructions with the structure
 +
V (P) +V (P) and V+ mood construction.
  
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<phrase>8157</phrase>
 
  
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Simple sentence: Past tense
 
  
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v-intrImplobj-suNom_ag-COMPLETED_MONODEVMT
 
  
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<phrase>8158</phrase>
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'''==  Multi-verb constructions:Tense,Aspect and Mood  =='''
  
 +
The verbs in series in multi-verb constructions  bear one marking for tense, aspect, mood or negation:
  
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11 multi-verb constructions in Èdó are shown to pattern into four structural types with respect to the distribution of the past tense suffix ''–rV'', an infinitival marker ''yá'', a floating anaphor ''tòbórè'' 'by him/her/it self ', VP adverbs and argument sharing patterns:
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11.Consequential serial verb construction
  
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1. V+ modifier constructions: durational, directional, locational, manner constructions:
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<Phrase>20409</Phrase>
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-rV licensed, infinitival yá not licensed. One verb in the series is reanalyzed as adverb.
+
  
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2. V (P) +V (P) constructions: resultatives, negative resultatives, consequential and covert       
 
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co-ordination constructions: -rV not licensed, infinitival yá not licensed. The verbs in 
 
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series have the same values for Tense, Aspect and Mood (TAM).
 
  
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3. V + mood constructions: purpose constructions: -rV licensed, infinitival yá not licensed.
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12. Resultative serial verb constructions
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V2 has a positive value for MOOD.
+
  
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4. V+ infinitival complement constructions: comitative and instrumental constructions:
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<Phrase>20405</Phrase>
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-rV licensed, infinitival yá licensed and V2 is non-finite.
+
  
 +
13. V+infinitival complement constructions
  
 +
<Phrase>20410</Phrase>
  
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The ''–rV'' suffix also interacts in an interesting way with the temporal structures of multi-verb constructions. Overlapping events license ''–rV'' while non-overlapping events do not
 
  
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The study also examines multi-verb constructions in the following languages of the Niger-Congo: Igbo and Yoruba (Benue-Congo), Gurenne (Oti-Volta), Ga, Baule, Akan and Ewe (Kwa) and situate
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14. covert co-ordination constructions
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properties of Èdó multi-verb constructions within typology common to these languages.
+
  
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ÈDÓ
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<Phrase>20411</Phrase>
  
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Infinitival complement construction
 
  
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ic_suID_suAg-v2tr-v2obThincrem-CAUSE_RESULT
 
−
 
−
<Phrase>2440</Phrase>
 
  
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Consequential SVC
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11 verbal constructions in Èdó are shown to pattern into four structural types with respect to the distribution of the past tense suffix ''–rV'', an infinitival marker ''yá'', a floating anaphor ''tòbórè'' 'by him/her/it self ', VP adverbs and argument sharing patterns. Of the 11 verbal constructions 7 are shown to be multi-verb constructions. In 4 of the constructions one of the verbs in series is shown to be reanalyzed as an adjunct and I label these constructions as V+modifier constructions.With respect to syntactic behavoiur they behave like simple sentences.
  
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sv_suObID_suAg-v1tr-v1obAff-v2intr-v2obThincrem-CAUSE_RESULT
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15. V+modifier constuctions
−
+
−
<Phrase>2246</Phrase>
+
  
  
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IGBO
+
<phrase>2441</phrase>
  
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Commutative SVC
 
  
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sv_suID_suAg-v1tr-v1obTh-v2intr-DIRECTED_MOTION
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The distribution and structural types of the multi-verb constructions are as follows:
  
−
<Phrase>2694</Phrase>
+
A. V (P) +V (P) constructions: resultatives SVCs, consequential SVCs, negative resultatives and covert co-ordination constructions: -rV not licensed, infinitival yá not licensed. The verbs in 
 +
series have the same values for Tense, Aspect and Mood (TAM).
  
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AKAN
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B. V + mood constructions: purpose serial verb constructions: -rV licensed, infinitival yá not licensed. V2 has a positive value for MOOD.
  
−
Clause chaining SVC (CCSVC)
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C. V+ infinitival complement constructions: comitative and instrumental constructions:
 +
-rV licensed, infinitival yá licensed and V2 is non-finite.
  
−
sv-Implobj_suObAspID_suAg-v1tr-v1obAff-v2tr-v2obThincrem-CAUSE_RESULT
 
−
 
−
<Phrase>2738</Phrase>
 
  
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YORUBA
+
Reanalyzed V+ modifier constructions:
  
−
Commutative SVC
+
D. V+ modifier constructions: durational, directional, locational, manner constructions:
 +
-rV licensed, infinitival yá not licensed. One verb in the series is reanalyzed as adverb.
  
−
sv_suID_suAg-v1tr-v1obTh-v2intr-DIRECTED_MOTION
 
  
−
<Phrase>2719</Phrase>
+
The ''–rV'' suffix also interacts in an interesting way with the temporal structures of multi-verb constructions. Overlapping events license ''–rV'' while non-overlapping events do not[http://www.ling.hf.ntnu.no/tross/ogie.pdf](Ogie 2004)
  
−
EWE
 
  
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Complement/embedded clause construction
 
  
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cec-v1intr-v1suAg-v2tr-v2suAff-v2obThincrem-CAUSE_RESULT
+
'''== Schema for multi-verb constructions in Èdó =='''
−
   
+
−
<Phrase>2691</Phrase>
+
  
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BAULE
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Two schemas are posited to account for  Èdó multi-verb constructions:
  
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Empty Subject Constraint (ESC)
 
  
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esc_suID_suAg-v1tr-v1obThincrem-v2tr-v2obAff-CAUSE_RESULT
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i.Verb-serial-compl (ement)-phrase with a complementation structure for the
 +
  V (P) +V (P) resultative and V+infinitival complement constructions.
  
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<Phrase>2757</Phrase>
 
  
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GURENNE
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ii.Serial-mod-phrase with an adjunction structure for V+mood constructions, V+modifier
 +
  constructions and V (P) +V (P); consequential, purpose, and negative resultative 
 +
  constructions.
  
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Theme SVC
+
properties of Èdó multi-verb constructions are situated within the typology of the following
 +
languages of the Niger-Congo: Igbo and Yoruba (Benue-Congo), Gurenne (Oti-Volta), Ga, Baule, Akan and Ewe (Kwa)
 +
[[A typology of multi-verb constructions in some languages of the Niger-Congo]]
  
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sv-suObID_suAg_obTh-v1tr-v2tr- PLACEMENT
 
  
−
<Phrase>2749</Phrase>
+
An Èdó GrammarMatrix is being constructed based on the analysis of Ogie(2009)[[An Edo MatrixGrammar]].
  
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Ga
 
  
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Extended Verb Construction
 
−
 
−
ev_ditr_suObID_suAg_obTh-pv1tr-vditr-iobEndpossessor-TRANSFER
 
−
 
−
<Phrase>2747</Phrase>
 
−
 
−
Multi-verbs identified include SVCs in all the languages discussed, consecutive constructions and overlapping constructions in Ewe and covert co-ordination in  Èdó, Igbo and Baule. Typological features used for identification include:
 
−
tense, mood, aspect, negation, adverb distribution, predicate cleft and argument sharing patterns. The findings show that the typological features of a language determine the type of multi-verb construction it licenses. Also while, inflection may demarcate multi-verb types within a language, the pattern observed for a language may not map onto another language.
 
−
 
−
With respect to argument sharing, the following types are discussed; token sharing of subjects; switch sharing; overt reference sharing of subjects; covert reference sharing of subjects; token sharing of objects ; overt reference sharing of objects and covert sharing of objects. 
 
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The patterns found in the languages studied support the claim that languages with rich verbal agreement features allow recoverability of unexpressed arguments and tend to license null subjects and objects.
 
−
Object sharing patterns show asymmetry with respect to switch sharing and reference sharing. Languages that have overt reference subject sharing patterns do not have switch sharing (Ewe, Ga and Baule) while those that do not, tend to employ token/covert reference sharing of subjects and switch sharing (Èdó, Yoruba and Akan).This is buttressed by data from Attie and Likpe closely related languages to these languages. With respect to object sharing, these languages that do not have switch sharing all have covert sharing of objects, while those that have, do not have covert sharing of objects.  Èdó belongs to the type that does not have overt reference sharing of subjects and tend to employ token sharing of subjects and switch sharing. For object sharing,  Èdó does not have covert sharing of objects and employs mainly token sharing of objects.In particular, object sharing in multi-verb constructions in  Èdó is analyzed as token sharing by grammatical function.
 
−
 
−
Two schemas are posited to account for  Èdó multi-verb constructions:
 
−
 
−
1.Verb-serial-compl (ement)-phrase with a complementation structure for the  V (P) +V (P) resultative and V+infinitival complement constructions.
 
  
−
2.Serial-mod-phrase with an adjunction structure for V+mood constructions, V+modifier constructions and V (P) +V (P); consequential, purpose, and negative resultative  constructions.
+
== [[References for research on Èdó language by Ota Ogie]] ==
−
[[Category:Èdó]]
+

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By

Ota Ogie

Researcher affiliated with the Department of Language and Communication Studies.

NTNU - e-mail:ota.ogie@hf.ntnu.no

(alternatively you can use the TC-internal e-mail to contact me)


== Introduction ==


This study examines multi-verb constructions in Èdó (a Benue-Congo language) with the aim of identifying and classifying them and their argument sharing patterns. Èdó is spoken in Èdó state in Mid-Western Nigeria and belongs to the Edoid language group (Elugbe 1979). It is a head initial SVO language with an open syllable system with no consonant clusters.

We draw main background assumptions from the following sources; implemented Head-Driven Phrase Structure Grammars for Norwegian (Hellan 2003) and Ga (Hellan 2007) a Kwa language spoken in Ghana; an HPSG account of argument realization patterns (Beermann, Hellan and Sætherø 2003); and a theory of event structure template (Pustejovsky 1995, 2006).

Multi-verb constructions provide useful insight into the question of how languages distinguish between adjunction and complementation. The term multi-verb constructions is defined as consisting of verbs in series that can function as independent verbs in simple sentences, with at least one shared argument and no marking of syntactic dependency (cf. Ameka 2005:2). They include SVCs, covert co-ordination and V+ infinitival complement constructions (Ogie 2009):


1. Consequential Serial verb construction

Òzó lé ìzẹ̣̣̣̣̣́ khiẹ̣̣̣̣́n
“Ozo cooked rice and sold”
Òzó
òzó
OzoSBJAGT
Np
lé
lé
cookIVH
V
ìzẹ̣̣̣̣̣́
ìzẹ̣̣̣̣̣́
rice.AFFDO
N
khiẹ̣̣̣̣́n
khiẹ̣̣̣̣́n
sellIVH
V


2. Covert co-ordination

Òzó gbọ̣̣̣̣̀ọ̣̣̣̣́ ívìn , bòló òká
“Ozo planted cooconut and peeled corn”
Òzó
òzó
OzoSBJAGT
Np
gbọ̣̣̣̣̀ọ̣̣̣̣́
gbọ̣̣̣̣̀ọ̣̣̣̣́
plantPASTH
Vtr
ívìn
ívìn
coconut.AFFDO
CN
,bòló
,bòló
peelPASTH
Vtr
òká
òká
cornDOTH
CN


3. V+infinitival complement construction


Íràn kùgbé-rè tòbíràn rrí ízẹ̣̣̣̣̀
“They ate the rice together by themselves”
Íràn
íràn
They3PLNOMSBJAGT
Np
kùgbérè
kùgbé-rè
jointogetherPASTRT
Vtr
tòbíràn
tòbíràn
by.themselves3PLREFLACC
 
rrí
rrí
eat
Vtr
ízẹ̣̣̣̣̀
ízẹ̣̣̣̣̀
riceDOTH
CN



== Verbal Morphology ==

With respect to verbal morphology, verbs in simple and multi-verb constructions can be inflected for the purpose of pluralizing nouns they occur with and to mark iteration.

Simple sentence: V+plural suffix


4.
Òzó gbẹ̣̣̣̣̀n-nẹ̣̣̣̣́ èbé
“Ozo wrote a book”
Òzó
òzó
OzoSBJAGT
Np
gbẹ̣̣̣̣̀n-nẹ̣̣̣̣́
gbẹ̣̣̣̣̀nnẹ̣̣̣̣́
writeIVPLH
Vtr
èbé
èbé
bookDOTH
CN



5.
Ọ̣̣̣̣̀ gbẹ̣̣̣̣̀n-nẹ̣̣̣̣́ èbé
“He/she wrote books”
Ọ̣̣̣̣̀
ọ̣̣̣̣̀
3SGSBJNOMAGT
PN
gbẹ̣̣̣̣̀nnẹ̣̣̣̣́
gbẹ̣̣̣̣̀nnẹ̣̣̣̣́
writePLIVH
V
èbé
èbé
bookDOTH
CN



multi-verb constructions : consequential serial verb construction

V+plural suffix NP V+plural suffix

6.
Òzó gbẹ̀nnẹ́ èbé khiẹ̀nnẹ́
“Ozo wrote books and sold”
Òzó
òzó
OzoSBJAGT
Np
gbẹ̀n
gbẹ̀n
writePAST
Vtr
nẹ́
nẹ́
PL
 
èbé
èbé
bookDOTH
CN
khiẹ̀n
khiẹ̀n
sellPAST
Vtr
nẹ́
nẹ́
PL
 


Tense and transitivity are marked on the verb either through tonal changes or by affixation of a past tense suffix –rV under appropriate licensing conditions. With plural verbs,the order is the plural suffix before the past suffix.

7. Simple sentence: Present tense

Ọ̣̣̣̣̀ gbẹ̣̣̣̣́n
“He/she is writing”
Ọ̣̣̣̣̀
ọ̣̣̣̣̀
3SGSBJNOMAGT
PN
gbẹ̣̣̣̣́n
gbẹ̣̣̣̣́n
writePRESH
Vtr


8. Simple sentence: Past tense


Ọ̣̣̣̣̀ gbẹ̣̣̣̣̀n-nẹ̣̣̣̣́-rè
“He/she wrote several times”
Ọ̣̣̣̣̀
ọ̣̣̣̣̀
3SGNOMSBJAGT
PN
gbẹ̣̣̣̣̀nnẹ̣̣̣̣́rè
gbẹ̣̣̣̣̀nnẹ̣̣̣̣̣̣̣̣̣́rè
writePLIVRT
Vtr


9. Multi-verb constructions: consequential serial verb constuction- Present tense

Òzó lè ìzẹ̣̣̣̣̣́ rè
“Ozo cooks rice and eats”
Òzó
òzó
OzoSBJAGT
Np
lè
lè
cookPRESL
Vtr
ìzẹ̣̣̣̣̣́
ìzẹ̣̣̣̣̣́
riceDOTH
CN
rè
rè
eatPRESL
Vtr


10. Multi-verb constructions:consequential serial verb constuction-past tense

Òzó lé ìzẹ́ ré
“Ozo cooked rice and ate”
Òzó
òzó
OzoSBJAGT
Np
lé
lé
cookPASTH
Vtr
ìzẹ́
ìzẹ́
riceDOTH
CN
ré
ré
eatPASTH
Vtr


The past tense suffix –rV does not occur with multi-verb constructions with the structure V (P) +V (P) and V+ mood construction.



== Multi-verb constructions:Tense,Aspect and Mood ==

The verbs in series in multi-verb constructions bear one marking for tense, aspect, mood or negation:

11.Consequential serial verb construction

Òzó ghá gbẹ̀n èbé khiẹ̀n
“Ozo will write books and sell”
Òzó
òzó
OzoSBJAGT
Np
ghá
ghá
FUT
 
gbẹ̀n
gbẹ̀n
write
Vtr
èbé
èbé
bookDOTH
CN
khiẹ̀n
khiẹ̀n
sell
Vtr


12. Resultative serial verb constructions

Òzó má suá Àzàrí dé
“Ozo did not push Azari down”
Òzó
òzó
OzoSBJAGT
Np
má
má
notNEG
 
suá
suá
pushPASTH
Vtr
Àzàrí
àzàrí
Azari.AFFDO
Np
dé
dé
buyIVH
Vtr


13. V+infinitival complement constructions

Íràn kùgbé-rè (yá ) tòbíràn rrí ízẹ̣̣̣̣̀
“They ate the rice together by themselves”
Íràn
íràn
AFF3PL
PN
kùgbérè
kùgbérè
joinIVRT
Vtr
yá
yá
INF
 
tòbíràn
tòbíràn
by.themselves3PLREFLACC
 
rrí
rrí
eat
Vtr
ízẹ̣̣̣̣̀
ízẹ̣̣̣̣̀
riceDOTH
CN


14. covert co-ordination constructions

Òzó ghá gbẹ̀n èbé ẹ́rẹ̀ná khiẹ̀n ọ̀rén vbé ákhuẹ̣̣̣̣̀
“Ozo will write a book today and sell it tomorrow”
Òzó
òzó
OzoSBJAGT
Np
ghá
ghá
FUT
 
gbẹ̀n
gbẹ̀n
writePRESL
Vtr
èbé
èbé
bookDOTH
CN
ẹ́rẹ̀ná
ẹ́rẹ̀ná
todayATV
N
khiẹ̀n
khiẹ̀n
sellPRESL
Vtr
ọ̀rén
ọ̀rén
3SGACCDOTH
 
vbé
vbé
in
PREP
ákhuẹ̣̣̣̣̀
ákhuẹ̣̣̣̣̀
tomorrowATV
N



11 verbal constructions in Èdó are shown to pattern into four structural types with respect to the distribution of the past tense suffix –rV, an infinitival marker yá, a floating anaphor tòbórè 'by him/her/it self ', VP adverbs and argument sharing patterns. Of the 11 verbal constructions 7 are shown to be multi-verb constructions. In 4 of the constructions one of the verbs in series is shown to be reanalyzed as an adjunct and I label these constructions as V+modifier constructions.With respect to syntactic behavoiur they behave like simple sentences.

15. V+modifier constuctions


Òzó rhùlé ̣rè làọ̣̣̣̣́ òwá
“Ozo ran into the house”
Òzó
òzó
ozoSBJAGT
Np
rhùlẹ̣̣̣̣́rè
rhùlẹ̣̣̣̣́rè
runIVRT
Vitr
làọ̣̣̣̣́
làọ̣̣̣̣́
enter.V>P
PREP
òwá
òwá
houseGOAL
N


The distribution and structural types of the multi-verb constructions are as follows:

A. V (P) +V (P) constructions: resultatives SVCs, consequential SVCs, negative resultatives and covert co-ordination constructions: -rV not licensed, infinitival yá not licensed. The verbs in series have the same values for Tense, Aspect and Mood (TAM).

B. V + mood constructions: purpose serial verb constructions: -rV licensed, infinitival yá not licensed. V2 has a positive value for MOOD.

C. V+ infinitival complement constructions: comitative and instrumental constructions: -rV licensed, infinitival yá licensed and V2 is non-finite.


Reanalyzed V+ modifier constructions:

D. V+ modifier constructions: durational, directional, locational, manner constructions: -rV licensed, infinitival yá not licensed. One verb in the series is reanalyzed as adverb.


The –rV suffix also interacts in an interesting way with the temporal structures of multi-verb constructions. Overlapping events license –rV while non-overlapping events do not[1](Ogie 2004)


== Schema for multi-verb constructions in Èdó ==

Two schemas are posited to account for Èdó multi-verb constructions:


i.Verb-serial-compl (ement)-phrase with a complementation structure for the 

  V (P) +V (P) resultative and V+infinitival complement constructions.


ii.Serial-mod-phrase with an adjunction structure for V+mood constructions, V+modifier 

 constructions and V (P) +V (P); consequential, purpose, and negative resultative  
 constructions.

properties of Èdó multi-verb constructions are situated within the typology of the following languages of the Niger-Congo: Igbo and Yoruba (Benue-Congo), Gurenne (Oti-Volta), Ga, Baule, Akan and Ewe (Kwa) A typology of multi-verb constructions in some languages of the Niger-Congo


An Èdó GrammarMatrix is being constructed based on the analysis of Ogie(2009)An Edo MatrixGrammar.


References for research on Èdó language by Ota Ogie

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