Encoding tense and aspect in Nguu verbs

Abstract

This research looks into the encoding of tense and aspect (TA) in Nguu, a lesser-studied Bantu language spoken in Tanzania, with the goal of improving descriptive and theoretical understanding of Bantu verbal morphology. Nguu makes a particularly strong case, demonstrating a variety of ways for identifying temporal and aspectual distinctions, such as pre-root, post-root, combination, and null-marked forms. The study's data were gathered using a combination of direct elicitation, organised translation tasks, and verb paradigm exercises, as well as naturalistic observation of spontaneous speech and storytelling. The fragmentation approach was used to analyse verb forms and their constituent morphemes to determine the distribution and function of TAM markers, where the analysis reveals that TAM markers are systematically distributed among different verbal morphemes. The data show that Nguu separates the recent and distant past using pre-root na-/ne- and post-root -ag markers, respectively, but present and future forms frequently use both pre- and post-root morphemes. Continuous and perfective aspects are typically conveyed using the auxiliary verb '-nd-' in conjunction with subject markers and consecutive morphemes, indicating a cumulative approach to temporal and aspectual decoding. Null marking is seen in present perfect forms, indicating a reliance on subject markers and contextual information rather than overt morphology. Furthermore, future tense forms use subjunctive marking, showing the connection between temporal reference and modality. These patterns demonstrate the adaptability and functional clarity of Nguu verbal morphology while also challenging rigid typological beliefs regarding Bantu TAM systems. Overall, this study emphasises the significance of underdescribed languages in developing typological and theoretical descriptions of tenses and aspects. The study recommends future studies with a broader empirical scope that include diverse Nguu-speaking communities to capture possible dialectical variations in encoding the tenseaspect. It also recommends comparative studies with related Bantu and Niger-Congo languages to better situate Nguu within the typology of tense and aspect systems.