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Semantic invariance, locating process and alterity: a TOPE-based analysis of the verbal prefix z- in Ikwere

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2003

SYLVESTER N. OSU
SYLVESTER N. OSU
Affiliation:
LLACAN (UMR 8135 – CNRS, Paris VII, INALCO), Paris
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Abstract

This article first outlines the theory of the predicative and enunciative operations (TOPE) developed by Antoine Culioli and his associates. It then shows how this theory enables one to analyse such linguistic units as the verbal prefix z- in Ikwere, spoken in Nigeria, and, more precisely, the way they operate in the language. We find that behind the various uses of z- is an invariant meaning element which consists of introducing a ranking between p and p′, i.e., two constituent values of a given unorganized notional domain, such that the domain is finally organized. It is further argued that the TAM (Tense-Aspect-Modality) category, which z- is related to, is constructed by the utterance in which z- occurs.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Linguistics , Volume 39 , Issue 3 , November 2003 , pp. 521 - 574
Copyright
2003 Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

I would like to thank the three anonymous JL referees of this paper for their useful comments. Any remaining shortcomings are entirely my own responsibility.