Aspects of verbal morphophonology of Cilenge with special reference to negation and tense markers

Abstract

Negation and tense markers in the verb structure have been the subject of diverse linguistic descriptions, especially in Bantu languages. In Mozambique, however, many Bantu languages, including Cilenge, have not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to examine tense and negation in Cilenge, with special reference to the strategies used to indicate negation and various tenses, from data collected in the Valenge community in Chidenguele, Manjacaze district, Gaza province. The study has shown that this language has wide categories of the past, while the future may be closer or distant and the present appears as focused, habitual, continuous and progressive. The variation and positioning of tense markers are mainly determined by the characteristics of the verb root. In relation to negation, Cilenge employs three strategies: the negative concord, the post-initial and the post-verbal. In some contexts, negative markers may also signal tense.