Сomparative analysis of morphemic and submorhemic neutralizations in Bantu pronominal paradigms (what they are for, and what they say about the language change)

Abstract

This paper deals with a comparative analysis of the distribution of morphemic and submorphemic neutralizations in pronominal paradigms of the Bantu languages from different zones distributed into three geographical areas and Proto-Bantu reconstruction. The analysis shows that the neutralizations are not “occasional”, but rather systematic. Morphemic and submorphemic neutralizations are often in additional distribution, the more morphemic neutralizations in the paradigm, the less submorphemic ones. It is often important for paradigms to keep the structure of oppositions and neutralizations rather than the forms. All the neutralizations (1/2, 2/3, sg/pl) take place in all the languages despite the difference in forms. Sometimes 1/2 and 2/3 neutralizations are realized in cascade form (Basaa). It shows that all these neutralizations are crucially important to the ‘glue’ of pronominal paradigms. 1 sg tends to be in opposition to other pronouns and very seldom participates in neutralizations. 3rd person is “responsible” for sg/pl neutralization, plural — for 1/2 neutralization, 2/3 is distributed in both sg. and pl. 1/2 neutralization tends to be submorphemic, while other types of neutralizations can be both morphemic and submorphemic. Refs 11. Tables 3.