TY - JOUR

T1 - (A)symmetries in imperative negation in Eastern Bantu

AU - Van Olmen, Daniel

AU - Devos, Maud

AU - Radulescu, Valentin

PY - 2023/12/31

Y1 - 2023/12/31

N2 - This article applies the analytical framework of (a)symmetry, previously used for standard negation , to imperative negation in Eastern Bantu. It is shown, based on a 106-language sample, to exhibit asymmetries similar to standard negation, sometimes contrary to earlier claims (e.g. finiteness), as well as specific to the negation domain under investigation (e.g. intersubjectivity). Eastern Bantu imperative negation is also revealed to be asymmetric in ways not attested in standard negation (e.g. realis negative with irrealis positive, neutralization from negative to positive). In view of these findings, the article makes a case against general functional motivations of the type proposed for standard negation asymmetries in the literature. Instead, it contends , on the one hand, that more specific explanations may be needed (e.g. the relative insignificance of directional marking in negative imperatives) and, on the other hand, that diachrony accounts for most asymmetry in imperative negation. It is argued that the diachronic instability of negative imperatives, compared to imperatives and due to factors like frequency and politeness , produces a greater variety of constructions, which need not be connected to their positive equivalents and can therefore give rise to asymmetry.

AB - This article applies the analytical framework of (a)symmetry, previously used for standard negation , to imperative negation in Eastern Bantu. It is shown, based on a 106-language sample, to exhibit asymmetries similar to standard negation, sometimes contrary to earlier claims (e.g. finiteness), as well as specific to the negation domain under investigation (e.g. intersubjectivity). Eastern Bantu imperative negation is also revealed to be asymmetric in ways not attested in standard negation (e.g. realis negative with irrealis positive, neutralization from negative to positive). In view of these findings, the article makes a case against general functional motivations of the type proposed for standard negation asymmetries in the literature. Instead, it contends , on the one hand, that more specific explanations may be needed (e.g. the relative insignificance of directional marking in negative imperatives) and, on the other hand, that diachrony accounts for most asymmetry in imperative negation. It is argued that the diachronic instability of negative imperatives, compared to imperatives and due to factors like frequency and politeness , produces a greater variety of constructions, which need not be connected to their positive equivalents and can therefore give rise to asymmetry.

U2 - 10.2143/AL.29.0.3292608

DO - 10.2143/AL.29.0.3292608

M3 - Journal article

VL - 29

SP - 179

EP - 222

JO - Africana Linguistica

JF - Africana Linguistica

SN - 2033-8732

ER -