Gichohi, Stella Nyanjugu (2023) TENSE, ASPECT AND MOOD IN BANTU LANGUAGES (SWAHILI, KIKUYU AND KINYARWANDA. Masters thesis, Faculty of Humanity.

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Abstract

This study explores the syntactic, morphological, and semantic similarities and
differences in the expression of tense, aspect, and modality in three Bantu languages: Swahili,
Kikuyu, and Kinyarwanda. The research was conducted in three stages: data collection,
selection, and classification. Notes were recorded from three native speakers of each language
who utilized one of the languages in their daily lives and had extensive experience living in
regions where the language is predominantly spoken. The analysis of the gathered data
employed a combination of syntactic and parametric approaches. Additionally, the
introspective method was utilised, and semantic features were examined to enhance the
comprehensive understanding of the linguistic phenomena under investigation. The primary
focus was on the time references, aspectual markers and the mood in these languages.
This study's findings revealed similarities and differences in how Swahili, Kikuyu, and
Kinyarwanda languages express temporal reference, aspect, and mood. Microparametric
patterns of morphosyntax were identified as shared characteristics in all three languages.
While certain similarities were observed in the division of past time references and aspectual
marking across the languages, notable differences emerged in these aspects as well as in the
expression of mood. These variations contribute to a richer understanding of the linguistic
diversity within the Bantu language family.
By examining the syntactic, morphological, and semantic dimensions of tense, aspect,
and modality, this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on Bantu languages.
The findings shed light on the intricate nature of language structure and usage, showing a
need to study closely related languages like Swahili, Kikuyu and Kinyarwanda. Identifying
and describing both similarities and differences in the expression of tense, aspect, and
modality in Swahili, Kikuyu, and Kinyarwanda offer valuable insights into language variation
and the parameters that shape these language systems.

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