Locative prepositions in Space and Time : Mmen Language. A Central Ring Grassfields Bantu Language
Issue Date:
2013
Sponsored By:
Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation
Extent:
62 pages
Abstract:
This thesis provides an analysis of the linguistic expression of spatial and temporal relations
in Mmen, a Niger-Congo language spoken in Bafumen, in the North West Region of
Cameroon.
Linguistic means of expressing spatial relations are surveyed in usage and in grammatical
structure, and categorized according to the patterns found. Locative prepositions and usages
are compared with directional and temporal expressions, and the use of spatial motion
words and constructions to express motion and relations in time is described and discussed.
The data was elicited in the field, using both pictorial stimuli (Bowerman & Pederson 1992)
and translation tasks.
Amongst the salient results was that tonal patterns can be the only distinction in realization
of a preposition, and that the conceptualization of “front” and “back” can show the reverse
pattern from that in English.
The paper is based on my bachelor thesis “Space and Time in Mmen”, which was published
through Lund University 2013. Minor changes have been done in language and formatting.
Description:
This paper, which covers spatial semantics and temporal motion in Mmen, gives an
introduction to the way native speakers of Mmen view space in static and directional terms,
and describes views of temporal motion (see 3.2.4).
Publication Status:
Published
Table of Contents:
1 Introduction -- Theoretical framework -- Introduction to the language of space and time -- Definitions of terms -- Aim and objectives -- The Mmen language in context -- Language Classification -- Language situation in Cameroon -- Language situation in Bafumen -- Mmen language structure -- Orthography and glossing in this paper -- Previous research -- Structure of this thesis -- Method -- Language consultants and places -- Data collection and analysis -- Structured elicitation using pictures -- Tone elicitation -- Elicitation of translation equivalents -- Verification of examples -- Results and Discussion -- Stative relations -- General locative (simple preposition) -- Specific locations and Dimensions in space -- Frames of reference -- Dynamic relations -- Directional motion -- Moving Ego -- Moving Time -- Temporal frame of reference -- Conclusion -- References
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Entry Number:
61354