Effects of Relativization on the Morpho-syntactic Structure of the Runyambo Verb

Abstract

This article intends to move a step beyond brief description of subjectand object relativization provided in the grammar of Runyambo (cf.Rugemalira, 2005: 101-103). It aims at describing the formation ofrelative clauses in Runyambo and it specifically analyses the effects ofrelativization of different grammatical functions (GFs) of the morphosyntacticstructure of the Runyambo verb. Descriptive research designwas used in conjunction with a qualitative approach in data collectionand analysis of findings. Ten (10) respondents were purposively selectedto inform the study. The findings included (i) the relativization of thesubject NP nominalises the verb; (ii) the relativization process alters theposition of tense markers within the relative verbs for the presentcontinuous, and the immediate future tenses; and (iii) the relativizationof different GFs changes the present continuous and immediate futuretense marker ' ni ' ' is/are ' , and the remote past tense marker ' ka ' (P3) into ' ri-ku ' ' is/are ' and á (P1) €¦Ã­re (P2), respectively.