The Behavior Of Non-Terms In Shaba Swahili A Relational Approach

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to examine the behavior of Non-Terms in Shaba Swahili within the framework of Relational Grammar. The behavior of Non-Terms will be discussed with reference to several syntactic processes such as Passivization, Relativization, Raising, and the interaction of these processes in simple as well as complex sentences. We will argue that (1) Non-Terms in Swahili can be relativized and passivized; (2) Non-Terms, like Terms, can undergo direct Passivization and Relativization. That is they can be promoted to subject position without undergoing locative instrumental to 3 to 2 to 1 advancement; (3) Non-Terms can relativize intersentencially in complex passive and relative clauses and still control agreement in the embedded clause; (4) Passivization and Relativization of Non-Terms move the whole locative/ instrumental phrase; and (5) a resumptive pronoun is obligatorily retained only in cases that involve Relativization of instruments.