Clausal Complementation in Dizin

Abstract

This paper examines clausal complementation in Dizin, one of the least studied languages in the Southwest part of Ethiopia. The study focuses on the Maji dialect. It describes clausal complements and their functions in light of Noonan (2007) and others’ cross-linguistic observation. The study follows a qualitative research approach based on basic linguistic theory, which advocates the description of a language on its own properties. The data were collected using elicitation from key consultants and from natural texts like fables in Maji district. The findings show that Dizin has finite, infinitive and nominalized complement clauses. The study also shows that the position of these complement clauses is fixed, that is, clausal complements occur left-adjacent to the matrix predicate. The study further shows that finite complement clause and nominalized complement clauses occur in object and subject slots, while infinitive complement clause appears only in object slot. Moreover, it is found that Dizin is right-headed language in the typology of clausal complementation. 

Keywords [Clause, predicate, complementation, slot]