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University of Cape Town ‘Cutting’ and ‘Breaking’ Events in Akan Dorothy Pokua AGYEPONG Thesis presented for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Linguistics UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN 29th October 2017 University of Cape Town Supervisors: A/Prof. Heather Brookes Prof. E. Kweku Osam Dr. Matthias Brenzinger The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgement of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Published by the University of Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University of Cape Town Declaration I declare that “Cutting and Breaking Events in Akan” is my own work. Each significant contribution to, and quotation in this thesis from the work or works of other people has been attributed, cited and referenced. Signature: Date: 29th October, 2017 signature removed i Dedication Jay (My number one cheerleader. Thanks for believing in me!) Nana Owiredu (Guess what! Mommy finally finished her ‘homework’!) Menhyira (‘Lil’Miss.Thanks for the blessings you came along with) The Yeboah Agyepongs (Thanks for being there for ‘us’!) Mr. Adusei (Boye, You are such an awesome dad!) To all those who have supported me throughout the years; ‘This is for you!’ ii Abstract This study investigates the grammar and semantics of verbs that describe separation events in Asante Twi (Akan), a Kwa (Niger-Congo) language spoken in Ghana. It adopts a constructionist perspective combined with a monosemic bias in the analysis. It assumes that contextual interpretations are derived from the interaction of the prototypical meanings of verbs and their arguments. A multi-method approach was used in data gathering: (i) compilation of verbs that code separation as well as sentences in which they are used from literary texts (bibles, and novels) and dictionaries. (ii) Descriptions of separation activities elicited using video-stimuli (Bohnemeyer et al. 2001), 61 video clips depicting cutting and breaking events (fieldmanuals.mpi.nl) supplemented by 82 clips created by the author involving culturally appropriate objects (Agyepong 2015). (iii) Spontaneous narratives, and procedural discourses about cultural events/practices involving separation e.g. cooking, palm-wine tapping. (iv) Introspection based on the author’s native speaker intuitions. The main finding of the thesis is that there are two central verbs in the separation domain in Akan: twá ‘to cut’ and bú ‘to break’. There are in addition more specialized verbs for specific types of object separation, e.g. nú ‘harvest palm fruit by poking with a bladed instrument’ or pòrò ‘to pluck fruit’. The choice of a particular verb in context is determined by parameters such as: instrument involvement, manner of separation, physical properties of entities as well as the end-state result of the situation. Crucially, the thesis further addresses the challenge of how to account for the interpretation of the typical and atypical argument realization patterns associated with the separation verbs. It shows how constructional meanings contribute to the interpretation of collocations of the verbs. Other principles such as coercion, addition and suppression of components in the lexical semantics of the verbs and its arguments as well as cultural implicatures are invoked in the compositional process of calculating the contextual interpretations. iii Acknowledgements “When we become more fully aware that our success is due in large measure to the loyalty, helpfulness, and encouragement we have received from others, our desire grows to pass on similar gifts. Gratitude spurs us on to prove ourselves worthy of what others have done for us. The spirit of gratitude is a powerful energizer.” Wilferd A. Peterson This journey, which begun on January 16, 2015 has been long and exciting, yet very challenging and emotionally draining. I have enjoyed immeasurable support from my supervisors, colleagues, family and friends. The writing of this thesis would not have been possible without positive contributions from these amazing people. First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my family for consistently supporting and praying for me throughout these periods. I am particularly grateful to my husband, Jeffrey Y. Agyepong for being there for me through it all. Thanks for listening to my constant complaints about this thesis and the challenges that came along with it. Thanks for constantly reminding me that giving up was not an option. I would also like to appreciate the entire Yeboah Agyepong family for taking care of my two little angels (who were 2 years and 10 months as at the time I embarked on this journey). The thought of knowing that my children were in good hands kept me focused throughout the years. I appreciate all the sacrifices you made to ensure that the children were well taken care of. I couldn’t have wished for a better family. To my two little angels; Nana Owiredu and Menhyira Adutwumwaa Agyepong, thank you very much for understanding mummy’s situation and allowing her to stay far from you for this long. A special thanks to my father, Mr. Michael Adusei, for constantly checking up on me and dropping little words of encouragements whenever things got tough. I could not have gotten this far without you dad. Thanks for all the sacrifices. To my mother; Patricia Fobi Banor, I am truly grateful for the support you have given me all these years. It is my hope that all other relatives and loved ones who have supported and prayed for me during this PhD period, will find the deepest expression of the gratitude they deserve here. I was privileged to work under the guidance and supervision of Prof. Heather Brookes (University of Cape Town), Prof. E. Kweku Osam (University of Ghana) and Dr. Felix Ameka iv (Leiden University Centre for Linguistics-The Netherlands). This trio did not only provide constructive criticisms and feedbacks on drafts, but they also served as mentors, providing professional guidance throughout the writing process. I can confidently affirm that I have been adequately prepared to face the academic world just by working under the supervision of these exceptional scholars. I also thank Dr. Matthias Brenzinger for his contributions during the early stages of my PhD research. My sincerest gratitude goes to all the consultants I used in this project. A big thank you to my main consultants: Nana Osei Yaw (Dabrehene of Asante Bekwai), Opanyin Kwadwo Asiama, Opanyin Kwasi Toffuor, Opanyin Daniel Kwasi Kyei, Opanyin Kwabena Appiah-Kubi, Ms. Ana Gyamfua Kudjoe, Obaapanyin Cecilia Akua Adutwumwaa Kudjoe (Ɔbaasԑm), Mrs. Adelaide Yeboah Agyepong and Ms. Patricia Fobi Banor. Thank you for granting me the permission to shoot my C&B videos in your homes and farms. I really appreciate your patience and dedication throughout the interview sessions. I am also grateful to Nana Asante Agyapong (II) (Saamanhene of Bekwai) for making it possible for me to have access to the Bekwai palace. I am most indebted to Mrs. Adelaide Yeboah Agyepong and Ms. Patricia Fobi Banor for allowing me to use them in my C&B videos. The elicitation would not have been possible without them. The videos created in Accra were filmed by Michael Kweku Adu-Yeboah (MKAY), thumbs up, Bro! Dr. Richmond Kwesi, I am really grateful for assisting me with the cutting of the C&B videos into short clips. I would also like to appreciate these lecturers from the Department of Linguistics, University of Ghana, who have been helpful throughout the writing of this thesis; Prof. Nana Aba Appiah- Amfo, Prof. Kofi K. Saah, Dr. Clement K. Appah, Dr. Evershed Amuzu, Dr. Yvonne Agbetsoamedo, Dr. George Akanlig-Pare, Dr. Reginald Duah, Dr. Obadele Kambon. I appreciate all the encouragements and assistance you provided. I am also grateful to you all for giving me the opportunity to present my preliminary findings at your departmental seminar on January 13, 2016. Your constructive feedback and comments contributed to the quality of this thesis. This whole project would not have been possible without financial support from CALDi (Centre for African Language Diversity, University of Cape Town); a centre established in 2013 with funding from the AW Mellon Foundation. I am most indebted to the AW Mellon Foundation for giving me this funding opportunity through CALDi. v I also received additional financial assistance from Lestrade and the International Students and Refugee Scholarships (Postgraduate Funding office, University of Cape Town). My two-month study abroad in Leiden University Centre for Linguistics was jointly funded by the Faculty of Humanities and Max&Lillie Sonneberg Scholarship for International Travel (Postgraduate Funding Office, University of Cape Town). I am grateful to Prof. Sakhela Buhlungu, Prof. Harry Garuba and Prof. Ana Deumert for making it possible for me to secure the funds for this trip. My second study abroad program, at the University of Grenoble-Alps, was funded by the Seventh Framework Program for Research and Technological Development Marie Curie IRSES (Internatioal Research Staff Exchange Scheme GEST_LAN_D PIRSES-GA-2013-612563). I am extremely grateful to Prof. Heather Brookes for making this second trip possible. During the writing period, I was blessed with great friends who supported me in diverse ways. Friends like Carolyn Le Tang, Portia Adade Williams and Chantel Reed, were always ready to hold me up whenever the road got bumpy. I simply could not have survived all the pressures without you all. Dr. David Barasa not only served as a source of encouragement during the challenging times, but he also read and commented on all my chapter drafts. His constant “You can do it. When am I getting the next chapter?” pushed me to work harder. Margaret Khonga (Maya), thanks for all the ‘girlie times’ we spent together.
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