Properties of applied objects in Kiswahili and Kindendeule

Abstract

This paper examines objects which are licensed by the applicative affix in the Bantu languages of Kindendeule and Kiswahili. The data show that all verbs can take the applicative suffix deriving transitive verbs from intransitive verbs, and ditransitive verbs from transitive verbs. The applied objects can be interpreted as beneficiary, maleficiary, goal, instrument, reason, motive, ingredient, location, or theme. Only the agent role cannot be licensed by the applicative suffix. On the basis of object order, object marking, passivization, reciprocalization and reflexivization, the objects are classified into: (a) the benefactive type, (b) instrumental type, and (c) locative type.