The syntax of verb phrases in Tonga: a corpus-based study

This study investigated the syntax of verb phrases in Tonga language which is one of the Bantu languages found in Southern Province of Zambia. The descriptive study was carried out to examine whether or not verb phrases in Tonga can be analysed using insights from Government Binding (GB). Data was collected from Tonga written texts and interactions with native Tonga speaking people while noting down the Verb Phrases. During the investigation, a number of PS rules were identified which describe the structural typologies of VPs in Tonga. Analysis was done using the Government Binding Theory. The analysis revealed that some of GB models do apply to Tonga Verb Phrase and that the structure of and meaning expressed in Tonga revolves around the verb word. These results cast confidence on the efficacy of contributing to the existing linguistic studies and help in the teaching of Bantu Languages at both secondary and tertiary levels in Zambia.