The Semantics of Embosi Modal Auxiliaries

Abstract

This paper deals with the semantic analysis of modality in Embosi, a Bantu language spoken in the Republic of Congo. The study reveals that Embosi attests four pure modals: the modal kà, which expresses the necessity; the modal kòmi, which describes the obligation; the modal onàmi, which depicts the condition; and the modal pènà is used for probability. In addition, the work also shows that Embosi has five marginal modals: ikòngàà to indicate futurity, ipérà to describe capacity, ipúrà to mean desire, itáá to prohibit, and iwénà to express the progressive aspect. The analysis semantically denotes that Embosi expresses the epistemic modality with the modals kà, ipèrà, and pènà and the deontic modality with the modals kòmi, ipèrà, itáá, and onàmi. The study also proves that Embosi attests dynamic modality with the modals ipèrà and iwénà, and bouletic modality with the modals ikòngàà and ipúrà. The work also demonstrates tense, aspect and modality interaction in Embosi. Otherwise, the research shows the overlapping of the semi-modal ipérà between epistemic, deontic, and dynamic modalities. Finally, the study highlights the interaction of Embosi modals with the negation by the use of the primary auxiliaries idià ‘have’ and idzà ‘be’, associated with the negation morpheme kò ‘not’.