Embosi Semantic Roles: The Case of Direct and Indirect Objects

Abstract

This analysis deals with the semantic roles of direct and indirect objects in Embosi, a Bantu language spoken in the northern part of the Republic of Congo. Downing and Locke's (2006) integrated approach guides the work. The investigation, within Embosi grammar, reveals that direct objects attest the key thematic roles of affected, instrument, patient, phenomenon, and theme, while indirect objects systematically testify the roles of recipient and beneficiary. The work also proves the semantic ambiguity in direct objects within the roles of affected, patient and theme. The study looks at how syntax and semantics interact to show the double object construction using ditransitive verbs and the preposition object construction by moving the indirect object to the prepositional object. The analysis also proves the similarities between Embosi and Lingala languages within semantic roles. Finally, the work demonstrates how the context-dependent aspect plays a crucial role in interpreting and resolving the function of direct and indirect objects in Embosi.