Verb Morphology in Tamang

Abstract

Tamang is one of the Tibeto-Burman languages spoken in Nepal. Tamang is widely divided into two groups mainly the Eastern and Western varieties. This study is an attempt to analyse the verb morphology mainly focusing on the tense, aspect and mood and modality (T.A.M) of Tamang of the Eastern variety. This study is based on the Tamang language spoken in the Kharare Pangu, of Kavrepalanchowk district. The study is carried out within the functional-typological framework developed by Talmy Givón (2001) and further supplemented by B. Comrie (1976, 1985) Bybee, Perkins, and Pegliuca (1994), Bhat (1999) and Timberlake (2007). This study is organized into six chapters. Chapter One deals mainly with the backgrounds of the study, literature review, data collection techniques and limitations of the study. Chapter Two covers the Tamang verb. This chapter deals with the syllable structure and the morphophonemic change of the verb root with different tense and mood markers. In it verb formation process like compounding, complex structure, derivation and borrowing is discussed in general. Other verbs form like honorific and distinct use of the verbs in discourse were also been included along with copula verbs. Chapter Three includes the Tense and Aspect of Tamang. Past and non-past tense is covered under Tense. The different temporal aspectual of the language like habitual, progressive and perfect is discussed in Aspect section. Chapter Four covers with Mood and Modality. In the chapter the term ‘mood’ is used which is based on the theory that is chosen to deal modal system of the language. The Epistemic and Deontic mood has been discussed along with the related moods under this division. Realis and Irrealis, Judgements and Evidential and Interrogative are included under the Epistemic mood. Deontic mood covers the Imperative, Obligation, Necessity, Ability and Desire. Chapter Five includes the findings and the summary of the study. The brief summary is also presented after each chapter.