Abstract

This study develops a detailed semantic analysis of a dozen COME and GO verbs in an eastern Bantu language, Chindali. These verbs are shown to differ not only in the typical motional elements such as path and landmark encoded in the motion schema, but also in what component of the motion schema is salient. Complementing the semantic analysis is a discussion of how these verbs are combined extensively in narrative discourse to provide a detailed mapping of a motion trajectory. Finally, the analysis provides support for the position that deixis is not inherent to all COME and GO expressions, but is, in the case of GO lexemes, often a pragmatic attribute of contextual use.