What if your roots are polyfunctional? The Lexical Entry Problem in Benue-Kwa

In accounting for the so-called serial verb constructions (SVCs) in Yoruba, Awóyalé (1988) argues that any adequate analysis must focus on the lexical entries of the verbs in order to define the contribution of each verb to the series. This view is compatible with Aboh’s (2009a) conclusion that SVCs in Benue-Kwa represent monoclauses where a functional verb combines with a lexical verb acting as main predicate. In his terms, SVCs are not sequences of lexical verbs but rather verbal combinations in which one verb acts as main predicate, and retains its full argument structure, while others are grammatical elements functioning as modifiers of the event that is being expressed or described. These languages therefore involve a significant class of verbal roots, with a rather vague meaning, that can either serve grammatical purposes or be used lexically, when properly specified. This view corroborates with the fact that Benue-Kwa are also well-known to exhibit Inherent Complement Verbs (ICVs) which, in their citation form, require a complement that further specifies the meaning of the verb phrase. Taking the discussion a step further, this paper shows that the recruitment of material that is used as lexical entry for grammatical purposes is also found in the nominal domain. In this case, a nominal root is used as a functional element within the noun phrase.