| Summary: |
This critical review evaluates various semantic classifications of the so-called derivative "Grade 5" Hausa verb. Members of this morphologically distinct class are all transitive but express a diverse range of meanings, e.g., kwantar̃ = Grade 5 ‘lay (down)’ < intransitive kwântaa ‘lie (down)’, sayar̃ = Grade 5 ‘sell’ < transitive sàyaa ‘buy’, jeefar̃ = Grade 5 ‘throw away’ < transitive jeefàa 'throw’. Previous analyses have attempted to explain these interpretations in terms of a semantic causative and/or noncausative framework. In this paper, I conclude that both the 'lie/lay' and "caused-change-of-possession" 'buy/sell' verb-pairs represent stereotypic causative alternations, as distinct from the 'throw/throw away' "change of location" class which falls short of expressing causation.
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