Abstract:
The aim of this study was to examine the notion of projection, as underpinned by the
Projection Principle, between the subject, the verb, the object, the adjective and the
adverb in Tshivenḓa. Data were collected through participant observation, wherein
the researcher collected data in the form of clauses and sentences in Tshivenḓa.
This study found that verbs and subject prefixes are predicates which project
arguments in sentences. These arguments are characterised both linguistically and
in the form of word realities. The study further found that Tshivenḓa is a pro drop
language because the adjectival argument prefix can locate the subject argument in
absentia. In turn, subject arguments and adjectival arguments carry the same class
nominal prefix. The projection of elements of a sentence in Tshivenḓa identifies
grammatical relations between constituents. Lastly, it is recommended that studies of
a similar nature should be conducted in other African languages to establish how
elements of a clause or sentence cohere as informed by the Projection principle.
