The Contextual Use of Central Determiners in Kinyarwanda: The Case of Possessives

Kiba Ngapoula; Laure Masabo Umutesi

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12

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The Contextual Use of Central Determiners in Kinyarwanda: The Case of Possessives

Kiba Ngapoula^*

, Laure Masabo Umutesi

Published in International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 13, Issue 3)

Received: 6 April 2025 Accepted: 17 April 2025 Published: 22 May 2025

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Abstract

This scrutiny deals with the contextual interpretation of central determiners in Kinyarwanda, a Bantu language spoken in the Great Lakes region, specifically in the Republic of Rwanda. It particularly tackles the case of possessives. It demonstrates that the pragmatic analysis of possessives in Kinyarwanda can be conceived under the notions of reference, definiteness, deixis, implicature, presupposition, and speech act. It starts by showing how Kinyarwanda possessives are used to point out referred entities, including anaphoric and cataphoric relationships. It also attests to how possessives in this language, used in a given context, refer to definite entities known to both participants. The study also proves that Kinyarwanda possessives are used to express person, social and discourse deixis. Afterwards, the analysis illustrates the way entities, in a given context of communication, impose an extra meaning to Kinyarwanda possessives that goes beyond the literal one, with the violation of different maxims to express implicature. Furthermore, the notion of possessives in Kinyarwanda also denotes that participants in the interaction assume to share common background information about the possessor and the possessee. The research then indicates that Kinyarwanda possessives analysed under the speech act theory emphasise the concepts of locutionary act, illocutionary force and perlocutionary effect, taking into account felicity conditions. Finally, the work demonstrates that, through a cross-linguistic perspective, Kinyarwanda possessives attest similarities and dissimilarities with Embosi, another Bantu language spoken in the north of the Republic of Congo.

Published in	International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 13, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12
Page(s)	128-136
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Kinyarwanda, Pragmatics, Possessives, Reference, Definiteness, Deixis, Implicature, Presupposition, Speech Act

References

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[2]	Nurse, D. & Philippson, G. The Bantu Languages. 2003: Routledge.
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[4]	Lwaboshi, J. K. Cultural and Historical Preservation Through Onomastic Materials: A Case of Toponyms and Anthroponyms in Kinyarwanda. International Journal of Business and Social Science Research, 2021. 2(8), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijla.20210906.23
[5]	Mpayimana, P. Phonologie et Morphologie du Kinyarwanda. M. A. Thesis, The University of Yaounde I, 2002-2003.
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[7]	Rwigamba, B. & Nkusi. L. & Ruzindana, M. La Langue Kinyarwanda son Usage et Impact dans les Divers Medias pendant la Periode 1990-1994. 1998: Media Team du TPI.
[8]	Muhirwe, J. Computational Analysis of Kinyarwanda Morphology. International Journal of Computing and ICT Research, 2007. 1(1), 85-92.
[9]	Jordan, K. Language Use in Rwanda: Multilingualism in Public and Private Contexts. M. A. Thesis, Universität Wien, 2013.
[10]	Muhirwe, J. & Trosterud, T. Finite State Solutions for Reduplication in Kinyarwanda Language. Asian Federation of Natural Language Processings, 2008. 73-80. URL: https://aclanthology.org/I08-3013/
[11]	Kolkmann, J. The Pragmatics of Possession: Issues in the Interpretation of the Pre-nominal Possessives in English. PhD Thesis, University of Manchester, 2016.
[12]	Sibomana, L. & Doldo IV, J. & Brack, M. Kinyarwanda: An Integrative Approach. 2024: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz.
[13]	Zorc, R. D. & Nibagwire, L. Kinyarwanda and Kirundi Comparative Grammar. 2007: Dunwoody Press.
[14]	Yule, G. Pragmatics. 1996: Oxford University Press.
[15]	Cruse, A. Meaning in Language: An Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics. 2000: Oxford University press.
[16]	Ngapoula, K. Embosi Possessives: A Pragmatic Account. Open Journal of Modern Linguistics, 2025. 15, 101-116. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojml. 2025.151008
[17]	Valeika, L. & Verikaite, D. An Introductory Course in Linguistic Pragmatics. 2010: Vilnius Pedagogical University.
[18]	Ngapoula, K. Εmbosi Indefiniteness: A Pragmatic Analysis. International Journal of Linguistics, 2023. 15(3), 39-53. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijl.v15i3.20917
[19]	Griffiths, P. An Introduction to English Semantics and Pragmatics. 2006: Edinburgh University Press.
[20]	Birner, B. J. Introduction to Pragmatics. 2013: Wiley-Blackwell.
[21]	Grice, H. P. Logic and Conversation. In H. P. Grice (Ed.), Studies in the Way of Words. 1989: Harvard University Press. p. 22-40.
[22]	Verschueren, J. Understanding Pragmatics. 1999: University of Antwerp.
[23]	Ndongo Ibara, Y. P. Embosi-English Dictionary. 2012: Peter Lang.

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APA Style

Ngapoula, K., Umutesi, L. M. (2025). The Contextual Use of Central Determiners in Kinyarwanda: The Case of Possessives. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 13(3), 128-136. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12

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ACS Style

Ngapoula, K.; Umutesi, L. M. The Contextual Use of Central Determiners in Kinyarwanda: The Case of Possessives. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2025, 13(3), 128-136. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12

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AMA Style

Ngapoula K, Umutesi LM. The Contextual Use of Central Determiners in Kinyarwanda: The Case of Possessives. Int J Lang Linguist. 2025;13(3):128-136. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12,
  author = {Kiba Ngapoula and Laure Masabo Umutesi},
  title = {The Contextual Use of Central Determiners in Kinyarwanda: The Case of Possessives
},
  journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
  volume = {13},
  number = {3},
  pages = {128-136},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20251303.12},
  abstract = {This scrutiny deals with the contextual interpretation of central determiners in Kinyarwanda, a Bantu language spoken in the Great Lakes region, specifically in the Republic of Rwanda. It particularly tackles the case of possessives. It demonstrates that the pragmatic analysis of possessives in Kinyarwanda can be conceived under the notions of reference, definiteness, deixis, implicature, presupposition, and speech act. It starts by showing how Kinyarwanda possessives are used to point out referred entities, including anaphoric and cataphoric relationships. It also attests to how possessives in this language, used in a given context, refer to definite entities known to both participants. The study also proves that Kinyarwanda possessives are used to express person, social and discourse deixis. Afterwards, the analysis illustrates the way entities, in a given context of communication, impose an extra meaning to Kinyarwanda possessives that goes beyond the literal one, with the violation of different maxims to express implicature. Furthermore, the notion of possessives in Kinyarwanda also denotes that participants in the interaction assume to share common background information about the possessor and the possessee. The research then indicates that Kinyarwanda possessives analysed under the speech act theory emphasise the concepts of locutionary act, illocutionary force and perlocutionary effect, taking into account felicity conditions. Finally, the work demonstrates that, through a cross-linguistic perspective, Kinyarwanda possessives attest similarities and dissimilarities with Embosi, another Bantu language spoken in the north of the Republic of Congo.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Contextual Use of Central Determiners in Kinyarwanda: The Case of Possessives

AU  - Kiba Ngapoula
AU  - Laure Masabo Umutesi
Y1  - 2025/05/22
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12
T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
SP  - 128
EP  - 136
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12
AB  - This scrutiny deals with the contextual interpretation of central determiners in Kinyarwanda, a Bantu language spoken in the Great Lakes region, specifically in the Republic of Rwanda. It particularly tackles the case of possessives. It demonstrates that the pragmatic analysis of possessives in Kinyarwanda can be conceived under the notions of reference, definiteness, deixis, implicature, presupposition, and speech act. It starts by showing how Kinyarwanda possessives are used to point out referred entities, including anaphoric and cataphoric relationships. It also attests to how possessives in this language, used in a given context, refer to definite entities known to both participants. The study also proves that Kinyarwanda possessives are used to express person, social and discourse deixis. Afterwards, the analysis illustrates the way entities, in a given context of communication, impose an extra meaning to Kinyarwanda possessives that goes beyond the literal one, with the violation of different maxims to express implicature. Furthermore, the notion of possessives in Kinyarwanda also denotes that participants in the interaction assume to share common background information about the possessor and the possessee. The research then indicates that Kinyarwanda possessives analysed under the speech act theory emphasise the concepts of locutionary act, illocutionary force and perlocutionary effect, taking into account felicity conditions. Finally, the work demonstrates that, through a cross-linguistic perspective, Kinyarwanda possessives attest similarities and dissimilarities with Embosi, another Bantu language spoken in the north of the Republic of Congo.

VL  - 13
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Kiba Ngapoula

Department of Living Foreign Languages, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

http://orcid.org/0009-0008-5560-9696
Laure Masabo Umutesi

Department of Living Foreign Languages, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

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APA Style

Ngapoula, K., Umutesi, L. M. (2025). The Contextual Use of Central Determiners in Kinyarwanda: The Case of Possessives. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 13(3), 128-136. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12

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ACS Style

Ngapoula, K.; Umutesi, L. M. The Contextual Use of Central Determiners in Kinyarwanda: The Case of Possessives. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2025, 13(3), 128-136. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12

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AMA Style

Ngapoula K, Umutesi LM. The Contextual Use of Central Determiners in Kinyarwanda: The Case of Possessives. Int J Lang Linguist. 2025;13(3):128-136. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12,
  author = {Kiba Ngapoula and Laure Masabo Umutesi},
  title = {The Contextual Use of Central Determiners in Kinyarwanda: The Case of Possessives
},
  journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
  volume = {13},
  number = {3},
  pages = {128-136},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20251303.12},
  abstract = {This scrutiny deals with the contextual interpretation of central determiners in Kinyarwanda, a Bantu language spoken in the Great Lakes region, specifically in the Republic of Rwanda. It particularly tackles the case of possessives. It demonstrates that the pragmatic analysis of possessives in Kinyarwanda can be conceived under the notions of reference, definiteness, deixis, implicature, presupposition, and speech act. It starts by showing how Kinyarwanda possessives are used to point out referred entities, including anaphoric and cataphoric relationships. It also attests to how possessives in this language, used in a given context, refer to definite entities known to both participants. The study also proves that Kinyarwanda possessives are used to express person, social and discourse deixis. Afterwards, the analysis illustrates the way entities, in a given context of communication, impose an extra meaning to Kinyarwanda possessives that goes beyond the literal one, with the violation of different maxims to express implicature. Furthermore, the notion of possessives in Kinyarwanda also denotes that participants in the interaction assume to share common background information about the possessor and the possessee. The research then indicates that Kinyarwanda possessives analysed under the speech act theory emphasise the concepts of locutionary act, illocutionary force and perlocutionary effect, taking into account felicity conditions. Finally, the work demonstrates that, through a cross-linguistic perspective, Kinyarwanda possessives attest similarities and dissimilarities with Embosi, another Bantu language spoken in the north of the Republic of Congo.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Contextual Use of Central Determiners in Kinyarwanda: The Case of Possessives

AU  - Kiba Ngapoula
AU  - Laure Masabo Umutesi
Y1  - 2025/05/22
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12
T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
SP  - 128
EP  - 136
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20251303.12
AB  - This scrutiny deals with the contextual interpretation of central determiners in Kinyarwanda, a Bantu language spoken in the Great Lakes region, specifically in the Republic of Rwanda. It particularly tackles the case of possessives. It demonstrates that the pragmatic analysis of possessives in Kinyarwanda can be conceived under the notions of reference, definiteness, deixis, implicature, presupposition, and speech act. It starts by showing how Kinyarwanda possessives are used to point out referred entities, including anaphoric and cataphoric relationships. It also attests to how possessives in this language, used in a given context, refer to definite entities known to both participants. The study also proves that Kinyarwanda possessives are used to express person, social and discourse deixis. Afterwards, the analysis illustrates the way entities, in a given context of communication, impose an extra meaning to Kinyarwanda possessives that goes beyond the literal one, with the violation of different maxims to express implicature. Furthermore, the notion of possessives in Kinyarwanda also denotes that participants in the interaction assume to share common background information about the possessor and the possessee. The research then indicates that Kinyarwanda possessives analysed under the speech act theory emphasise the concepts of locutionary act, illocutionary force and perlocutionary effect, taking into account felicity conditions. Finally, the work demonstrates that, through a cross-linguistic perspective, Kinyarwanda possessives attest similarities and dissimilarities with Embosi, another Bantu language spoken in the north of the Republic of Congo.

VL  - 13
IS  - 3
ER  -

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