Question

Examine the following data from Swahili, a Bantu language, and choose the correct statements. 
\[\begin{array}{|l|l|} \hline \textbf{Swahili} & \textbf{Meaning} \\ \hline \textit{ni-na-soma} & \text{I am reading} \\ \textit{a-na-soma}  & \text{She/he is reading} \\ \textit{tu-na-soma} & \text{We are reading} \\ \hline \textit{ni-li-soma} & \text{I read [past]} \\ \textit{a-li-soma}  & \text{She/he read [past]} \\ \hline \textit{ni-ta-soma} & \text{I will read} \\ \textit{tu-ta-soma} & \text{We will read} \\ \hline \end{array} \]
 

• A. The Swahili third person pronoun is gender neutral.
• B. Swahili has different markers for past, present and future.
• C. Swahili pronouns are not marked for number (singular/plural).
• D. In Swahili, \textit{tu-li-soma} would mean 'We read [past]'.

Hint:

In Bantu languages like Swahili, verb forms are built by combining three parts: subject prefix (person/number), tense marker (time), and verb root. Always check each prefix separately to decode the meaning.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Analyze third person pronoun (Option A). 
In Swahili, the prefix a- is used for third person singular ('he' or 'she'). Since the same form is used for both male and female, it is gender neutral. \(\Rightarrow\) Option (A) is correct. 

Step 2: Check tense markers (Option B). 
From the data: - Present tense uses the marker na (e.g., ni-na-soma = I am reading). 
- Past tense uses the marker li (e.g., ni-li-soma = I read [past]). 
- Future tense uses the marker ta (e.g., ni-ta-soma = I will read). 
Thus, Swahili clearly distinguishes past, present, and future through tense markers. \(\Rightarrow\) Option (B) is correct. 

Step 3: Check number marking (Option C). 
Compare ni-na-soma = 'I am reading' and tu-na-soma = 'We are reading'. 
The prefix changes from ni- (first person singular) to tu- (first person plural). 
This shows that Swahili pronouns are marked for number. 
\(\Rightarrow\) Option (C) is incorrect. 

Step 4: Check meaning of tu-li-soma (Option D). 
- Prefix tu- = we 
- Tense marker li = past 
- Root verb soma = read 
So, tu-li-soma = we read [past]. 
\(\Rightarrow\) Option (D) is correct. 

\[ \boxed{\text{Correct options are (A), (B) and (D).}} \]