Using the Predictability Criterion for Selecting Extended Verbs for Shona Dictionaries

The paper examines the "predictability criterion", a classificatory tool which is used in selecting affixed word forms for dictionary entries. It focuses on the criterion as it has been used by the African Languages Lexical (ALLEX) Project for selecting extended verbs to enter as headwords in the Project's first monolingual Shona dictionary Duramazwi ReChiShona. The article also examines the status of Shona verbal extensions in terms of their semantic input to the verb stems they are attached to. The paper was originally motivated by two observations: (a) that predictability seems to be a matter of degree; and (b) that the predictability criterion tended to be used inconsistently in the selection of extended verbs and senses for Duramazwi ReChiShona. An analysis of 412 productively extended verbs that were entered as headwords in Duramazwi ReChiShona shows that verbal extensions can bring both predictable and unpredictable senses to the verb stems they are attached to. The paper demonstrates that for an effective use of the predictability criterion for selecting extended verbs for Shona dictionaries, there is need for the lexicographer to have an in-depth understanding of the kinds of semantic movements that are caused when verb stems are extended. It shows the need to view verbal extensions in Shona as derivational morphemes, not inflectional morphemes as some earlier scholars have concluded. Die gebruik van die voorspelbaarheidskriterium om uitgebreide werkwoorde te selekteer vir Shonawoordeboeke Hierdie artikel ondersoek die "voorspelbaarheidskriterium", 'n klassifikasiehulpmiddel wat gebruik word om geaffigeerde woordvorme te selekteer as woordeboekinskrywings. Dit fokus op die kriterium soos dit gebruik is deur die African Language Lexical (ALLEX) Project vir die selektering van uitgebreide werkwoorde as lemmas in die Projek se eerste eentalige Shonawoordeboek Duramazwi ReChiShona. In hierdie artikel word die status van Shona se werkwoordelike uitbreidings ondersoek in terme van hul semantiese opname in die werkwoordstamme waarmee hulle verbind is. Die artikel is oorspronklik gemotiveer deur twee waarnemings: (a) dat voorspelbaarheid 'n graadkwessie is; en (b) dat die neiging bestaan het om die voorspelbaarheidskriterium in die seleksie van uitgebreide werkwoorde en betekenisse vir die Duramazwi ReChiShona inkonsekwent toe te pas. 'n Ontleding van 412 produktief uitgebreide werkwoorde wat as lemmas in Duramazwi ReChiShona opgeneem is, toon dat werkwoordelike uitbreidings sowel voorspelbare as onv