Subject-Object switching in Igbo verbs: A revisit

Subject-Object switching is of special and limited occurrence in Igbo syntax. In this aspect of Igbo syntax, the subject and object of a verb can freely exchange positions in the sentence structure without a change in the meaning of the sentence. Uwalaka (1988) in her seminal work on this phenomenon asserts that only a select few of Igbo verbs tolerate subject-object switching. It is claimed in Uwalaka (1988) that only Experiential and Process verbs allow subject-object switching in the sentence. In this study, we have provided evidence to show that Action verbs in Igbo also allow the phenomenon of subject-object switching. In Uwalaka (1988) it is suggested that the grammatical subjects of verbs tolerating subject-object switching take animate features. Our data shows that some verbs tolerating subject-object switching can take inanimate grammatical subjects. The Case roles Experiencer and Patient are assigned to the grammatical subjects of ‘subject-object’ switching verbs. We claim in this paper that the Agent Case role can be assigned to the Action verbs allowing ‘subject-object’ switching.