The ‘along’-deictic-directional verb suffix complex in Kupsapiny

The present study describes the use of a verb suffix complex consisting of the ‘along’ suffix and a deictic-directional suffix in Kupsapiny, a Southern Nilotic language of Uganda. In addition to specifying deictic direction of motion, this suffix complex can be used to emphasize the continuity or iteration of the translational motion expressed by a motion verb or to motionalize a non-motion verb to express associated motion (Koch 1984; Wilkins 1991; Guillaume 2013, 2016). It can also function as a pure aspectual marker, which involves no motion at all. Therefore, the use of this suffix complex always conveys the concept of continuation or iteration, and associated motion does not seem to be totally independent of the temporal category of aspect in Kupsapiny. Other typological implications of the findings are further discussed.