Nominal predicates (prepositions) in Kiswahili as argument elements

The study draws attention to an observation, following Amidu (1997c), that, in Kiswahili, what are normally called prepositional phrases are not only nominal predicates in the grammar but also function as argument elements of syntax. They generate agreement relations such as subject marker and object marker in the same way that nouns do. As argument elements, the phrases also undergo passive transformation, object relativization, etc. We conclude that since there is no argument function in Kiswahili Bantu syntax which cannot be performed by nominal predicate (preposition) elements, the claims in modern Eurocentric grammars to the effect that prepositions are barriers to case and theta role assignment by V is not linguistic empirical or explanatory relevant to Kiswahili. The distinction between Adjuncts and Arguments in Kiswahili is also tenuous and often inapplicable to Kiswahili nominal predicates.