THE YIWOM NOUN PHRASE

1.5       SCOPE AND ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY.

            The general overview of this research work discuses noun phrase in yiwom language. This research is divided into five chapter.

            The first chapter is the introduction which include the historical background, socio-cultural profile, the scope of organization of the study as well theoretical frame work, the data collection, data Analysis and finally brief review of the chosen framework.

            The second chapter shall focus on literature review, the basic phonological and syntactic concept such as phrase structure rules: lexical categories, basic word order and the sentence type.

               The third chapter will focus on the main aspect of the study, which is Noun phrase, that is, the nature of noun phrase and the processes that are attested in the language.

               The fourth chapter will examine the transformational process such as focus construction, relativization and passivization while we will see the last chapter which is chapter 5 presenting a brief summary of the whole research findings and conclusion and recommendation based on such findings.

1.6       DATA COLLECTION

                   This research is made possible through the multilingual helper. However, the Ibadan 400 word list of basic items and some sentences construction are use to extract necessary information from language speakers. The method of collection was through direct translation of English to Yiwom language

            However, multilingual approach was used because the informants, who are native speaker of Yiwom speaks more than two languages which includes: English, Foron  and Yiwom language.                       

            Mr. Michael Trumbek and his wife, Mrs. Grace Trumbek are my language helpers they are both teachers in Khilafilor Nursery and Primary School. I also went to CAPRO research office and I was given a book titled CAPRO indeed. An ethnic survey in Yiwom language in Plateau State. I was also given a linguistic seminar and the institute of linguistics University of Ibadan, Jos computer written by Shimizu, Kiyoshi (1975)

1.7       DATA ANALYSIS

               In order to have accurate analysis for this research, Ibadan 400 word list with an equivalent  meaning in Yiwom language was used.

               Also, the frame techniques used in this research is forming of sentences in English and translating the sentences to Yiwom language with the assistance of an informant. This enables me to determine the actual underlying form of a word constituent and possible syntactic classes to which each word belongs to in Yiwom language

1.8       REVIEW OF THE CHOSEN FRAMEWORK

            For this research to achieve the set of goals, the theory to be adopted is government and binding theory in the analysis of the noun phrase in Yiwom language.

               Now, government are binding theory (GB) will be used in the analysis of noun phrase in Yiwom language. This theory is a modular posits multiple levels of Representation related by the transformational rule (move alpha)

               However, it is more advanced theory of universal drama (Sanusi, 1991;19-21)

            Sanusi (1996), explains again that GB theory greatly eliminate proliferation of transformational rules, like passive , affix hopping, verb number agreement, question formation, equip-NP-Deletion, raising permutation, insertion e.t.c. Government are binding theory operates through the modules of grammar like government , case, theta and X-Bar.

1.8.1      SUB-THEORIES OF GOVERNMENT AND BINDING         THEORY

               Horrocks (1987, 100) states that, the core grammar   of a given language is derived from the interaction of Sub-theories of universal grammar. These sub-theories are inter-related that each of them can account for grammaticality and ungrammaticality of any sentences. These sub-theories are:

1)        X-bar theory

2)        Case theory

3)        Government theory

4)        Theta theory

         There are still others like:

1)        Bounding theory

2)        Control theory

         But I will be talking on the first four theories. The above listed sub-theories are ungrammatically represented below to show the interrelationship among them. 

1.8.1.1

   

X-BAR THEORY

Based on appropriate analysis for the research work, X Bar is the theory to be adopted for comprehensive analysis.

Cook (1988:94) explains that, X-bar Syntax reveals large number of idiosyncratic ‘rule’ with general principles, it captures properties of all phrases not just those of a certain types and it bases the syntax on lexical categories that links with entries in the lexicon

Webelbum (1995:18) explains that, X-bar theory is the central module of the principle and parameter approach in syntax

The X-bar theory brings out what is common in the structure of phrase. A phrase in X-bar syntax always contain at least a head as well  as others constituents (cook 1988:94).

The head of projection is zero projection (X). heads are terminal modes, they dominate words X-bar theory distinguished two level of projection compliment combines with X to form X” (X-X,);YP adjust combine with X projection (X-X, YP). The specified combines with the topmost X’ to form the maximum projection (XP Spec; X’)

               

Due to the fact that X-bar brings out, what is common in the structure, X-bar theory will be the applicable to be used in the analysis of Yiwom noun phrase

1.8.1.2             THETA (θ)THEORY

This centers on assigning ‘thematic’ roles to sentential constituents. The Greek  letter ‘theta’ is a form of shortening for thematic

According to Chomsky, thematic roles means “to what have been referred to as semantic roles in the proceeding sections, roles such as agent, patient (or theme), beneficiary e.t.c. These are assumed to be assigned to the complements of lexical items as a lexical property.

Horrock, G (1993;102) uses the entry for put as an example and explains that the NP complement is assigned to the complement is assigned the role of location. It is also assumed that the majority of verbs ‘θ mark’ the subject position of sentences containing theme.

Thus, the subject NP of a sentence containing put is assigned the agent role. A predicate argument is denoted by any constituent assigned a θ-role by definition.

The main principle of θ-theory is the θ-criterion which its requirements in the unique assignment of each thematic role, this indicates that each constituent denoting an argument is assigned just θ-role and each θ-role is assigned for just one argument denoting constituent.

1.8.1.3             CASE-THEORY

This deals with the principles of case assignment to constituents. Kirsten (1991; 496) explains that case theory regulates the distribution of phonetically realized NPs by assigning abstract case to them.

According to Horrocks, G (1993103), the basic idea is that case is assigned under government; the choice of case is determined by the governor in any given example. Government is a traditional notion which involves the delimitation of the sphere of influence of a particular category with respect to adjacent categories.

A lexical head X may be said to govern its sisters in X-bar, and certain lexical heads also have the power to case-mark certain of their complements.

Thus, inflection assigns nomative case to subject NP, verb assign accusative case to object NP, while preposition assigns oblique case to its object.

One of most important principles of case theory is that case filter, which states that any s-structure that contains in NP with lexical content but no case is ungrammatical.

Kirsten (1991; 407) formally represented case filter as

1.8.1.4             GOVERNMENT THEORY

This deals with the syntactic relationship between the governor i.e. the head, and the governed i.e. its complement

Government theory also defines the relationship in other sub-theories of government and binding theory.

With respects to government theory, α governs β    if and only if:

1.    α  and β   naturally c-command each other

2.     α is a governor (e.g. noun, verb, preposition, adjective)

3.    α   governs β    , then governs the specified of β

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