Noun Phrase In Migili

This research is aimed at discussing the general overview of Noun Phrase in Migili language. This research work is divided into five chapters.

Chapter one which is the introductory part include: the historical background, socio-cultural profile, the scope and organization of study as well as the theoretical framework, the data collection method and data analysis and lastly , a brief review of the chosen framework.

Chapter two shall focus on the basic syntactic concept such as phrase structure rule, lexical categories, basic word order and the sentence types.

Chapter three contains the main aspect of study which is the Noun Phrase. In this chapter, the nature of Noun phrase in Migili language and the processes that are attested will be discussed.

Chapter four will examine the transformational processes such as focusing, relativization, reflexivization and question formation.

Chapter five which is the last chapter will present a brief summary of the whole research and also the conclusion and recommendation based on the findings.

Title Page……………………………………………………………………i

Certification…………………………………………………..………….,....ii

Dedication…………………………………………………..…………..…..iii

Acknowledgments………..……………………………………….……........iv

Table of Contents...…………………………..…....…….…………………...v

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 General Background…………..………….….………...………………1

1.2 Historical Background of Migili ………………..….……………….....1

1.3 Socio-cultural Profile of Migili.….………….………….…….………..2

1.3.1 Occupation………...……………………….……..….………….……..3

1.3.2 Religion ...………..……………………….…….…...………………....3

1.3.3 Festival……………..….………………...………..……..……………..3

1.3.4 Mode of Dressing………………….……..…….……......….……...…..4

1.3.5 Marriage………...……………………….……………..…….…...……4

1.4 Genetic Classification …………………….…………….……..............5

1.5 Scope and Organisation of the Study…….…..…………...,…………...7

1.6 Theoretical Framework…………..…………………………………….8

1.7 Data Collection………………………………………………………...8

1.7.1 Data Analysis…………………………………………………………..9

1.8 Review of Chosen Framework………………………………………....9

1.9 Sub Theories of Government and Binding Theory…………………...10

1.9.1 X – Bar Theory…………………………..…………………………...12

1.9.2  Case Theory……....………………………..…………………………13

1.9.3  Government Theory ……..…………………………………………...14

1.9.4 Control Theory…………..…………….……………………………...15

1.9.5 Binding Theory……….……………………………............................15

1.9.6 Bounding Theory…..……………………………………………...….16

1.7.7 Theta Theory……………..……………………………………..…….16

CHAPTER TWO

2.1 Introduction………………………..…………………….…..……….18

2.2 Phrase Structure Rule……………………………………….…….….18

2.2.1 The Phrase Marker……………………………………………………20

2.3 Lexical Categories in Migili Language……………………….……....21

2.3.1 Noun Phrase ……….…………………………………………………21

2.3.2 Verb Phrase……….…………………………………………………..24

2.3.3 Adjective Phrase….…………………………………………………..27

2.3.4 Prepositional Phrase…………………………….…………….………29

2.4 Basic Word Order……………………………….……………………32

2.5 Sentence Types………………………………….……………………33

2.5.1 Simple Sentence………………………………….…………….……..34

2.5.2 Compound Sentence……………………………….…………………35

2.5.3 Complex Sentence……………………………………………….……36

CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………..37

3.2 Position of Noun within the Noun Phrase…………………………...38

3.2.1 Modification on NP by Adjective……………………………………38

3.2.2 Modification on NP by Determiner……………….………………….41

3.2.3 Modification on NP by Preposition………………...…………………45

3.3 Function of Noun Phrase…………………………..…………………45

3.3.1 Noun as Subject of the Sentence…………………..…………………45

3.3.2 Noun as Direct Object of the Sentence……………..………………..48

3.3.3 Noun as Indirect Object of the Sentence……………..………………51

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Introduction…….……………………….……………………………55

4.2 Transformational Processes……………..……………………………55

4.2.1 Focus Construction……………………….…………………………..57

4.2.1.1 Subject NP Focusing……………………..………………………….58

4.2.1.2 Direct Object NP Focusing……………….…………………………63

4.2.2 Relativization…………………………………………………….…..68

4.2.2.1 Subject NP Relativization……………….………………………….71

4.2.2.2 Object NP Relativization………………….………………………..74

4.2.3  Reflexivization…………………………….………………………..78

4.2.4  Question Formation……………………….…………………….…..81

4.2.4.1 Yes/No Questions in Migili Language….….……………………….83

4.2.4.2 WH-Questions……………….…………………………….………..87

Language is the fabric that ties every member of the society together. It is an instrument used by man for specific purposes. The focus of this research is to shed light on how noun phrases are formed in Migili language. Migili is a Nigerian language spoken in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

 The first chapter of this research focuses on the genetic classification of Migili language, the scope and organization of study, the theoretical framework, data collection, that is that government and binding theory.

 According to Winkler (2007:l05) “Syntax is the branch of linguistics that is concerned with the principles by which the phrases and words of a language are combined to make sentences”. In other words, syntax is a sub-field of linguistics that studies the arrangement of words in a sentence.

 

Migili refers to the name of a language and also a group of people. The Migili people constitute about 96% of the total population of Agyaragu in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The language is spoken by about 18,000 speakers.

 History has it that different tribes such as Migili, Alago and Eggon settled at Kororofa kingdom in Taraba State. It was said that a man named Akuka was denied the right to the throne and as a result had to leave Kororofa together with some other members of the Migili tribe to a place called Ukari and later to Lafia region. Some of them moved to Abuja (FCT), Minna in Niger State and Kubacha in Kaduna state.

 The Eggon tribe is a close neighbour of the Migili with some of them having the knowledge of Migili language. Today, Migili language has various alternate names like; Ligili, Jijili, Koro of Lafia, among others.