TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgements iv
List of Symbols vi
Table of Contents vii
CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRDOUCTION
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Geographical Location 2
1.2 Aims and Objectives 4
1.3 Research Questions 4
1.4 Historical Background 4
1.5 Socio-Linguistic Background 13
1.6 Drastic Use of Uneme 14
1.7 Genetic Classification of Uneme 16
1.8 Theoretical Framework 17
1.9 Data Collection 17
1.10 Data Analysis 17
1.11 Brief Review of Government and Binding Theory 18
1.12 Scope and Organization 18
1.13 Review of the Chosen Framework 19
1.14 Sub Theories of Government and Binding 21
1.15 X-bar Theory 23
1.16 Case Theory 24
1.17 Theta Theory 25
1.18 Binding Theory 27
1.19 Government Theory 29
1.20 Bounding Theory 30
1.21 Control Theory 31
CHAPTER TWO: BASIC SYNTACTIC CONEPTS
2.0 Introduction 32
2.1 Deep Structure 33
2.2 Transformation 35
2.3 Move-a 38
2.4 Question Formation in Different Languages 40
2.5 Yes or No Question in English 42
2.6 Surface Structure 45
2.7 Yes/No Questions in some Nigerian Languages 51
2.8 Phrase Structure Rules (PSR) 55
2.9 Lexical Categories 61
2.10 Basic Phonological Concept s 70
CHAPTER THREE: QUESTION FORMATION
3.0 Introduction 84
3.1 Question Types 85
CHAPTER FOUR: TRANSFORMATIONAL PROCESSES
4.0 Introduction 112
4.1 Focus Construction in Uneme 112
4.2 Relativization in Uneme 118
4.3 Reflexivization 122
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
5.0 Introduction 126
5.1 Summary 126
5.2 Recommendations 127
5.3 Conclusion 128
References 130
CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction
This Long essay will examine question formation in Uneme. As an introduction, the historical background of the speakers, the geographical location, the socio-cultural background and the genetic classification of Uneme will be discussed.
Uneme is spoken in Etsako East of Edo State Nigeria, Uneme is also spoken in Uzanu, Anegbete, Udochi and Ologua. From history the four towns had the same parents, who later develop to a large community, and now live as a town on their own.[w1]
The Uneme speakers are found in Edo State, Uneme people are immigrant from Benin town in Edo State, Nigeria.
Question formation is also an ample illustration of transformational processes. Question Formation as the focus topic on this research work are primarily used to express lack for information on a specific point and to request the listener to supply the information. Basically, we have 2 types of question which include; yes or no question and the content word questions, which is commonly known as WH-questions.
Content word questions require new information on account of its use of question markers such as: who, what, why, where, when, which.
1.1 Geographical Location
Uneme is an ethnic group in Edo State of Nigeria, found under the independence district of Etsako East, on latitude 6045N and 7035N and longitudes 5055’ and 6045’E. Uneme people are also found in north-west in Ondo State, Etsako Central Local Government Area is located in the heart of Etsako land, it is bounded in the west by the Etsako West Local Government Area. In the East by Etsako East Local Government Area and in the north by Okene, also in South by Esan territory.
Under the Etsako district are; Anegbete, Udochi and Ologua as neighbouring towns to Uzanu where Uneme is primarily dominated,the three (3) neighbouring towns also speak Uneme language, but from history, it was submitted that they were brothers from the same mother to each other, under the Etsako province.
There was a quarrel between Uzanu and Anegbete, which led Uzanu to be under Etsako East Local Government Area today and Anegbete in Etsako Central and as a result there was a war between Uzanu and Anegbete which later ended up in separation.