LIST SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS
N Noun
N1 N-bar
V Verb
V1 Verb-bar
VP Verb Phrase
NP Noun Phrase
PP Prepositional Phrase
AP Adjective Phrase
IP Inflectional Phrase
FP Focus Phrase
FOC Focus
SPEC Specifier
DET Determiner
ADJ Adjective
C Complement
CP Complimentizer Phrase
I Inflection
PREP Preposition
PL Plural
PSR Phrase Structure Rule
CONJ Conjunction
PRES Present Tense
PAST Past Tense
TNS Tense
TG Transformational
Generative Grammar
SAI Subject Auxiliary
Inversion
H High tone
L Low tone
M Mid – tone
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE:
1.0
General Introduction
1.1 Historical Background
1.2 Sociocultural Profile
1.2.1 Sociolinguistic
background
1.2.2.Culture
1.2.3 Festival
1.2.4 Religion
1.2.4.1 Christianity
1.2.4.2 Islam
1.2.4.3 Traditional Religion
1.2.5 Marriage
1.2.6 Occupation
1.3 Genetic Classification of Uneme Language
1.4 Scope and Organization of the Study
1.5 Theoretical Framework
1.5.1 X-bar
Theory
1.5.2 Theta
Theory
1.5.3 Case
Theory
1.5.4 Bounding
Theory
1.5.5 Binding Theory
1.5.6 Control
Theory
1.5.7 Government
Theory
1.6 Data Collection
1.7 Data Analysis
CHAPTER TWO:
Basic Phonological and syntactic concepts
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Aspects of Phonology of Uneme Language
2.1.1 Sound
Inventory of Uneme Language
2.1.1.1 Consonant of Uneme Language
2.1.1.2 Vowel of Uneme Language
2.1.2 Description
of Uneme Language Sounds
2.1.2.1 Consonant
2.1.2.2 Distribution of vowels in Uneme Language
2.1.3 Tone
Inventory in Uneme Language
2.1.4 Syllable
Structure of Uneme Language
2.2 Syntax of Uneme Language
2.2.1 Phrase
Structure Rule (PSR)
2.2.2 Phrase
Marker
2.2.3 Lexical
Categories in Uneme Language
2.2.3.1 Nouns
2.2.3.2 Pronouns
2.2.3.3 Verbs
2.2.3.4 Adverbs
2.2.3.5 Adjectives
2.2.3.6 Prepositions
2.2.3.7 Conjunctions
2.2.4 Phrasal
Categories
2.2.4.1 Noun Phrase
2.2.4.2 Verb Phrase
2.2.4.3 Adjectives Phrase
2.2.4.4 Prepositional Phrase
2.2.5 Basic
Word Order
2.2.6 Sentence
Types
2.2.5.1 Simple Sentence
2.2.6.2 Compound Sentence
2.2.6.3 Complex Sentence
CHAPTER THREE The Noun Phrase
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Noun Phrase
3.2 Forms of Noun Phrase (NP)
3.2.1 Determiners
3.2.2 Adjectives
3.3 The Head Noun
3.4 Position of Noun within NP
3.4.1 Modification
of NP by Adjective
3.4.2 Modification
of NP by Determiners
3.4.3 Modification
of NP by Preposition
3.5
Function of NP
3.5.1 NP
as Subject of the Sentence
3.5.2 NP
as Object of the Sentence
3.5.3. NP
as Indirect Object of the Sentence
3.5.4 NP as a Compliment of
Preposition
CHAPTER FOUR: Transformational Processes
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Transformational Rule
4.2 Transformation Processes in Uneme Language
4.2.1 Focus
Construction
4.2.2 Relativization
4.2.3 Reflexivization
4.2.4 Question
Formation
CHAPTER FIVE: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
5.0 Introduction
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
REFERENCES
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 General Background of the Study
This research work is based on the
language called Uneme language spoken in . This work will focus on the aspects of Uneme
Noun Phrase. The term Noun Phrase forms an important aspect of syntax.
Syntax is a branch of linguistics,
derived from ancient Greek ‘SYN’ and ‘TAX’. SYN mean ‘Together’ while TAX means
‘Arrangement’. Syntax is the study of
the arrangement of words to form sentences.
Different linguist has defined syntax in different ways:
Talleman
(2005) Defines syntax as the study of syntactic property of language. He sees syntax as sentence construction, that
is, how words are put together to make phrases or sentences.
Akmajian
(2004) sees syntax as a sub-field of linguistics that studies the internal
structure of sentences and the relationship among the internal parts.
Ladeforged
(1997) says that syntax is concerned with the way words are combined to
form sentences.
Syntax can be hierarchically
structured from the larger to the smallest (Sentence——Clause—–Phrase
—–Word). Sanusi (1996) says, in
the systemic analysis, a sentence is ranked the highest, consisting of one or
more clauses.
The focus
of this research will be on the aspects of
Noun Phrase of Uneme language. A phrase is a sequence of words that can
function as a constituent in the structure of sentences. There are different types of phrasal
categories, these are; Noun Phrase, Verb Phrase, Prepositional Phrase,
Adjective Phrase and Adverbial Phrase. A Noun Phrase is headed by a noun and so
applicable to others which are named after the lexical categories.
This project work will serve as a
priority and a means of developing Uneme language and to save guard it from
going into extinction. It will suit the
desires of those that want the language as a means of communication even in
schools and in the community.
1.1 Historical Background
According to oral tradition, the Uneme
language speakers are found in the northern part of . An informant claimed that speakers of the
language can be found in two areas in ,
these areas are Akoko-Edo and Etsako North.
Edo state is found in the south eastern part of Nigeria.
Hakeem (2003:4) says that the history
of Uneme people can be traced to the core area of the Nok cultural zone located
in the North eastern part of Niger-Benue confluence. The area represents the ancestral home land of
not only Uneme people but also of related sub-ethnic groups which have come to
be described as the Edoid.
Uneme people are migrants from Benin. They arrived Benin
area during king Ogiso Ere’s era and their first settlement was on the outskirt
of . The Uneme people moved to Benin in the tenth century and later left
because of a problem that arises as a result of Oba shift between two brothers
in the royal house or
of kingdom. The crises were so tense that everybody from
Uneme community had to leave. Their mode
of migration from Benin in 1370 AD was in two phases; The first major phase of
the migrant moved northwards from Benin, settling in different territories
between 1370 and late 1370. Some of the
notable places they headed to are Obadan in the present Edo state and Agbede in
the Etsako west area of the present northern Edo state, others are Ogbomeze
(Imiava) in the Etsako central area of the present northern Edo state and Okene
in Ebira community of the present Kogi State.
The migration of Uneme people
experience a split which makes them to move in two different direction, one to
Akoko-Edo (the present northern Edo-state) and other to Oghomeze in
Etsako. At the time of their staying in
Akoko-Edo, they established three other Uneme communities in different location
within Akoko-Edo namely Uneme Aki-Osu in the early 1400s, Uneme Erhurm and
Uneme Ekped.
According to the language informant,
he claims that, people who speak Uneme are Uzanu, Anegbete, Udochi and Ologua
who are the latter of Uneme community in the 1830s.
From history, we are aware that the
listed Uneme community are named after children of the same father and mother
which latter developed to different community.
Each of them developed to a large community that now lives as a town on
their own. There was a conflict that
broke out between Uzanu and Anegbete which led to a war and brought about
parting between Uzanu and Anegbete whereby we have Uzanu in Etsako East and
Anegbete in Etsako central. During this
war, Uzanu was having upper hand, and this makes the Anegbete to seek the
assistance of Nupe people in Bida. The
Nupe people (warriors) came but asking the Oriola who is the prime minister of
Anegbete to divide the kingdom of Anegbete into two and give them. Oriole made them to understand that they are
only here for war and not to share kingdom so, they should mind their business
and face the Uzanu’s. The Uzanu’s were
captured by the Nupe warriors and later came to invade the Anegbete and the
whole of Etsako.
Further more, Hakeem (2003:7) pointed
out that the second major phase of the Uneme’s migration from Benin in 1370 AD witnessed the
movement of the affected people eastwards in Niger-river, unlike the first
group that moved northwards. Members of
the second group were few in number, and they passed through fewer territories
where they settle down briefly before they finally established their permanent
home in the Awka area of Igboland in the present Anambra State in 1380’s and
1370’s.
The total population of the Uneme
language speakers is estimated to be 19800 (year 2000 estimation of internet)
and the alternative names with which the language is called are Ileme, Ineme
and Uleme but the standard version is Uneme as been called by the speakers.
1.2 Socio Cultural Profile
The Uneme people are distinguished
from others in their own way of life. Their culture is very rich and they
believe so much in it. The language
serves as a means of communication in the society, in the market and even in
the religious system and it is aimed at being a medium of expression and
instruction in schools.
1.2.1 Sociolinguistic Background
The Uneme
language is used in trading with the neighboring communities. For example, the Uzanu’s share the same
boundary with and Igbirra, so, the
language serves as a means of trading between them.
1.2.2 Culture
The Uneme’s
dressing is some how different. They use
Tusks, Beads (for women, the tusks for the legs and for bangles on hands). In those days, they believed that a girl must
be a virgin before she got married, as a result, when a lady is ready to get
married she will not wear any cloth but will use a lot of beads to cover her
private parts and almost naked round the town.
They also use “Ashid” gotten from the bush to decorate the girl and a
lot of beads on the hand, just as the Benin dresses.
Also the Olofu who is the Prime
minister has a drum called “Ukpaagba”.
This Ukpaagba is beaten when there is an emergency or a conflict in the
king’s family so as to draw the attention of the people. The drum is being beaten four times
representing the four pillars of Uneme that is, it represents Uzanu, Anegbete,
Udochi and Ologua.
1.2.3 Festival
Some of the festivals of Uneme
community are connected with their religious believes while others are linked
to their socio-economic activities.
There is a festival named “Ukpe” which
means end of the year celebration. It is
celebrated between August and September of every year. The people of Uneme are virtually known to be
farmers; so therefore, this celebration precedes the coming of new yam. The festival serves as a major communication
channel to bid good bye to the outgoing year and to welcome the coming year
whereby every family have to participate in one way or the other.
Another festival in the Uneme
community is named Ogun festival. Ogun
festival is associated with, and devoted to the propitiation and veneration of
god of iron. This festival is usually
organized only by iron melting societies.
The festival is organized by allocation certain spots in the community
to the propitiation of Ogun. They make use of certain animal named ‘dog’ and
the whole of the community takes part in singing, dancing and drumming to
appease Ogun ‘the god of iron’.
Another festival of Uneme people is
known as ‘Second Burial Ceremony’ which can only be done for a dead
father. It is still valid to be done
after several years of the father’s demise.
Any one that has not done the second burial is not entitled to the title
“Orinitome” in the Uneme community.
1.2.4 Religion
As we have it in the Nigeria system, the Uneme people
are also recognized with three (3) main religions these are Christianity, Islam
and Traditional Religion.
1.2.4.1 Christianity
Christianity was not the indigenous
religion in Nigeria but was
introduced to Nigeria
by the Missionaries. This begin to
spread in Nigeria
to different community. Hakeem asserted
that Christianity was introduced to the Uneme communities in the 1920s, 1930s
and 1940s respectively by Christian missionaries like Ogidan of the Anglican
Community. The introduction of
Christianity religion was done by some Yoruba missionaries who visited
Akoko-Edo frequently and it gradually extend to the Etsako local government
Area. The first church of the
missionaries in Uneme Akpama was named St’ Luke Anglican church and it was
built in 1922.
Chief Ezekiel Adeleye Igenuma Uduak
Peghemehe from the Enivbosu area of Uneme Erhurun was the one that build the
first church in Uneme Erhurun in 1923.
This is also an Anglican church.
Another missionary behind the spread
of Christianity in Uneme community was Rev. Oyebode, a Yoruba Christian priest
who was based in Auchi. He was the first
Anglican Missionary to influence the spread of the religion in Uneme Aki-Osu in
Akoko-Edo Area in the 1920s. He found
the which was the first of its kind
in that environment.
1.2.4.2. Islam
The Islamic
religion was introduced during the time when the Nupes were involved in the
Uneme activities. This was in the time
of military and colonizing activities in Akoko-Edo in the 19th century. The Islamic religion has been in existence
before the Christian religion was introduced.
It was only few of Uneme people that are been converted because they
sees the Nupes as invaders and people were not encouraged to accept their
offer.
1.2.4.3 Traditional
Religion
Ever before the introduction of Islam
and Christianity, the people of Uneme so much belief in the Traditional
Religion.The people of Uneme believes in Osanobula, Ogbene and Osi which are
Supreme Beings. Osanobula is believed to
have had heavenly aids who were appointed by him. Among such aids were the local divinities or
deities, Ilisa which is referred to as the gods and goddesses, and the spirits
(especially Esi). The people of Uneme
young and old usually call on him through his various aides for protection and
extrication from the hands of perpetrators of evil.
According to Pastor Patrick who is the
language informant, he says the religion is still very prominent in the Uneme
community due to their cultural and festival activities.
1.2.5 Marriage
Pastor Patrick who is the language
informant says that the people of Uneme believe so much in traditional
marriage. Uneme people do not buy the
habit of marrying just only one wife but believes solely in a polygamous marriage. It is like a compulsory fact that if someone
has not married two wives, is like the person is a lazy man.
1.2.6 Occupation
The major occupation of the Uneme
people is smelting of iron (blacksmith).
The blacksmiths smelt the iron-ore mostly at night because of the high
temperature generated in the process of smelting.
Another occupation of the Uneme people
is farming. They practice commercial
farming in the Uneme community. Some of
their farm products are; coca, rice, yam, maize, cassava and banana e.t.c. The
people of Uneme also practice trading.
They trade with their smelt product such as Anklets, bracelets, local
necklace, cutlasses, iron weapons, knives, plates, hoes and pot. They trade with the neigbouring community and
all their products are involved in their trading.
1.3 Genetic
Classification of Uneme Language
This is a systematic way of grouping
languages that share something in common into the same family. According to Ruhlen (1991:-5), a genetic
classification is a sub-grouping of all relevant language into genetic
nodes. However, a genetic node is a
group of languages each of which is more closely related to others in that
group than to any language outside the group.
African languages like other languages
of the world have been classified by taxonomical linguistics. The Uneme language is grouped with the
languages in the Benue congo
where we later end up having and
Ghotuo. The Genetic classification tree
below will summarize the sub-grouping of Uneme language.