Aspects of Noun Phrase in Kurama Language
Chapter One
Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Aspects of Noun Phrase in Kurama Language. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
To examine the phrase structure rules, lexical categories; the language attests S.V.O and order.
- To describe the structure of noun phrase of the language under Government and Binding syntax.
- To examine the transformational processes attested in kurama language; and
- To assess the phonological system of language, the sound system of kurama language, and its tone and syllable inventory.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
This chapter focuses on the review of related literature. A literature review includes the current knowledge as well as theoretical and methodological contributions to a particular topic. It documents the state of the art with respect to the topic you are writing. It surveys the literature in the topic selected. In this research work the literature review includes the Conceptual Review of Kurama Language Basic Syntax, Genetic Classification of Kurama Language, Sound System of Kurama Language, Overview of Noun Phrase in Kurama Language, Transformational Processes in Kurama Language, Function of Noun Phrase (NP) in Kurama Language and Theoretical Framework.
Conceptual Review of Kurama Language Basic Syntax
Syntax is basically concerned with lexical categories, phrase structure rules and basic word order etc. according to Sanusi (1996: 33) “Syntax is the study of the patterns of arrangement of words or how words are combined to form phrases, clauses and sentences’. Syntactically, no human language allows sentences to be formed by string words together randomly. That is, every human language has regular patterns in which words must be combined to form phrases, clauses and sentences.
According to Yusuf (1997), the syntactic level is made up of two sub- components known as the deep structure (D-structure) and surface structure (s- structure). The deep structure is derived from the base rules, categorical rules, strict sub-categorization, selection restrictions and phrases structure rules.
Transformation operates on the D-structure t map it on the s-structure. Here is a graphic schema for the syntactic compound.
The Kurama people or speakers are found in Lere local government area of Kaduna State of Nigeria. The kurama people are located at the Garu-Kurama district. The line is Southeastern part of Kaduna state, North of Damakasuwa and South from Kumana.
According to Crozier (1976), Kurama language belong to Benue Congo, eastern Kainji and Northern Jos. 220(NAT 1949), 2,000 (STL 1973). Kurama is along Kaduna/Jos road. From Jos, it is 140 km and from Kaduna, it is 250 km.
According to oral history, the Kurama consist of a number of exogenous divisions wholly or partially localized. Thus the small clan of the Kamau is wholly localized at the village – area of Guru, whereas sections of the Abisi clan are to be found at a number of different village areas. Viz Garu, Srubu, Damakasua, and Kudaru. It appeared that in some instances a number of exogamous units share a common title and a common emblem, but that intermarriage between the units is permissible. The Har Asre, for example consist of the following sub-divisions, all of which respect the crocodile
- Koranga
- Kipiri
- Tamto
- Tasabo
- Gama
- Tigena
- Tungzu
- Bundi
A Koranga man may not marry a Koranga woman, but he may marry a woman of any of the other subdivisions with the exception of Kipiri, the koranga and kipiri consider themselves to be related through a common forefather, a relationship which cannot now be demonstrated genealogically. It would seem, therefore, that the Asare at one time constituted a single exogamous clan, but that with the increase or spread of the clan exogamy was replaced by a local exogamy. There are numerous other kurama clans (e.g. the Asa, Asana, Bisawa, Awai, Akurgi, Nargi, Gurya, etc).
They practice traditional system of governance, where there is an exogamous and social group which is recognized as the chieftain whose duties are religious and social rather than political (the political chieftainship being purely a local matter), it is his business to settle individual and family disputes and allay ill-feeling within the kindred or clan. In addition to the clan or extended families who exercise a social authority not merely over their own households but over those of all younger brothers, cousins, and children.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
In this chapter data sampling techniques, sampling size, methods of data collection, methods of data analysis and site selection criteria will be discussed. The variables were analyzed by means of percentages and simple table method. This technique permits inferences about observation and are useful for testing the research propositions for generalization the propositions were tested by descriptive statistical terms and detailed percentage was adopted for clear interpretation and presentation.
Research Design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the Aspects of Noun Phrase in Kurama Language.
Population of Study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information to examine the Aspects of Noun Phrase in Kurama Language. A total of fifty (50) respondents formed the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS, RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was on the Aspects of Noun Phrase in Kurama Language. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the Aspects of Noun Phrase in Kurama Language.
Summary of Findings
Noun phrase also known as nominal phrase (abbreviated as NP) is a type of phrase which has a noun or an indefinite pronoun as head word of its phrase. Noun phrases are very common and are the most recurring phrase type. Noun phrases sometimes function as subjects and objects of verbs, as predicate expressions, and as the complements of prepositions. This is a long essay on the noun phrase of kurama language. It is aimed at describing the structure of noun phrase of the language under Government and Binding syntax. The noun phrase (NP) is the category that codes the participants in the event, or the state described by the verb. The NP is headed by (N), or pronoun (when it will not be modified).
Investigation revealed that nouns do not assign any case. Furthermore, on the assignment of case, all noun phrases that have phonetic content must have case or else they are ill formed. This corollary is known as the case filter which is only detachable in the phonetic form. Case filter states that any NP without a case assigned should not filter out.
The study was carried out to examine the Aspects of Noun Phrase in Kurama Language. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out to assess the phonological system of language, the sound system of kurama language, and its tone and syllable inventory and describe the structure of noun phrase of the language under Government and Binding syntax.
Primary data were collected from the primary source which questionnaire was used as an instrument of data collection while secondary data were sources from textbooks, journals, newspapers and the internet were employed. The data were presented on a frequency distribution table and analyzed using simple percentage. This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
Conclusion
The subject of discussion in this long essay is the aspects of kurama noun phrase. In the course of this research, a lot of feature was observed in the language. It was observed at the phonological level ha the language attests close and open syllables, that is a consonant and a vowel can end a word. It also observed that at the grammatical level, there is the head initial parameter i.e. noun always comes first in a noun phrase, a verb in a verb phrase and a preposition in a prepositionl phrase.
In essence, the research work was successfully researched to meet the objectives set at the beginning of the project work. While one cannot completely rule out one form of limitation or the other, it was a success to a greater extent. On the whole, the research has been a worthwhile exercise. It has afforded the researcher the opportunity to really appraise the situation on the ground and allow one to bring out areas that might need attention for the improvement of the research work.
Recommendation
Based on the findings, the following recommendations are hereby suggested that the government institutions, both federal and state, should encourage individuals who are involved in language development programme to device orthography for the language. Furthermore, research work should be sponsored on the language by government, private bodies and individuals.
Only few across the counter information were provided for in the research work, it is strongly recommended for subsequent researcher to expand the scope of the research work.
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