This research is aimed at discussing the general overview of verb phrase in Migili language. This research work is divided into five chapters which are relevant aspects of the theory of syntax.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgements iv
Table of Contents vi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.0 General Background of the Study 1
1.1 Historical Background of Migili 2
1.2 Socio-Cultural Profile 3
1.2.11 Occupation 3
1.2.2 Religion 3
1.2.3 Festival 4
1.2.4 Mode of Dressing 4
1.2.5 Marriage 5
1.3 Genetic Classification 5
1.4 Scope and Organization of Study 7
1.5 Theoretical Framework 8
1.6 Data Collection 8
1.7 Data Analysis 9
1.8 Review of the Chosen Framework 9
1.8.1 Sub-Theories of Government and Binding 10
1.9 Case Theory 13
1.10 Theta Ө Theory 15
1.11 Binding Theory 16
1.12 Government Theory 19
1.13 Bounding Theory 20
1.14 Control Theory 21
CHAPTER TWO: BASIC PHONOLOGICAL AND SYNTACTICAL CONCEPT
2.0 Introduction 22
2.1 Consonant Sound in Migili Language 22
2.2 Sentence Types 25
2.2.1 Simple Sentence 25
2.3 Basic Word Order 28
2.4 Phrase Structure Rule 29
2.4.1 The Phrase Marker 30
2.4.2 Verb Phrase 38
2.4.3 Adjectival Phrase 42
2.4.4 Prepositional Phrase 44
2.5 Lexical Categories 47
2.5.1 Noun 47
CHAPTER THREE: THE VERB PHRASE OF MIGILI
3.0 Introduction 67
3.1 The Verb Phrase 67
3.2 The Verb Phrase and the Principle of Head Parameter 68
3.3 The Structure of Verb Phrase 69
3.4 The Functions of Verb Phrase I n Migili 107
CHAPTER FOUR: TRANSFORMATIONAL PROCESSES IN MIGILI
4.0 Introduction 111
4.1 Transformational Processes Defined 111
4.1.1 Focus Construction 114
4.1.1.1 Subject NP Focusing 115
4.1.1.12Diret Object NP Focusing 121
4.1.2 Relativization 127
4.1.2.1 Subject NP Relativization 128
4.1.2.2 Object NP Relativization 134
4.1.3 Reflexivization 138
4.1.4 Question Formation 143
4.1.4.1 Yes/No Questions in Migili 145
4.1.4.2 WH-Questions 148
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.0 Introduction 153
5.1 Summary 153
5.2 Conclusion 154
5.3 Recommendations 155
References 156
INTRODUCTION
Language is the fabrics that ties every member of the society together, which serves as an instrument used by man for specific and distinguishable purposes. Indeed, the focus of this research is to shed light on how verb phrases are formed in Migili language. Therefore, the first chapter of this research is focused on the genetic classification of Migili language. As an introductory chapter, attempts shall be made to trace the origin, socio-cultural profile, administrative system, religion, geographical location, topography (life zone) economy, marriage rites, map, genetic classification of Migili. Effort shall also be extended to the organization of the study, theoretical framework together with a review of the chosen theory, data collection and analysis and some syntactic concept.
According to Crystal (1994: 420) syntax is the study of the rules governing the way words are combined to form grammatical sentences in contrast with morphology that studies word structure. This branch of linguistics is concerned with how words are combined to form phrases are sentences in a rule governed manner. In a nutshell, words are not together in a random order, they follow certain observable patterns in any language.
Historical Background of Migili
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 Agyaraoju Obi Local Government, Nasarawa State in Nigeria; with a total population of about 18,000.
History has it that different tribes including Migili, Alago, Eggon all settled at Korofa 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, Minna in Niger State, Kubacha in Kaduna state.
The Eggon tribe are also neighbours of the Migilis with some of them having the knowledge of Migili language.
Today, Migili language has various alternate names such as: Higili, Migili, Koro of Lafia.
