Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Negation is a fundamental aspect of language that allows speakers to express negation or denial. This research project focuses on the aspects of negation in the Bura language, a Chadic language spoken in Nigeria. The study aims to investigate the various strategies and patterns of negation in Bura, shedding light on how speakers of this language convey negation in different contexts. The research employs a descriptive approach, drawing data from native speakers of Bura through interviews, observations, and analysis of linguistic texts. The data collected is analyzed to identify the different forms of negation used in Bura, including morphological, syntactic, and pragmatic strategies. The study also explores the semantic nuances of negation in Bura, examining how negation is expressed with respect to tense, aspect, mood, and other grammatical categories. One of the key findings of the research is the presence of multiple negation strategies in Bura, including the use of negative particles, affixes, and auxiliary verbs. The study reveals that Bura employs a combination of these strategies to convey negation, depending on the context and the grammatical structure of the sentence. The research also highlights the role of word order and intonation in signaling negation in Bura, showing how speakers use these pragmatic cues to convey their intended meaning. Furthermore, the study explores the interaction of negation with other linguistic phenomena in Bura, such as focus, polarity, and quantification. By examining how negation interacts with these linguistic features, the research provides insights into the complex interplay between different aspects of grammar in Bura. Overall, this research contributes to our understanding of negation in Bura and highlights the rich diversity of negation strategies in this language. By documenting and analyzing the various forms of negation in Bura, the study enhances our knowledge of the linguistic structure of this Chadic language and provides a foundation for future research on negation and other grammatical phenomena in Bura and related languages.

Thesis Overview

        INTRODUCTION

1.0.   General Background

          This chapter introduces the language of study, the people speaking the language and their geographical location. It introduces us to the background of the speakers of the language which includes their culture and beliefs.

          Also, a brief explanation of the scope of the study, Method of Data Collection, Genetic Classification and the Theoretical framework used in carrying out the research on the language are discussed.

          This research is aimed at describing the Bura Negation. Bura is a language Spoken in two (2) local government areas in Borno State. The two local governments’ areas are Biu and Shani respectively. The Bura people are about 250,000 in population.

1.1.   Historical Background

According to oral history, Bura speakers were believed to had their origin from the Northern part of Nigeria in Borno State. The State shares border with Niger Republic, Chad Republic and Cameroon Republic and Common boundaries with Adamawa, Gombe and Yobe States.