Aspects of question formation in yiwom

Project Abstract

Question formation is a crucial aspect of language that allows for communication, information gathering, and clarification of thoughts. This research project focuses on exploring the aspects of question formation in Yiwom, a lesser-known language spoken in a specific region. The study aims to investigate the syntactic and morphological structures involved in forming questions in Yiwom, as well as the pragmatic functions and cultural influences on question formation in this language. The research methodology includes a combination of descriptive analysis, fieldwork data collection, and linguistic theory application to analyze the question formation patterns in Yiwom. Data will be collected through recordings of natural conversations, interviews with native speakers, and written texts in Yiwom. The analysis will focus on identifying the different types of questions in Yiwom, such as polar questions, wh-questions, and alternative questions, and examining the word order, verb morphology, and intonation patterns associated with each type. Furthermore, the study will explore the pragmatic functions of questions in Yiwom, considering how questions are used to seek information, express uncertainty, or convey politeness in different contexts. Additionally, the research will investigate any cultural influences on question formation in Yiwom, such as traditional beliefs, social norms, or historical factors that may shape the way questions are formed and interpreted in this language. Overall, this research project aims to contribute to the broader understanding of question formation in understudied languages like Yiwom and shed light on the unique linguistic features and cultural aspects that influence communication in this language. By examining the syntactic, morphological, pragmatic, and cultural dimensions of question formation in Yiwom, this study seeks to provide valuable insights into the complexity and diversity of language structures and usage across diverse linguistic communities.

Project Overview

<p> </p><p>The main objective of this research word is to study question formation (i.e. how question are formed). According to stock well (19971), “To study syntax is to study aspect of how sentences are formed and how they are understood”.</p><p>Question formation is one of the transformational processes. Transformational rules are rules that convert the deep structure to surface structure. In other words, transformed rules are used to transform the input (deep structure) to output (surface structure).</p><p>According to Radford (1997:1) defined syntax as the way in which words can be combined together to form phrases and sentences. Syntactically, no human language allows sentences to be formed by stringing words together randomly. Every human language has a regular and peculiar pattern in which words must be combining to form sentences in that language.</p><p>This chapter will reveal the historical background, socio-cultural profile, the genetic classification and geographical location of yiwom language. This chapter also consists of the scope and organization of study research methodology, and the brief review of the chosen frame work.</p><p>1.1 Historical Background</p><p>Yiwom people are the major dominant group of miktang</p><p>Local Government Area of plateau state. They are notably known as Garkawa people.</p><p>The yiwom are also known as Garkawa, Garkarchi garka and Gurka. Hiel-yiwom is what they call their town but6 fulani calls thyem Gerkawa. It is a unit in the south-east corner of the present miktang and local government area and a bounded in the North and East by the lantang section of Yergam, south –east by the way to Damper, south by inshar and west by the Latin section of montol.</p><p>The yiwom people have been in their present home for upwards of two hundred years. The piton came to the area first and provided itself a stockaded town at a place called Hakbap. The Rohta followed second and settled in kie-hiel at Rohta-Hills, north of Hiel yiwom. Other families arrived in large detachments, one father the other, and took refugeat Kiel- hiel Rohta rock was fortified and his capable of withstand siege.</p><p>The middle of nineteenth century, the families came from their hill to live in their present homes. Yiwom was once divided into two distinct sections; hill and plain. The former at Rohl Mountain that they are from river guinea in the hills, while the pitop says that theirs emerged from the earth.</p><p>The word Yiwom in Yiwom dialet means “leaves”. The analogy being; as trees grow out of the ground, so their ancestors came into being. The name Garkawa was given to them by Fulani / Hausa traders owing to their stubbornness. The name derived from word “Gagararru” which in the course of time became “Garka” and “Bagarka”. Finally, Garkawa legend points to the fact that all the families mentioned and who call themselves Yiwom or garkawa of Jukum stock that migrated after the break up of kwarrafa empire (west of Bukundi) and wondered until they settled down at Garokawa town.</p><p>Geographical Location. &nbsp;The home of the Yiwom speaker is situated in the south-east of the present miktang L.G.A. formerly at shedam and long tang. It is found in latitude. 9000North east. It converse an area of an approximately 139km2which 285.3 square meter.</p><p>1.2 &nbsp; &nbsp; Socio-Cultural profiles</p><p>Socio-cultural profile has to do with the relationship between</p><p>the society and culture. It has to do with the people’s way of life. This includes occupation, ceremonies belief religion and marriage</p><p>Occupation: the basic occupation of Garkawa was and is</p><p>farming. All kinds of cereal like guinea corn, millet are growing by them. They also have all the agricultural products like sugar cane, irish potatoes, onions.</p><p>They are formidable warriors.</p><p>Food: the Garkawa people have various types of food probably</p><p>because they are farmer. They eat kukashi; kukashi is made with grinded guinea corn. Their best drink in “Buruku” which is made from millet.</p><p>Religion: Garkawa practice all kind of religion including</p><p>Christianity, Islamic and animism. But, the major religion in Garkawa town is Christianity</p><p>Marriage: in Garkawa custom, there are three modes of</p><p>contracting a marriage, and these are marriage by cousin, marriage by system of exchange, by payment of small customary bride price.</p><p>Marriage by coursing: this was refers to as the best form of</p><p>Marriage in the sense that they keep wealth within the family. The most important reason is that divorce is not permissible and therefore was permanent. They are ruled by chief called “Niwo” and God is refers to as “Na’an”.</p><p>Marriage by system of exchange: in this case, the wife and</p><p>her offspring virtually become the husband’s property; but this with the passage of time has died out.</p><p>Marriage by payment of small bride price: under the small</p><p>bride price system, it was easy for a woman to change her husband.</p><p>The Garkawa people do not all stealing, crime and adultery was</p><p>a punishable offence. A person abuse of witch craft is burnt alive. In former days, the people was feared by all and conquered by none. “Write Narhtable middle tone, resident of plateau province 1931.</p><p>Garkawa people do not have a tribal mark except for personal</p><p>adornment. Circumcision rates among male children are done every year. It was regarded as a rebirth. The custom and tradition disallow circumcision of female children. Children are first taught mother tongue in yiwom, Goemai and kukum language.</p><p>1.3 Genetic Classification</p><p>Genetic classification show how languages relate to each other. African languages are classified into four Afrositic, Niger kordofonism, Nilosahara and Khoisan.</p><p>Yiwon language is part of chadic family which in turn part of</p><p>Afro-asiatic family. Afro-asiatic consists of some 353 languages and Chadic is made up of 200 languages (ethnologies website). Yiwom is one of 200 Chadic languages.</p><p>Afro-asiatic</p><p>Chadic &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; senitic &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Cushitic &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ancient Egyptian &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Berber</p><p>Mandra &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Gudder Musgu &nbsp; Bana &nbsp; sahel western bata-tera &nbsp; gisila daba-</p><p>group group &nbsp; group &nbsp; group &nbsp; &nbsp; matakam</p><p>group</p><p>Hausa &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ngizim &nbsp; Nargawa &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Bolewu plateau</p><p>group &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; group &nbsp; group &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; group &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Bolewa sub group &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ron sub group &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;plateau group &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Angas Ankwe Boroi &nbsp;Chip &nbsp; Dimuk &nbsp; Gorom Jorto kwalla &nbsp; Minam Montol</p><p>Sura &nbsp; tai &nbsp; yiwom</p><p>A genetic and decimalized classification for bibliographic and general references by Derek iraz and Patricia .E. Scott, 1997, published by G.K. Hall and co.70 Lincoln street, Boston, mass.</p><p>1.4 &nbsp; &nbsp; Scope and Organization of Study</p><p>Chapter one is the introductory part of this project which consists the general introduction, historical background, socio-cultural profile, genetic classification, scope and organization of study research methodology and the brief review of the chosen frame work.</p><p>Chapter two is one of the basic syntactic concepts including a brief</p><p>phonological analysis of yiwom language.</p><p>Lexical categories phrase structure rule, basic word order and</p><p>Sentences type.</p><p>Chapter three will reveal the topic of the research work. Question</p><p>formation will be discussed bringing examples from yiwom language.</p><p>Chapter four will be an extension of the types of question we have.</p><p>Chapter five contains the conclusion, summary and recommendation.</p><p>1.5 &nbsp; &nbsp; Research Methodology</p><p>The method used in collecting data in this research work is through Ibadan 400 word list and frame techniques method. The word list helps a researcher to obtain both phonetic and phonemic consonant and vowels system of the language understudying. It also give information on the lexical items of the language.</p><p>All these are made possible through the help of a language helper (i.e the native speaker of the language). Language helps is also known as “informant” these people helped as informant for the collection of data needed in yiwom language.</p><p>The data will be analyzed by frame techniques method. Frame</p><p>techniques method makes it easier for the field researcher to determine the constitute of the language to collect data, sentences / phrases are written in English language and the equivalent is supplied in that language by the language helper.</p><p>In this researcher work, all work will be done using frame technique</p><p>method because the work is based on syntax, which deals with the arrangement of words.</p><ul><li>Brief Review of the Chosen Frame Work.</li></ul><p>The theoretical frame work that will be adopted in this research work is Government and Binding theory. Chomsky in (1981) propounded the Government and binding theory that operates through modules of grammar x-bar, theta, case control, bounding government and movement theory. This theory will be used in analyzing question formation in yiwom language.</p><p>Haegman (1994:3) defined Government and bounding theory as a universal grammar, which is the system of all principles that are common to all human language. GB theory is a radical revision of Chomsky’s enlier theory in 1981 and was later revised in a minimalist programme for the theories in (1993).</p><p>Government and Binding Theory, is a theory of Syntax in the tradition of transformation graminar developed by Chomsky (1987).GB eliminates proliferation of transformational rules like affix hopping, passivization, question formation, equlip, deletion, raising, verb number agreement, insertion. It must be noted that of all the numerous transformational rules we have under transformational grammar, only the movement ruler lce move ‘L’ is retained in the new G.B. theory.</p><p>In current government and binding frame work, it distinguished</p><p>Between the two types of categories of Syntax. We have;</p><ol><li>lexical categories</li><li>functional categories</li></ol><p>Lexical categories in any human language includes Noun, Verb, Adjective and Preposition.</p><p>Functional categories includes element like Complimenrier, Tense, Inflectional, Determinant, Focus and Agreement.</p><p>Syntactically, while the lexical category proofed up to a single bar</p><p>level and terminate their, this making endless recursion possible with the aid of elements like complements and modifiers, the functional categories project up to the specifier of XP level, thus, sealing off projection. A specifier is an element that closes off a category projection.</p><p>Lexical categories are presented with the aid of a diagram</p><p>NP = N” (XP) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; VP =V” &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; AP = A” (XP)</p><p>Spec &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; N1 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; spec &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; spec &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; A1</p><p>Det &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;N0 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; slcep &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Deg &nbsp; A0</p><p>The &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; man</p><p>PP = p” (xp)</p><p>Spec &nbsp; &nbsp;p1</p><p>P0</p><p>on</p><p>Functional categories can also be represent with aid of a diagram</p><p>Fp &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Dp &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Fp</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Spec &nbsp; &nbsp; F1 &nbsp; &nbsp; spec &nbsp; &nbsp; D1 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; spec &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I1</p><p>F &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ip &nbsp; &nbsp; (heat) D &nbsp; &nbsp; Np &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Vp</p><p>I</p><p>TNS &nbsp; AGR &nbsp;Spec &nbsp; &nbsp;V1</p><p>V &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; N</p><p>Cp</p><p>Spec &nbsp; C1</p><p>(heat)</p><p>C &nbsp; &nbsp; Ip</p><p>The maximal projection of a lexical node is the phrase node</p><p>with the maximum number of that level for example the maximal projection of N’is N”.Since the government and binding theory is a modular deductive theory of grammar, it has some sub-theories with which transformed operates.</p><p>The sub-theories do not operate in isolation. They are:-</p><p>X-bar theory</p><p>Theta (θ) theory</p><p>Control theory</p><p>Binding theory</p><p>Government theory</p><p>Bounding theory</p><p>X- Bar theory</p><p>Structure &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Projection</p><p>Principle</p><p>Move – α</p><p>Case theory (Bounding)</p> <br><p></p>