This research is a contrastive analysis of topicalization in English and Urhobo. Urhobo is a Southwestern Edoid Nigerian language.
Its objective is to explore topicalization in English and Urhobo languages using the basic Chomsky’s Phase theory model to establish points of divergence while noting convergence in the derivation of the investigated phenomenon to highlight areas of learner’s difficulty which will be useful to teachers as best strategies in the teaching process.
The study uses two sources of data, namely primary and secondary sources. Through observation and textbook, internet and dictionaries, data was collected and analyzed. The theoretical framework adopted for the study is the Phase Theory. The data analysis posited that the theory is a suitable mechanism for the analysis of the investigated structure, lexical items are assigned to probes because of the features they must realize the goal and every syntactic operation is done in phases which is the only level of representation.
Before delving into the discussion of the above topic, it is pertinent to try to get clear in our minds the sense in which the word ‘transformation’ is used in this study, since different people have different notions of the term ‘transformation’. The English language like any other language has rules of syntax. Many languages including English have a transformation that moves constituents, which are strings of one or more words that syntactically and semantically behave as a unit, from one part of the phrase structure to another. This means that some sequence of words in a particular sentence can occur in a different position in the same sentence
Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Review of Related Literature
Contrastive Analysis
Theoretical Framework
Phase Theory: A Brief Review
Role of Features in Phase Theory
Delete or Crash: Uninterpretable Features
Materials and methods
Data presentation and analysis
1. Noun Phrase Preposing
2. Direct Object Preposing
3. Verb Phrase Preposing
4. Topic associated with movement
5. Left isolation
Conclusion
Objectives and Core Themes
This research aims to conduct a contrastive study of topicalization in English and Urhobo, utilizing Chomsky’s Phase Theory to identify linguistic points of convergence and divergence. By analyzing how constituents are moved to the clause-initial position to establish a topic, the study seeks to clarify the syntactic mechanisms involved and provide pedagogical insights into areas of difficulty for language learners.
- Application of Phase Theory in comparative linguistics
- Syntactic mechanisms of Noun, Direct Object, and Verb Phrase preposing
- Contrastive analysis of English and the Southwestern Edoid Nigerian language, Urhobo
- Identification of learner difficulties in comprehending topicalized structures
- Formal derivation of topic constructions and the role of syntactic features
Excerpt from the Book
Topicalization
Topicalization is a mechanism of syntax that establishes an expression as the sentence or clause topic by having it appear at the front of the sentence or clause (as opposed to in a canonical position further to the right). It often results in a discontinuity and is thus one of a number of established discontinuity types (the other three being wh-fronting, scrambling, and extraposition). Topicalization is also used as a constituency test; an expression that can be topicalized is deemed a constituent. The topicalization of arguments in English is rare, whereas circumstantial adjuncts are often topicalized. Most languages allow topicalization, and in some languages, topicalization occurs much more frequently and/or in a much less marked manner than in English.
It has been observed that most students find it difficult to relate topicalized sentences to the original code. This development has given rise to confusion and difficulty in the comprehension of such sentences by students. Further to this, transformational generative grammar provides the basis for determining kernel or basic sentences upon which formal transformation can occur and the absence of research on topicalization in Urhobo based on the Phase theory of Chomsky’s Transformational Generative Grammar which is the most recent theory has necessitated this study. This paper shall look these problems with a view to providing students with a sound basis for understanding topicalized sentences from the point of view of transformational generative grammar.
Summary of Chapters
Abstract: This section outlines the research objective to explore topicalization in English and Urhobo using the Phase Theory model to highlight divergence and convergence.
Introduction: This chapter defines the scope of the study and explains the concept of 'transformation' within the framework of English syntax.
Review of Related Literature: This chapter examines previous research on topic constructions, left dislocation, and the necessity of incorporating a topic position above the TP.
Contrastive Analysis: This chapter discusses the systematic study of language and the methodology of comparing two linguistic codes to identify similarities and differences.
Theoretical Framework: This chapter establishes the foundational assumptions, specifically the Phase Theory, that inform the syntactic analysis.
Phase Theory: A Brief Review: This chapter explains the model of grammar in Phase Theory, focusing on the lexicon, lexical array, and the derivation process.
Role of Features in Phase Theory: This chapter details the concept of feature bundles, including valued and unvalued, interpretable and uninterpretable features.
Delete or Crash: Uninterpretable Features: This chapter discusses the conditions under which a derivation succeeds or 'crashes' based on feature valuation.
Materials and methods: This chapter describes the research design, identifying the population (Urhobo speakers) and data collection methods.
Data presentation and analysis: This chapter provides the core syntactic analysis of various preposing structures in English and Urhobo through detailed derivation trees.
Conclusion: This chapter summarizes findings, confirming that Phase Theory is a suitable framework for analyzing topicalization in both languages.
Keywords
Topicalization, Urhobo, Phase Theory, Syntax, Linguistics, English, Contrastive Analysis, Transformation, Feature Inheritance, Derivation, Lexicon, Noun Phrase Preposing, Verb Phrase Preposing, Left Dislocation, Phonological Form
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of this research?
The primary goal is to explore and compare the mechanism of topicalization in English and Urhobo using Chomsky's Phase Theory to identify learner difficulties and syntactic convergences.
Which linguistic theory serves as the foundation for the analysis?
The study is grounded in Chomsky’s Transformational Generative Grammar, specifically utilizing the Phase Theory model.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the syntax of topicalization, the nature of feature valuation, the classification of movements like NP and VP preposing, and the systematic contrastive comparison between English and Urhobo.
What methodology is employed to gather data?
The research uses a descriptive design, collecting primary data through observation and secondary data from textbooks, internet sources, and dictionaries, which are then analyzed by bilingual speakers.
How is the main body of the research structured?
The main body focuses on analyzing specific syntactic structures, including Noun Phrase preposing, Direct Object preposing, Verb Phrase preposing, and Left isolation, supported by visual derivation models.
Which terms best characterize this academic work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Topicalization, Phase Theory, Contrastive Analysis, and Syntactic Derivation.
Why is Urhobo included as the specific target language?
Urhobo is included to fill the research gap concerning topicalization in Southwestern Edoid Nigerian languages and to provide a descriptive reference for future study.
What does the author mean by a derivation that 'crashes'?
A derivation 'crashes' when uninterpretable or unvalued features remain in the structure during the transfer to the interface components (PF or LF), rendering the sentence ungrammatical.
How does the study differentiate between topicalization and left dislocation?
The study differentiates them based on whether they involve movement (sensitive to islands, as in the English topic construction) or external merge (as in left dislocation with a resumptive pronoun).
What role do auxiliary verbs play in VP-preposing?
The study notes that VP-preposing typically requires the presence of an auxiliary verb (like 'will' or 'did'), which is notably left behind during the movement of the VP.
- Citar trabajo
- Orutejiro Oyo (Autor), 2022, Contrastive analysis of topicalization in English and Urhobo, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1176219
