The morphosyntax of Maasai valence adjusting operations: A minimalist approach
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Date
2008Author
Mbugua, Pauline Gathoni
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The main focus of this study was to analyse valence adjusting operations in Maasai.
within Chomsky's Minimalist Program. The research problem focused on valence
changing morphemes and how they affect the basic word order in the language.
Chapter one introduced the background to the study which included the Maa people
and their language, statement of the problem. objectives and hypotheses of the study. the
scope and limitation. the theoretical framework and the research methodology.
Chapter two examined the Maasai verb. highlighting all the constituents of the verb.
The verb root was discussed.the subject marker. the infinitive, the negative marker and
tense. aspect and mood.
Chapter three dealt with valence adjusting operations. namely the valence increasing
and decreasing processes and their effect on the word order.
The valence adjusting operations were analysed using the Minimalist program. Data
used was elicited from native speakers of Maasai.
Chapter four analysed the co-occurrence of valence adjusting operations on the verb
and how they affected the basic sentence structure, VSO.
Chapter five summed up the study by giving the findings of the study and
recommendations for further research.
Citation
M.A (Linguistics) Thesis 2008Sponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
Depatment of Linguistics, University of Nairobi
Description
Master of Arts Thesis