22.3855, Diss: Morphology/Semantics/Syntax: Oha: 'Verb Compounding in Igbo: ...'

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LINGUIST List: Vol-22-3855. Tue Oct 04 2011. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 22.3855, Diss: Morphology/Semantics/Syntax: Oha: 'Verb Compounding in Igbo: ...'

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1)
Date: 26-Sep-2011
From: Amechi Oha [amaho44 at hotmail.com]
Subject: Verb Compounding in Igbo: A morphosyntactic analysis


-------------------------Message 1 ---------------------------------- 
Date: Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:55:31
From: Amechi Oha [amaho44 at hotmail.com]
Subject: Verb Compounding in Igbo: A morphosyntactic analysis

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 Institution: University of Nigeria 
Program: Department of Linguistics, Igbo and Other Nigerian Languages 
Dissertation Status: Completed 
Degree Date: 2010 

Author: Amechi Boniface Oha

Dissertation Title: Verb Compounding in Igbo: A morphosyntactic analysis 

Linguistic Field(s): Morphology
                     Semantics
                     Syntax

Subject Language(s): Igbo (ibo)


Dissertation Director(s):
Boniface Onyemaechi Mbah
Philip Akujuobi Nwachukwu

Dissertation Abstract:

Thesis abstract
This thesis investigates the morphosyntactic properties of the Igbo compound 
verb through the thematic relation framework. The version of the thematic 
relation is the Argument-linking Principle embodying the Feature Percolation 
Convention. Both of them predict the sort of compound that can be formed and 
others that are ruled out. While the Feature Percolation Convention states that 
the properties of a compound derive from the features of the constituents, the 
Argument-linking Principle states that all lexical items must satisfy their 
argument structures in any tree to which they are inserted. In the quest for the 
proper headedness and characterization of Igbo compound, the study employs 
the argument structures inherited by the compounds from the uniting verb heads 
to characterize them into types. The assumption is that it is the verb that 
conveys the predominant meaning among the compounding components that 
heads the compound. In doing so, the study adapts the Case classification of 
Igbo single verbs approach to Igbo compound verb theta role assignment, in 
providing the basic data. Using the relevant frameworks of the Thematic Relation 
theory, the study establishes eleven compound verb types in Igbo each labelled 
by the argument-projecting verb. An examination of the verb heads of the 
compounds reveals three groups of Igbo compound verb headedness: the verb- 
initial head compound, the verb-final head compound and the both-verbs 
argument taking compound. It is also found that there are internal relations 
holding in each individual verb that provide the essential meaning relationship 
necessary for compounding. Where this relationship does not exist, compound 
will not be possible. These findings have revealed some facts that indicate a 
parameterization in verb compounding account as it relates to Igbo. The study 
concludes that contrary to the popular assumption in the literature, Igbo 
compound verbs can be analyzed into their derivational sources and patterned 
into eleven types which in turn maintain a three-way argument linking. The 
recommendations of the study include further investigation to establish the 
phonological and syntactic features of the compound verb including further 
validation of the facts discovered in this study through other frameworks.


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