Wh-Question In Koring (The Movement Of The Wh-Element In Question Formation In Koring)

ABSTRACT

Wh-movement is a transformational process which causes the displacement of a

wh-element from its base generated position to string initial position. This

movement process is used to structurally change a wh-question. This study

investigated the movement of wh-elements in question formation in Kọring.

Kọring is a minority language spoken in parts of Ebonyi and Benue states. The

data used in the analysis were collected from a series of fieldwork undertaken

by the researcher. The data were analysed, using the minimalist framework of

Chomsky (1993, 1995). It is found that both the LF wh-movement and the

syntactic wh-movement are existing in question formation in Kọring. It is also

found that the application of syntactic wh-movement in Kọring has its own

parameter of insertion and movement of constituents. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover page i

Title page ii

Approval page iii

Certification/Statement of Honour iv

Dedication v

Acknowledgement vi

Table of contents vii

List of abbreviations used x

Abstract xii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background of the Study 1

1.2 Area of Study 1

1.3 Objectives 2

1.4 Scope of the Study 2

1.5 Research Methodology 2

1.5.1 Data Collection 2

1.5.2 Data Analysis 3

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 4

2.1Theoretical Framework 4

2.1.1 The Minimalist Programme 4

2.1.2 Shortest Movement 7

2.1.3 Procrastinate 8

2.1.4 Greed 10

2.1.5 Spell Out 10

2.1.6 Checking 11

VIII

2.2 Wh-Movement 13

2.3 Move Alpha 20

2.3.1 Head Movement 21

2.3.1.1 V-to-T Movement 21

2.3.1.2 T-to-C Movement 24

2.3.2 NP-Movement 26

2.4 Minimal and Maximal Projections 29

2.4.1 Minimal Projection 29

2.4.2 Maximal Projection 29

2.5 Constituent Structure Constraint 30

2.6 Copy Theory 31

2.7 Extended Projection Principle 33

2.8 Attract Closest Principle 36

2.9 Vacuous Movement 40

2.10 C-command 41

2.11 Computational System 43

CHAPTER THREE: WH-QUESTION IN KỌRING 44

3.1 Classification of Wh-Question in Kọring 44

3.2 The Landing Site of Moved Wh-expression in Kọring 45

3.3 Wh-Question and EPP in Kọring 47

3.4 Wh-Question and ACP in Kọring 48

3.5 Movement of Wh-Phrase in Question Formation in Kọring 52

3.6 Wh-Question and Vacuous Movement in Kọring 54

IX

CHAPTER FOUR: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 58

4.1 Summary 58

4.2 Conclusion 61

References 63

X

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED