A Syntactic Reappraisal of Polar Question Constructions in Igb
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Date
2021
Authors
Ilori, J.F.
Onuora, J.
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Abstract
Assumptions in the literature suggest that Igbo language employs a combination of a low-tone and a
resumptive pronoun which agrees with R-expression subjects of question clauses to derive polar
questions. This study, however, additionally identifies a high-pitch intonation, apparently missed out in
the earlier studies, as a crucial functional item in Igbo polar questions (IPQs henceforth). This informs a
reappraisal of the syntactic projection of IPQ constructions undertaken in this paper. Relying on insights
from minimalist grammar and other works within the generative tradition alongside acoustic investigation
of pitch tracks of relevant speech samples on Praat, the paper proposes a complex but split pre-clausal
functional morpheme which subcategorizes for declarative TPs as complement and subsequently, via
internal merge, optionally sandwiches either the Pronominal/R-expression subject of IPQs or the whole
of the declarative TP of IPQs having clause-final particles to derive convergent polar question
constructions in the language.
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Citation
Ilori, J. F. & J. Onuora 2021. ’A Syntactic Reappraisal of Polar Question Constructions in Igbo’. Journal of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria (JOLAN) 24, 2, pages 37-60.