Issues on the Categorial Status of ‘Òun’ in Yorùbá
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Date
2012
Authors
Ilȯri, J.F.
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Abstract
This paper examines issues on the categorial status of òun in
Yoruba grammar, particularly its status as conjunction. It draws
insight from binding theory to show that in Standard Yoruba and
other related dialects, such as Ìlàjė, òun is constantly anaphorically
bound by the first of the two nominal constituents it purportedly
coordinates in line with binding rule and binding principle ‘B’
within the particular phrasal context where it is often analysed as
conjunction. Relying on data from South-Eastern Yoruba dialects
(Oǹdó and Ào) and a Central Yoruba dialect (Òmùò-Arárò ̇mí)
where there is clear cut evidence for two òun in the lexicon, one
of which is non-referential unlike the òun in Standard Yoruba, the
paper shows that the use of òun as conjunction in Ào, reported
in Taiwo (2005), is not exclusive as there are other dialects in the
language that do the same. The paper however provide additional
evidence to demonstrate that the claim that òun is a conjunction
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Citation
Ilori, J. F. 2012. ‘Issues on the Categorial Status of òun in Yoruba’. Journal of Universal Language, Vol. 13, No. 2, pages 35-64. Sejong University Language Research Institute, Seoul, Korea. Available @ www.unish.org