The significance of word order variation in Iraqw sentence structure
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Date
2010
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Publisher
University of Dar es Slaam
Abstract
The basic word order of a language reflects the established patterning of its main grammatical relations. Variation in such case may signal change either in grammatical relations or communicative perspective. This study examines the significance of word order variation in Iraqw sentences using data collected from a sample of native Iraqw speakers and documentary materials. The sample constituted ten informants (five males and five females), who were selected on non-probability basis. The findings reveal that, although the basic word order (bwo) of an Iraqw sentence structure is SOV this bwo is not always constant. The study, therefore, found that the grammatical agreement between the nominal and the verb enables free positioning of these elements without affecting their grammatical relation and conceptual meaning. The nominals (the subject and the object) and the verb can freely be positioned. However, the verb cannot appear at the beginning of sentences with motion verbs. The reordering of elements follows the rule that, communication always develops from what is known (topic) to what is unknown (comment) in the context. The topic tends to occur in sentences initial position and the comment is placed in sentences final position. The permutation of elements in the sentences is therefore determined by the speaker’s communicative intention. The study recommends that, more research be done on intonation and word order variation in non-simple sentences, in order to complement the present study.
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Available in print
Keywords
Iraqw language, Cushitic languages, Southern, Iraqw (African people)
Citation
Alphonce, C.(2010) The significance of word order variation in Iraqw sentence structure.Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Available at http://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/search.aspx