AN EXPLORATION INTO THE SYNTAX OF NEGATION IN KÚRÀMÀ(ÁKÙRMÌ) LANGUAGE

Abstract

The work explored negation within the Kúràmà language, its patterns
and behaviours as well as its interactions with selected syntactic
domains. It also highlighted the negative markers used in the language
and the environments they are used in. The discussion revolved around
the relationship and interaction between negation and selected
syntactic domains within the Kúràmà language. Findings from the
study revealed negation to a large extent as mutually inclusive with most
domains discussed except for the progressive tense where negation
completely blocks progression and the perfect progressive tense where
negation partially deletes the perfect progressive marker. The study
postulates thus: Declarative and imperative sentences demonstrate a
complex interaction between syntax and negation even without obvious
morphological markers. Focusing, while lacking identifiable
morphological markers too, influences the choice of negative markers,
signifying the existence of structural adaptations. Negation and aspect
interaction is complex, while simple and perfect aspects have a mutually
inclusive relationship with negation. The progressive aspect is
completely mutually exclusive with negation. Certain syntactic
categories such as nouns, singular and plural verb forms, imperative and
auxiliary verbs tend to co-occur with specific negative markers.
Suggesting subtle grammatical variances in conveying negation.