Thematic Relations and Theta Roles of Idoma Verbs

Abstract

This paper is an investigation into the applicability of theta theory of GB to Idoma language. It aims to portray the extent to which the theory can be applied to Idoma. Using verbs as the assignors of roles, it explores the various types of roles that can be assigned in the language while not violating the theta criterion. The roles assigned are in turn used to explain the thematic relations that exist between predicates and arguments within syntactic structures. The thematic relations provide semantic interpretations between constituents of syntactic structures. Also, this paper examines the structural position occupied by arguments which largely determine the theta role assigned to them. The arguments structure of Idoma verbs are explored using the theta grid which also provides knowledge of the subcategorial features of verbs that determine the type of structure they should feature in for the structure to be termed grammatical.