The structure of determiner phrases and noun phrases in Kanuri: Minimalist approach

Abstract

This paper examines the structure of determiner phrase (DP) and noun phrase (NP) in Kanuri within the theoretical framework of Minimalist Program (MP) by Chomsky (1995). In conducting the research, the researchers use their native speakers’ intuition and other three competent native speakers for data collection and validation of data. The study describes the structure of determiner phrase headed by a covert determiner in Kanuri and the syntactic functions of noun phrase in Kanuri sentence structures. In the structure of determiner phrase, the study identifies head slots and post-head slots in Kanuri as against pre-head slots identified by Fannami et al (1999). On the functions of determiner phrase and noun phrase in Kanuri sentences, the study identifies determiner phrase and noun phrase function as subjects, indirect objects and direct objects in Kanuri sentences. Finally on the Minimalist account, the study identifies Empty Projection Principle [EPP] in a specifier position under the NP moves to a specifier position under the DP in order to check the Phi –features and constraints involved in moving PP node which cannot be merged as specifier due to its selectional properties in Kanuri.