SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This thesis presents part of the syntax of Hausa within the framework of Transformational Generative Grammar, the specific area investigated being various aspects of nominalisation. After a theoretical introduction chapter 1 gives an analysis of the Hausa complement system in terms of embedding a sentence within an NP. Chapters 2, 3 and 4 analyse in some detail four different kinds of nominalisation and present evidence in support of Chomsky's lexicalist hypothesis i.e, that at least some such nominals should be entered directly in the lexicon rather than be transformationally derived from underlying sentences. There follow three appendices: one summarising and exemplifying the phrase structure rules presupposed in the preceding analysis; one giving a selection of the main transformational rules discussed; one listing a representative sample of verbs with their different complementation possibility The thesis closes with a bibliography of references cited.