This research is
aimed at describing an aspect of syntax of Kaninkon language. And our focus is
negation in the language.
Kaninkon is a
language spoken in Jema’a local government area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The
native speakers call themselves kyung (Kaninkon). Although, the Kaninkon is not
a major group in Nigeria, yet the speakers are found in various part of
Nigeria, especially in the Northern part of the Country.
The Kaninkon people
are among the indigenous tribe of Jema’a local government and Kafancha area in
particular. The areas they occupy traditionally has border with Kagoro to the
North-East, Bajju to the north, Kagoma to the West, Numana and Mada to the
South. They are brothers with Nindem and Kanufi who are also to the South East.
In this chapter, we
shall discuss the historical background of the speakers, the geographical
location, social cultural profile of Kaninkon people and the genetic
classification of the speakers together with the aims and objective of this
research. In this chapter also, we shall be reviewing G - B syntax and relevant
literatures on negation as a syntactic process in human language. And also, we
shall mention the scope and organization of the study, statement of the
research problems and research questions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tittle Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgements iv
List of Abbreviations
and Symbols vi
Table of
contents vii
CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL
BACKGROUND
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Historical
Background 2
1.3 Geographical
Location 2
1.4 Socio Cultural
Profile 3
1.4.1 Dressing 3
1.4.2 Religion 3
1.4.3 Festivals 4
1.4.4 Occupation 4
1.4.5 Marriage 4
1.5 Genetic
Classification 4
1.6 Statement Of The
Research Problem 6
1.7 Aims and
Objectives 6
VII
1.8 Research
Question 6
1.9 Scope and
Organization 7
1.10 Data
Collection 7
1.10.1 Field
Methodology 8
1.11 Data
Analysis 8
1.12 Review of the
Chosen Frame Work; G.B Syntax 8
CHAPTER TWO : BASIC
SYNTATIC CONCEPTS
2.1 Introduction 19
2.2 Basic Syntactic
Concept 19
2.2.1 Lexical
Categories in Kaninkon 19
2.2.2 Phrase
Structure rule 26
2.2.3 Basic Word
Order 32
2.2.4 Sentence
Type 34
2.3 Functional
Classification of Sentence 36
2.4 A brief
Phonological Aspects of Kaninkon 39
2.4.1 Tone 39
2.4.2 Syllable
Structure 40
CHAPTER THREE :
NEGATION IN KANINKON
3.1 Introduction 43
3.2 Negation 43
3.3 Types of
Negation 44
3.4 Negation in
Kaninkon 50
3.5 Negation Markers
in Kaninkon 51
3.5.1 Sentence
Negation 51
CHAPTER FOUR :
NEGATION AND TRANSFORMATIONAL PROCESSES IN KANINKON
4.1 Introduction 75
4.2
Transformation 75
4.2.1 Negation and
Relativisation 76
4.2.2 Negation and
Passivisation 85
4.2.3 Negation and
Focusing 93
CHAPTER FIVE :
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Introduction 102
5.2 Summary 102
5.3 Conclusion 103
References
Historical Background
According to oral
history, the Kaninkon is said to have originated from Katsina State, Nigeria.
They may probably descend from the Kaita family in the present day Katsina
State. This might have been made known from oral history passed down from our
forefathers. Evidence of this origin can be noticed from the characteristics of
both the Kaninkon and Hausa of Katsina. One of such features is the tribal
mark. And the mode of burial was the same; both decorated the perimeter of the
grave with broken pots.
The initial migration
involved many clans but probably due to inter clan conflicts only two clans
constitute the Kaninkon. They are Turan and Ngbechio. It is believed those who
migrated from Katsina finally settled in a place called Gwok in the present day
Gwong (Kagoma).
In the course of the
conflicts already mentioned, other clans migrated further leaving behind the
two clans at the present day geographical location-Gyannek (Bakin Kogi). The
other break away clans may constitutes the other neighbouring people with the
Kaninkon who share similarities in the language and culture.