University of Nigeria, Nigeria; University of Nigeria, Nigeria
Vol.9 No.1 (Serial No.14) 2021
126-133
2021-06-30
This paper examines reflexivization and reciprocality in Kalabari with particular attention to the forms, functions and structures of reflexive and reciprocal constructions (the nominal sub-type) in the language. The paper adopts the binding theory as a framework in analysing the data. The data were gathered through interaction and introspection. The findings reveal that reflexives and reciprocals in Kalabari require a compatible clause-mate antecedent due to the strong anaphoric relationship between reflexive and reciprocal markers and their antecedents respectively. The findings further reveal that the form of Kalabari reflexives consists of -ḇù (-self) and the appropriate form of the pronoun in the language. The paper also reveals that the Kalabari language makes a tripartite distinction for number, person and gender, and the form of the reflexive does not change; only the pronoun changes, while reciprocals consist of a reduplicated form jụmọ jụmọ, jápụ jápụ and jéin jéin. In terms of the structure, findings reveal that reflexives and reciprocals come before the verb of the clause in which they occur. The finding further reveals that reflexives in the language perform both non-emphatic and emphatic functions, while reciprocal relates to human and non-human reference of mutuality. Tonal inflection also makes a distinction in 1st person singular and 2nd person singular reflexives. It is therefore recommended that more studies be done to ascertain the form, function and structure of the verbal and possessive sub-type of reflexive and reciprocal constructions in the language.
reflexives, reciprocals, binding, Kalabari, Universal Grammar
doi: 10.26478/ja2021.9.14.7
Agbedo, C. 2015. General Linguistics: Historical and contemporary perspectives [M]. Nsukka: KUMCEE -Ntaeshe Press Inc.
Al-Raba’a, B. I. 2017. Reflexivity and Reciprocality in Arabic [D]. PhD Dissertation. Bloomington: Indiana University.
Chomsky, N. 1981. Lectures on Government and Binding [M]. Dordrecht: Foris Publications.
Chomsky, N. 1995. The Minimalist Program [M]. Massachusetts: The MIT Press.
Laryno, P. K. & N. Glover-Meni. 2019. Causality Related to Coreferential and Reciprocal Structures in Ewe [J]. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 15(3):1188-1203.
Mbah, B. M. 2011. GB Syntax: A minimalist theory and application to Igbo [M]. Enugu: CIDJAP Press.
Ndimele, O. 2004. Principles and Parameters of Universal Grammar: A government-binding [M]. Owerri: Educational Services.
Nishigauchi, T. 2017. Syntax of Reciprocals in Japanese [J]. Journal of East Asian Linguistics, 1(2):157- 196.
Nwosu, C. 2006. Antecedent-Anaphor Relations in Mbaise Dialect of Igbo [D]. MA Thesis. Nsukka: University of Nigeria.
Okeke, C. O. 2008. Reflexivization and Reciprocality in Igbo [J]. Journal of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria, 11:185-197.
Okeke, C. O. 2015. Reflexive and Reciprocal Verbs in Igbo [J]. Igbo Language Studies, 1:87-104.
Otoo, R. 2016. Reflexives and Reciprocal Relations in Ga [J]. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 3(11):141-153.
Radford, A. 1981. Transformational Syntax [M]. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Rooryck, J. & G. V. Wyngaerd. 2011. Dissolving Binding Theory [M]. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Saah, K. K. 2018. The syntax of Reciprocal Constructions in Akan [J]. Ghana Journal of Linguistics, 7(2):52-70.
Uchechukwu, C. 2006. The Reflexive-Reciprocal Polysemy in Igbo [D]. MA Thesis. Nsukka: University of Nigeria.
link: