The syntax of WH - words in Kimeru

Abstract

This work is an investigation into the syntax of the wh words of Kimeru. It aims at analysing Kimeru constructions that contain wh words with a view to finding out how the latter structure and function in the language. The study is carried out within the Government and Binding framework. Since there isn't much that has been written on the grammar of Kimeru language, we begin our study with a section on linguistic and historical background to the study for the sake of readers who might not have any knowledge of this particular language that we are analyzing. This is then followed by a discussion of the theoretical framework to be employed and a brief review of related literature. In the second chapter we present a syntactic analysis of the simple sentence (clause) in Kimeru. We establish the constituents of the clause in Kimeru, and also present functional typology of Kimeru sentences aimed at establishing the construction types of Kimeru that contain wh words. The chapter then closes with a brief discussion of the wh - words of Kimeru. This chapter is designed to serve as a prelude to chapter three in which we present and analyze our data on the syntax of wh - words in Kimeru. Chapter three therefore opens with a section that seeks to establish the wh - positions In - Kimeru. After that we discuss the effects of the rule of wh - movement in Kimeru wh - questions, relative clauses and cleft constructions. The study then closes with a conclusion that the rule of wh wh movement is operative in Kimeru language in two ways. -questions it is optional level, at the s structure In and obligatory at the LF whereas for wh - relative clauses and cleft constructions the rule operates obligatorily both at the s Structure and also the LF level. Subsequently we applaud the G8 theory in its ability to effectively handle data from yet another natural language.