The morphosyntax of Maasai valence adjusting operations: A minimalist approach

Abstract

The main focus of this study was to analyse valence adjusting operations in Maasai. within Chomsky's Minimalist Program. The research problem focused on valence changing morphemes and how they affect the basic word order in the language. Chapter one introduced the background to the study which included the Maa people and their language, statement of the problem. objectives and hypotheses of the study. the scope and limitation. the theoretical framework and the research methodology. Chapter two examined the Maasai verb. highlighting all the constituents of the verb. The verb root was discussed.the subject marker. the infinitive, the negative marker and tense. aspect and mood. Chapter three dealt with valence adjusting operations. namely the valence increasing and decreasing processes and their effect on the word order. The valence adjusting operations were analysed using the Minimalist program. Data used was elicited from native speakers of Maasai. Chapter four analysed the co-occurrence of valence adjusting operations on the verb and how they affected the basic sentence structure, VSO. Chapter five summed up the study by giving the findings of the study and recommendations for further research.