The Grammatical Functions of the Particle [Xin] in Hausa
Keywords:
particle [Xin], Hausa language, grammatical function, Phrase structure GrammarAbstract
This paper investigates the grammatical functions of the particle [xin] in Hausa from descriptive perspective using the Phrase Structure Grammar (PSG) as basis of analysis. The particle [xin] as used by Hausa native speakers has two main functions as discussed in this paper. One, it serves as an emphatic word, confirming a statement, as in the answer to the question 'Audu ka màara?' (Is it Audu that you slapped?) 'E! Audu xin na màara' (Yes! it's indeed Audu that I slapped!). Second, it functions as complement of [-n or -r], where they [-n or -r] cannot be used due to phonological or morphological constraints. The particle [xin] as discovered in this paper serves the grammatical functions of [-n and -r] that is genitival linkers, referential markers and in short possessive construction. [-n and -r] are always used as suffixes attached to NP. However, where the NP has final CVC syllable the attachment is not applicable, as Hausa does not accommodate CVCC syllable structure, hence in this case, [xin] is used instead of [-n or -r] as in ‘riigunàa takwàs xin da ka baa nì sun qarèe (the eight dresses you gave me are finish). However, some words with final CVC syllable optionally used [xin] or accept [-n and -r] by inserting a vowel to break the consonant cluster like ‘ofis xin Musa’ or ‘ofishin Musa’ (Musa’s office). But this is only applicable to words that have a final vowel [i] in their sounds sequence. Morphologically, pronouns do not accept affixation, where the use of [-n and -r] involve a pronoun, [xin] is also used instead, since [-n and -r] cannot be affixed to pronoun.
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