The Phono-Syntax of Pronoun System in Àbèsàbèsì

Abstract

The nature of linguistic research into languages has evolved into inter-lading boundaries between distinct levels of analysis. From interaction between semantics and syntax, socio-phonetics, Morpho-syntax to practically obscure region such as phono-syntax, new discoveries are beginning to direct more

profitable research from the distinct levels to inter-relational approach. The way one level of language

structure interacts with other levels are providing insights into previously seemingly inexplicable

phenomena. The phonology of Àbèsàbèsì as illuminated in Agoyi (2008) presented a clear idea of the

phonological operations the languages of communities spread across two local government areas of

Ondo state in Nigeria. Seven communities within Akoko North-West and one in Akoko North-East use

speech form belonging to the Àbèsàbèsì language family. The focus has shifted away from the distinct

level of phonological patterns to interaction between the phonology and other levels. In this work, we

look at the phono-syntactic relation that could explain some constraints on the form of pronouns system

in the language. The work examines the alternation of certain forms in respect of the syntactic

structuring of phrases involving the use of a subcategory of verbs and pronouns. We argued that the

nature of these alternations can be traced to a non-phonological variance but can be explained in view

of the syntax of the verb phrases and nominal phrases in the language. We specifically illustrated the

role of syntax in the phonological alternations of pronoun forms. Our data show that certain

grammatical features in verbs and functional elements such as persons and numbers do activate

alternations in pronoun forms. We therefore suggest an interaction between the phonology and syntax

of Àbèsàbèsì and we believe that this may extend to other areas of the grammar of the language.

Therefore, the study of Phono-Syntax of the language is strongly proposed.