A syntactic analysis of kipsigis copula clauses

Abstract

A copula is a verb whose main function is to link subjects with predicate complements. copula contains a verb that has its own meaning and bears the syntactic function of “the copula.” This study aimed at investigating the syntactical structure of copula clauses in Kipsigis, a Kalenjin dialect majorly spoken in counties of Bomet, Kericho and partly in counties of Nakuru, Narok and Uasin Gishu. The objectives of the study were to examine the types of copula clauses in Kipsigis dialect and to investigate the binding connectivity of Kipsigis copula clauses. This study was couched within the confines of Chomsky’s Minimalist program. This model has been used successfully to analyse a wide range of structures from distinct languages and therefore it seems to be justified to adopt it for examination of copula clauses in Kipsigis dialect. This approach advocates for economy of representation in linguistics analysis and description to ensure that syntactic specification and derivational procedures contain only the essential elements. The study adopted a descriptive research design and the data was collected through self-introspection and triangulation. This study has established that Kipsigis has only one copula element ko. The study has also identified that Kipsigis has four distinct types of copula clauses; Predicational, Specificational, Identificational and Equative Clauses. These various types can be distinguished by using common tests like distribution and licensing of copula dropping and by inversion test. In the literature of Binding theory, binding principles do not apply to Kipsigis copula clauses, where the two phrases flanking the copula come into the structure with the same index. It also shows that Kipsigis copula clauses exhibit a different behaviour with regards to copula constructions. That is, connecting two referential expressions with the copula means that the same reference is given to both of them hence violate the principles of Binding Theory. The findings of this study will contribute to the existing syntax of Kipsigis. It also provides new data in the study of copula clauses as well as contributes to linguistic knowledge in copula clauses and syntax.