Particle Choices and Collocation in Cameroon English Phrasal Verbs

Napoleon Kang Epoge

doi:10.7575/aiac.alls.v.7n.1p.105

Abstract

The meaning of some phrasal verbs can be guessed from the meanings of the parts (to sit down = sit + down, run after = run + after) and the meaning of some others have to be learned (to put up (a visitor) = accommodate, to hold up = cause delay or try to rob someone) due to their syntactic and semantic complexities. In this regard, the syntactic and semantic properties are expected to be the same in every English speaking context. Thus, this paper aims to explore the input-oriented syntactic and semantic properties of phrasal verbs in Cameroon English. Findings reveal that the syntactic property of some phrasal verbs undergoes innovative processes such as particle substitution (to round up a point), omission (to bite more than you can chew), and redundancy (to meet up with the requirements); while the semantic property undergoes the process of semantic extension (to came out with a pathetic story to justify ones absence from office; to come out with a wonderful strategy to curb corruption), and semantic shift (to put up with someone for one semester). This reveals that, in the New English context such as Cameroon, users resort to the domestication of the alien language as a functional and dominant paradigm to combat cultural imperialism and express new identity. Keywords: Cameroon English, collocation, particle, phrasal verb, semantics, syntax

Highlights

The view of language as a system for meaning potential implies that language is specific to context and must be studied within the social and geographical contexts it operates
Let me round up this point
This paper has examined the use of adverb and preposition particles in the construction of some phrasal verbs by ESL learners/users Cameroon

Summary

Introduction

The view of language as a system for meaning potential implies that language is specific to context and must be studied within the social and geographical contexts it operates. The English language used in environments different from its origin would adjust and change to suit its new environments Such indigenized varieties are spoken mainly as second languages in many ex-British colonies with multilingual populations such as Cameroon, Nigeria, and Ghana. The differences between the new varieties and the standard variety may be viewed from the aspects of phonology, syntax and semantics invoked naturally or otherwise to express new identities. To this end, this paper aims to examine innovations in particle choices and collocation in Cameroon English phrasal verbs. The paper is divided up into five phases: overview of phrasal verb literature, theoretical paradigm, methodology, results, and discussion of findings

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Conclusion