Syntactical analysis of Kipsigis Copula Clauses

Abstract

Copula is a verb whose main function is to link subjects with predicate complements. In a limited sense, the copular refers to a verb that does not have any semantic content but links subjects and predicate complements. In a broad sense, the copular contains a verb that has its own meaning and bears the syntactic function of “the copular”. This study aimed at investigating the syntactical structure of copular clauses in Kipsigis, a Kalenjin dialect majorly spoken in the counties of Bomet, Kericho, and partly in counties of Nakuru, Narok, and Uasin Gishu. The objective of the study was to examine the types of copular clauses in the Kipsigis dialect. 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 the examination of copular clauses in the Kipsigis dialect. This approach advocates for the 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 corroborated by five informants through Language Generative Exercise. 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. The findings of this study 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