X-bar Theory Research Articles

Contrastive Causative Construction in Japanese and Indonesian: X-Bar Theory

This study aims to describe causative contractions in Japanese and Indonesian; how causative sentence structures in the form of diagrams through X-Bar theory, their meanings in Japanese and Indonesian, as well as their similarities and differences in both languages. The study used contrastive analysis to compare the causal sentence contraction of both languages. Research results show that the causal sentence construction of both languages is derived from non-causative sentences by converting predicates into causative verbs. However, there are several verbs in both Indonesian and Japanese, which already have a causative meaning, such as korosu (killing), akeru (opening), mawasu (spinning), and others. The causative construction of the Indonesian language is composed of three types: lexical causative, morphological causative, and paraphrastically causative. Japanese causative construction is only in lexical causative, and paraphrastically causative. The causative Japanese sentences are marked by the pronunciation of o-saseru and ni-saseru in intransitive verbs and transitive verbs at the end of the sentence. Also, ni and o-saseru appear in the same sentence as transitive verbs. Causative sentences of Indonesian can be formed by affixing ikan, -i, per-. The basic structure of Indonesian causative sentences is formed from inflections, spacer and verb phrases. The initial structure, predominantly FI over FV then, moved to the [Ses FP] position in its derivative structure.

Serial Verb Construction in Sundanese

This study aims to analyze the construction of serial verbs in Sundanese using the X-bar theory. Data sourced from written Sundanese as the main data and spoken data as supporting data. The method used in this study is a descriptive qualitative method using the X-Bar theory introduced by Noam Chomsky. The results of the analysis show that the Sundanese serial verb construction (BS) has three constructions namely coordinate KVS, incoative KVS, and configurational KVS. Based on the structure of its construction, Sundanese as a language that is typologically classified as an SVO language. The construction of serial verbs in the BS has typological characteristics of a verb-framed language. In terms of syntactic structure, Sundanese serial verbs can have the X-KOMP or X-ADJ structure. These findings contribute to our understanding of serial verb constructions in Sundanese by delineating specific syntactic patterns and typological characteristics unique to the language. The implications of these findings extend to broader language studies, offering insights into the syntactic behaviors of SVO languages and providing practical applications for language preservation and educational frameworks.

X-Bartheory: Its Pros/Strengths and Cons/Weaknesses in Generative Grammar

The X-bar theory is an interesting field in linguistic investigation. X-bar theory deepens our understanding of grammatical structure, and as a result may help us use the language in question (English language) more effectively. This study is a critical review, primarily aimed at exploring and examining the strengths and limitations of the X-bar theory in the analysis of syntactic structures in the English language. While we do not claim that X-bar syntax is the “best” approach to the analysis of [English] sentences, it has advantages over some other approaches. The study proves that despite the limitations of the X-bar theory like overworking the I-node et.c. It is an important theory that is worth studying by linguists as relevant in the study of syntactic structures of the English language. The analytical frameworks provided by contemporary scholars, Aarts and Radford, which ultimately are based on insights of Chomsky, Jackendoff and other scholars going back to the 1970s, are used and adapted for the analysis of sentences in this study. These two linguists use the Transformational Generative Grammar approach in their analysis of English phrases and sentences. It is therefore hoped that this study will provide, in addition to the already existing data, a current material on the X-bar theory especially for researchers in the field of generative linguistics.

ENGLISH FOR BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION: A SYNTACTIC AMBIGUITY ANALYSIS OF A STUDY PROGRAM’S NAME

This qualitative descriptive research aims to explore the different meanings that can be derived from the name of a study program, i.e., English for Business and Professional Communication, using a syntactic approach. The syntactic approach employed was the X-bar theory rules to analyze the possibilities of the structural meaning. The results show three possible structural interpretations of the program’s name: (i) an English language program with two specific objectives, namely business and professional communication, (ii) a program with two specializations, namely English language for business purposes and professional communication, and (iii) an English language program with a specific purpose in the field of communication, which is divided into two sub-fields, namely business communication and professional communication. Thus, the English for Business and Professional Communication study program name is an ambiguous construction with three possible structural readings.

Malay Interrogative Sentences: X-Bar Analysis

This study examines the syntactic behavior of question words of malay in the interrogative construction in north labuhanbatu. This study aimed to analyze the question words of all interrogative types in the language. Therefore, the research data cover question words known as word malay in north labuhanbatu which are derived from the relevant literature. The theoretical framework used in this study is the X-bar theory proposed by Haegeman (1992). The data analysis techniques used in this research were distributed methods which use the language element determination tool itself. The results show that the malay north labuhanbatu partial sentence has a grammatical and complementary grammatical function, while the total question sentence has a complement function. Malay question words can be constructed by specifier, complements, and adverbials. The Malay question sentence formed by specifier functions as an internal structure occupied by the NP and joined by I’ to form an IP. Furthermore, the question words formed by complement functions as an internal structure occupied by PP or NP and joined by V to form the first V'. Finally, the question words formed by adverbial functions as an internal structure that can be occupied by PP or NP to join the first V' then form the second V'.

On the ɛ-Mergence of verbs

A model of semantic Merge based on the well-known X-bar theory of formal grammar is proposed. The model represents the phrase as a result of recursive mental procedure over mental representations of Entities. This is tied to facts from brain research and to propositions from language evolution and child speech development. The resulting tree is that of Fibonacci. When rules borrowed from linguistics are applied to this model and it is described by a formal recursive procedure, it turns out that no more than three Еntities can participate in the mental creation of the argument structure. This begs the question of the valence of verbs, assuming that their image received linguistic expression after it happened to the Entities.

Negativity and Aspect in Mbaise Lect of Igbo

This paper examines negativity and aspect in Mbaise dialect of the Igbo language. The specific objectives of this study are to examine how aspect and negation are marked/realised in Mbaise Igbo, as well as to examine their tonal patterns. Data for the study are got through elicitation method, intuition and printed materials, and are then transcribed and analysed descriptively using the X-bar theory as its framework. Findings reveal the presence of perfective, progressive and habitual aspects in Mbaise Igbo with their various markers. This study equally observes that Mbaise Igbo has two negative markers. Also, these aspect forms can be combined with negations to form negative sentences. In line with the second objective, the findings of this study reveal that aspect has various tone patterns. In the formation of negative sentences, however, these aspect markers do change their tonal patterns. This study concludes that aspect and negation as functional/verbal categories are robust and indeed exist in the Mbaise Igbo.

Frasa Numeralia dalam Bahasa Batak Toba

Every language featured numeral as part of its syntactic system. It is not unreasonable, then, to assume that numerals are one place where cross-linguistic comparisons are especially fruitful and syntactic universals may be uncovered. However, once these systems are examined more closely, the picture becomes a lot more complicated, for it appears that numerals do not belong to a uniform syntactic category. This article is a descriptive analysis of the syntactic category which discussed the numeral phrase structure in the Toba Batak language. The study of this phrase structure applied generative syntax sub-theory; X-bar theory. The research method was from written resources, the distributional method, and intensifying technique. The data analysis results showed numeral phrase structure in the Toba Batak language consists of complement, specifier, adjunct, and nucleus.

Influence of Symmetry Theory on Understanding the Qur'anic Ayas

Symmetry theory is a well-known mathematical theory, which has been applied to physics and chemistry as well as other scientific disciplines. Here, we apply the symmetry theory to language in general and to the Holy Quran in specific. We argue that there is ample evidence for this theory in language such as the X-bar theory, parallelism and the mirror image derivation across languages. We show that there are vertical as well as horizontal types of symmetry, some of which have a line of symmetry while others have a virtual point. The data is analyzed from a semantic angle with some reference to syntax. We focus on symmetry at the Aya (verse) level. The paper found that symmetry can help interpret Ayas of similar wording or similar structures. It also found that symmetry theory presents a solution for the either-or-pause Ayas. Further, it showed how symmetry theory help solve ellipsis in the Holy Quran. Finally, the paper revealed that there are symmetry-less sentences that communicate propositions without the need for a symmetrical image. Keywords: Symmetry Theory, the Holy Quran, X’ Theory, Semantics, Discourse Analysis.

Subject-Verb Agreement in Lasi and English: A Morphosyntactic Analysis

This study investigates the phenomenon of verb agreement (subject-verb agreement) in Lasi and English. This study focuses only on transitive and intransitive verbs of simple tenses to analyze the subject-verb agreement in Lasi. The data have been collected through unstructured interviews with the Lasinatives. The X-bar theory of Haegeman (1994) has been applied as a theoretical framework. Descriptive and exploratory research designs (Creswell, 2014) are used in the study. The results of this study show that transitive verbs in Lasi agree with subjects in number,gender, and person in the present and future tenses, but not in the past. However, intransitive verbs do agree with their subjects in the past tense. English verbs show agreement with their subjects in the present simple tense, but their past and future tense inflections remain the same. The results show that Lasi allows omission of subjects in the surface structure; however, they are recoverable in deep structure.

Adjective in Linguistic Schools: Traditional, Generative, Cognitive

The research is titled (Adjective in linguistic schools - traditional, generative, Cognitive). The research aims to study the adjective in the Kurdish language as a linguistic category. The types of adjectives were classified according to the linguistic schools, based on many principles. The traditional school concerned with the semantic principle to determine the class of adjectives. In the Generative school, the principle of position and function were two basic principles for defining an adjective. In the Cognitive theory, the principles of the adjective-noun relationship, the position of the adjective from the noun, and how the characteristics of nouns are presented through adjectives, were basic principles for defining the adjective and its types. The research is divided into three parts, the first section includes a review and a historical presentation of the researchers’concerns in classifying adjectives and their forms in the Kurdish language. In the second section of the research, examples of adjectives in the Kurdish language are presented from the perspective of the generative theory. Especially on the principle of syntactic case and the X-bar theory. In the third section, I dealt with the classification of adjectives in the Kurdish language from the perspective of Cognitive grammar.

Предикати за реч и перцепция на реч в датски, шведски и български език – с-селекцията като тест за конверсивна антонимия

The article presents several parallels between the s-selection and argument selection of, on the one hand, speech predicates and speech-perception predicates, and, on the other hand, dative predicates and their converse antonyms. The focus lies on the differences and similarities between Bulgarian, Swedish and Danish as regards the deriving prototypical basic sentences containing such predicates, and analogies are made with predicate pairs such as give ~ receive. The main theoretical framework is a minimalist version of X-bar theory.

The Translation Text of Drama “Macbeth”: Grammatical Transformation of Adjunct in Noun Phrase

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s play that used unique and dramatic choice of words in its adjective and noun. Grammatical transformation of adjectival adjunct in noun phrase in the translation text of drama Macbeth has caused the shift of phrase’s meaning. This study aims to identify the grammatical shift by using X-Bar theory. This study is a descriptive qualitative study. The data are collected by using documentation and note taking technique. There are 35 noun phrases collected. The results show that there are 3 types of shift of adjectival adjunct. First, the adjunct is omitted. Second, the adjunct shifts into complementizer phrase. Third, the adjunct shifts into prepositional phrase.

Struktur Frasa Verbal Bahasa Melayu Riau Dialek Kampar: Teori X-Bar

Abstract
 There have been several research studies that discussed verb phrases. But only some researchers analyse the X-bar theory concerning regional languages in Riau. The author attempts to demonstrate the structure of verb phrase in the Malay dialect of Kampar by using the X-bar theory.This study aims to find and analyse the rules structuring verb phrases contained in the Malay dialect of Kampar. This research was conducted through a field observation by using the descriptive method. According to the findings of the study, it is found that the principles for creating verb phrase structures in Kampar dialect were. 1) FV ---> V+N, ŋikIʸ umpʷIɁ ‘(me)motong rumput’/ Cut the grass; 2) FV ---> V+Spes, bagoɣaɁ lo ‘memasak’/ cook; 3) FV ---> Spes+V, ola makan ‘sudah makan’/ have got the food; 4) FV ---> NEG+V+Spes, ndaɁ dataŋ do ‘tidak datang’/ did not come; 5) FV ---> V+V, paʸ makan ‘pergi makan’/ get to eat; 6) FV ---> Adj+V, paya ŋasʷoňo ‘susah mengasuhnya/menjaganya’/ its hard to take care of; and 7) FV ---> V, motoŋ ‘menoreh/menyadap karet’/ tap the rubber.
 Key words: Riau Malay, Kampar Dialect, Verb Phrase Structure, X-Bar Theory

Clause Structure and Word Order in Ákè

Ákè is by historical and linguistic facts a dialect of Edo which has not received significant linguistic attention. This neglect informs an inquiry into the in ternal structure and organization of its basic clause. This paper studies data of everyday usage of competent speakers of Ákè and argues that it displays a subject-verb-object order. The study provides a not too elaborate description of the nominal and verbal constructions in Ákè and reduces the description to analysis using the X-bar theory as conceived within the Minimalist Program. It therefore states that nominal phrases can be analysed as a projection of Determiner Phrase (DP) because independent existence is not a requirement for considering an element as the head of a projection. The variable position which the head D occupies in the superficial syntax of Ákè is analysed as the effect of movement for feature checking. In the spirit of the Minimalist Program, this study recognizes the head of the clause as Tense (T), which could be overt or null and predicts that it dominates Negative Phrase (NegP) as Neg is assumed to c-select the Verb Phrase (VP).

A Comparative Study Of Verb Phrases In Persian And Arabic Based On X-Bar Theory And Its Application In Teaching Arabic To Persian-Speaking Students

A Comparative Study Of Verb Phrases In Persian And Arabic Based On X-Bar Theory And Its Application In Teaching Arabic To Persian-Speaking Students

Noun Phrase in Mandailing Language

This paper discusses on the rules of Noun Phrase (NP) in Mandailing language. The objectives are firstly to structurally examine the phrase structure rules (PSR) of NP in Mandailing language and to investigate the constituents of each rules in NP. The method is descriptive qualitative with a case study. The data taken from the native speakers of Mandailing language through interviewing. The data are the utterances of Mandailing language in daily conversation. The analysis is based on the use of X-Bar theory, to see how NPs in Mandailing language are hierarchically governed and presented in tree diagram. Thus, the findings showed that there are five major rules of NP in Mandailing language, (a) single noun as headword, (b) pre-modifier preceedes head noun, (c) post-modifiers follows head noun, (d) head noun between pre-modifier and post-modifier, and (e) complex NP with coordinative conjunction. Also, there is found particle na to relate NP with the complement such as AP. To summarize, Mandailing language has similar patterns of word order with Indonesia language. Overall, this research gives contribution to provide a deep understanding in studying morphosyntactic in linguistics especially phrase structures beyond the effort on exploring and revitalizing a regional language in Indonesia.

Automatic Arabic Named Entity Extraction and Classification for Information Retrieval

This article tries to explain our rule-based Arabic Named Entity recognition (NER) and classification system. It is based on lists of classified proper names (PN) and particularly on syntactico-semantic patterns resulting in fine classification of Arabic NE. These patterns use syntactico-semantic combination of morpho-syntactic and syntactic entities. It also uses lexical classification of trigger words and NE extensions. These linguistic data are essential not only to name entity extraction but also to the taxonomic classification and to determining the NE frontiers. Our method is also based on the contextualisation and on the notion of NE class attributes and values. Inspired from X-bar theory and immediate constituents, we built a rule-based NER system composed of five levels of syntactico-semantic combination. We also show how the fine NE annotations in our system output (XML database) is exploited in information retrieval and information extraction.

A Theoretical Review of General Linguistic on Linguistic Phenomena in Arabic Language

This paper aims to describe linguistic phenomena in Arabic as seen from general linguistic theories. Based on the universal nature of language, the unique of a language system can be analyzed using external approaches outside of it. By this comparative method, novelty can be found frequently and encourage the development of a theory. The method used is descriptive and comparative. Descriptive methods are used to describe general linguistic theories. The comparative method is used to find the similarities of the two linguistic systems, especially at the syntactic and morphological levels. Several conclusions were drawn. First, at the syntactic level, Arabic has a system that is not much different from the system in general linguistics. Several syntactic theories in general linguistics such as transitivity theory, X-Bar Theory, Theta Theory and Case Theory can be found in Arabic equivalent. Second, in its morphological system, Arabic also has the same word formation processes such as Affixation, Acronym, Conversion, Back Formation, Clipping, Blending, Compounding, Borrowing, and Coinage.

Grammatical and Syntactical Functions of Auxiliaries in English and Urdu

The current study investigates grammatical and syntactical functions of auxiliaries in Urdu and English to draw certain distinctions regarding the behavior, syntactic representation and semantic content auxiliaries add to the main verbs (Vs) through the X-bar theory as a theoretical framework within the minimalist program (MP). The data of the current research were collected from authentic sources (Urdu and English text books and grammars) to consider a diverse range of possible usage of Urdu and English auxiliaries. 200 sentences extracted from textbooks and grammars were analyzed grammatically in terms of morphology, and syntax (through tree-representation and their movement). The findings indicate sharp differences related to the syntactic position of auxiliaries in Urdu and English. In Urdu, auxiliaries always occupy their position after the main verbs in a sentence and their position is fixed and also have the ability to mark number (singular & plural) and gender (masculine & feminine). In contrast, English auxiliaries can only mark number. Another sharp difference is observed in the question formation process. In Urdu, unlike English, auxiliaries cannot be moved from its latent position towards the specifier position at the beginning of the sentence to construct question structures, because, if it happens, the sentence is considered ungrammatical which may result in the violation of MP. The findings of the study would prove helpful for understanding the semantic, grammatical and syntactical nature and behavior of auxiliaries comparatively in Urdu and English.