1.1 Introduction
Syntax is a branch of linguistics that is concerned with how words form phrases and phrases form sentences in its broadest sense refers to both the arrangement and the forms of word. It is a part of language which links together the sound patterns and the meaning. This research is on the Nominal Modifiers in Annang will identify the nominal modifiers, the types of nominal modifiers and their distribution or the places they can occur in sentences in the language (whether they occur before nouns or after nouns). Nominals are word that can be substituted for a noun in a sentence. Modifiers are words that limit the function of a noun in a sentence.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Ibiakpan Akananwan is a variety of Annang language. Ibiakpan Akananwan language is spoken by about 14,000 people in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. Ibiakpan Akananwan said to have gotten it’s history from a woman who was sent parking from her husband’s house for her inability to bear children, she left, having nowhere to reside or live, she went into a bush, (in the present location of Ibiakpan Akananwan) cleared the bush and built a hut and lived there alone until a surveyor came and discovered her that is how people started coming into the place to live and because it is the woman that discovered the place, the people of the community decided to name the place after the woman thus, the name “Ibiakpan Akananwan”. This information about the village was given by the village head.
The Anang speak the Annang language and perform a masquerade after the yam harvest to mark the visit of ancestral spirits, or ekpo. This is also the name of a men's associations that once had great influence among Ibibio groups. The Anang carve masks with grotesque features, known as iliok, which are considered dangerous and may only be viewed by members of the ekpo. Other masks embody the beautiful spirit.
Anaang society is patriarchal. Individuals locate their place in the social world from the Ilip, literally translated as "womb". Thus a brother/sister from the same Ilip means that they can trace their origin to the same mother or father. Those who can so trace their ancestry to the same parents form Ufok (literally a house or compound). Several ufoks make up Ekpuks or extended family and several Ekpuks (extended families) make up "Ilung" (meaning village) and several villages make up the "abie" or clan. This is in many ways similar to the system used by other south eastern Nigerian peoples but more centralized.
Language is a system of communication. Language is a means of communication between individuals that share the same symbols for understanding each other. However, the above explanations of language agree on certain issues. First that language is arbitrary in the sense that there is no relationship or link between a word and what it means and also that language is conventional. In language there exist some form of unwritten agreement or non-instinctive communication; this means that it is a learned behavior used by a group of people in a speech community.
Anaangs value the ability to speak well and oratory ability using proverbs is highly desirable, especially among the leaders. The American anthropologist, Peter Farb, stated that the name "Anaang" among this group means they who speak well. An individual who has the gift of eloquent speech is often complimented as Akwo Anaang, meaning the "Man of Anaang".
Although there are animal signs and computer language it is the speech of human beings that is elaborate enough to be studied. However, any language that is spoken by a group of human beings is a national language. Language is the medium by which the culture and cultures and collective experience of a people are transmitted from generation to generation and also a means whereby the people organize and patterns their lives through processes concept and categories.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Syntax of Nominal Modifiers in Ibiakpan Akananwam (Annang).
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that this research is borne out of an interest of the researcher to settle the issue of languages users who do not find it interesting to make use of their mother tongue in communication.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Syntax of Nominal Modifiers in Ibiakpan Akananwam (Annang). In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To find out if there are Nominal Modifiers in Annang;
- To identify the Nominal Modifiers;
- To identify the positions where they occur; and
- To note the functions they perform in Annang language.
1.5 Purpose of Study
This research is to explore the topic Nominal Modifiers in Annang. The research is born out of an interest on the topic. The purpose of this work is to satisfy one's desire for better understanding of the topic. It is to test the possibility of undertaking an extensive study and to develop the methods to be employed in the study.
1.6 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there Nominal Modifiers in Annang?
- What do you understand by Nominal Modifiers in Annang?
- What is the positions where they occur?
- What are the functions they perform in Annang language?
1.7 Significance of Study
The research work will be of immense benefit to the speech community by making them see the need to preserve their mother tongue, orthographies will be written in the language. The research will increase the knowledge of the community on the topic nominal modifiers.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on nominal modifiers in Annang, the meaning of nominal modifies, the types of nominal modifiers, identify the positions they occur and the functions that nominal modifiers play in Annang sentence.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.10 Methods of Data Collection
The research is conducted via elicitation (the act of drawing facts from somebody). Interview was conducted with the aid of Wordlist, (the Ibadan400 wordlist) and a list of sentences. The instruments that is used to aid and research work are Audio tape, microphone, camcorders, pencils, exercise book etc.
1.11 Definition of Technical Terms
This is the definition of the terms that used in the course of the research.
Syntax: Syntax is a branch of linguistics that is concerned with how words form phrases and phrases form sentences in its broadest sense refers to both the arrangement and the forms of word. It is a part of language which links together the sound patterns and the meaning.
Modifiers: Is a constituent in an endocentric construction, that impacts information relating to the head of the construction. Modifiers are phrases or words that provide description in sentence.
Nominal: Resembling, relating to or consisting of a name or names. Assigned to or bearing a person's name. a group of words functioning as a noun.
