VERB PHRASE IN ISE

ABSTRACT This research focuses on the syntactic domain of verb phrases in the Ise dialect spoken in Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo, Nigeria. Verb phrases (VPs) are integral components of language structure, encompassing the main verb and its modifiers, and are crucial for conveying meaning in any linguistic context. The primary aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the verb phrase in Ise dialect, with specific objectives including: analyzing the structural aspects of verb phrases, identifying different classes of verbs present in the dialect, investigating the role of aspectual markers, and examining the sentence structure within the dialect. The research employs Government and Binding Theory (GB) to analyze the focus construction in Ise dialect. GB Theory provides a sophisticated framework for understanding language by connecting different levels of linguistic rules through transformational processes. This approach is advantageous as it reduces the need for numerous transformational rules, such as those for passive constructions, word order adjustments, verb agreement, question formation, and phrase rearrangement. The study thoroughly examines how verb phrases are constructed in Ise, including both transitive and intransitive verb classes. It explores specific characteristics of Ise verbs, such as their sentential complements, tense, and aspectual markers. Additionally, the research investigates the process of negating verb phrases and identifies the negative markers that induce transformational effects on verbs in the Ise dialect. The findings provide insights into the syntactic and semantic properties of verb phrases in Ise, contributing to a deeper understanding of its grammatical structure.