Negation of Relative Clauses in Ijebu Dialect

Student: Barakat Omolola Yisa (Project, 2025)
Department of Linguistics and Nigeria Language
University of Ilorin, Kwara State

Abstract

Project Abstract

This research examines the negation of relative clauses in the ljebu dialect of the Yoruba language, contributing to the broader understanding of Yoruba syntax and minority dialect structures. While relative clauses are fundamental to Yoruba grammar, their specific negation processes within the unique linguistic tapestry of the ljebu dialect have received limited attention. This study utilized the principles of the Minimalist Program (MP) framework to analyze both restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses in their affirmative and negated forms.

The key finding reveals that negation in ljebu relative clauses is primarily governed by a distinctive change in tone. Specifically, a falling tone on the complementizer, such as 'rèê', indicates an affirmative clause, while a rising tone, 'réě', marks the negated form. These structural differences confirm the complexity and richness of ljebu's syntax.

In conclusion, this investigation into negative relative clause structures illuminates the syntactic mechanisms that characterize the ljebu dialect. The findings not only serve as a foundational resource for linguistic research but also underscore the importance of preserving and studying minority dialects like ljebu, which hold significant cultural and linguistic value.

Keywords
Yoruba ljebu dialect relative clauses negation syntax Minimalist Program restrictive clauses non-restrictive clauses tone change Nigerian linguistics
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