SYNTACTIC ANALYSIS OF SERIAL VERB CONSTRUCTIONS IN ENUANI DIALECT OF THE IGBO LANGUAGE
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Abstract
This study investigates serial verb constructions (SVCs) in the Enuani dialect of Igbo, with a focus on sequentialisation the linear ordering of verbs within a single clause without overt conjunctions or subordination. By analyzing the syntactic and semantic mechanisms underpinning sequentialisation, the research explores its functional utility in argument sharing, event conceptualization, and the formation of serial predicates. Primary data was gathered through a combination of digital linguistic corpora and interviews with a native Enuani speaker, enabling fine-grained analysis of naturally occurring SVCs. Findings reveal that sequentialisation serves as a critical narrative device in Enuani Igbo, streamlining complex event descriptions through linguistic economy. By eliminating redundant syntactic markers, it enhances discourse efficiency while preserving semantic coherence. This work contributes to understudied aspects of Niger-Congo syntax, addressing gaps in the documentation of Igbo SVCs and enriching typological discussions of serial verb phenomena. Its significance extends to both African linguistics and broader theoretical debates about clause structure and predicate coordination, offering insights into how non-configurational languages achieve syntactic complexity through verb serialization.
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