Noun phrases in Xhosa

Abstract

The aim of this study is to expose the internal structure of noun phrases (NPs) in Xhosa. First it is shown/ argued that noun phrases (NPs) in Xhosa are headed by a lexical category which is nominal and non-verbal. This is in contrast to Abney (1987) who claims that noun phrases (NPs) in English are headed by a functional element namely a determiner (D). Different types of nominal heads are discussed in relation to the heads which are overt and the heads which are non-overt. In both cases principles of binding theory are exploited to determine the features of these nominal heads. Beyond the head. the study exposes the r,e lations that hold between the head and other constituents. The constituents which are directly related to the head are analysed according to their essentiality. First those constituents which are essential are discussed to establish their function in relation to the head. Secondly, constituents which are not essential to the head but may function with the head are analysed. This leads to a discussion of all possible constituents that could have relations with the nominal head. Three major constituents namely noun phrases (NPs), cornplementizer phrases (CPs) and particle phrases (PtPs) can either be sister to N° or N1 depending on their function in the head. Several categories such as the traditional adjectives, relatives, possessives, quantitatives, enumeratives, demonstratives, absolute pronouns and emphatic pronouns can therefore be assumed to be crucially relevant in the structure that involves a nominal head.