SOURCE:

Faculty: Arts
Department: Modern European Languages

CONTRIBUTORS:

Ibekwe, H. A.
Asadu, F.O.

ABSTRACT:

This study examines the syntax of the predicate in French and Yoruba and gives possible explanations in order to ameliorate the problem of the Yoruba learner of French The literature of related works was reviewed in order to achieve the objective. We made use of qualitative method in collecting the data. The minimalist analysis of the minimalist programme (MP) was chosen as a theoretical model because our classification of predicates is based on syntactic and semantic values .It also tries to explain the language by means of the optimal theory with as few rules as possible. The aim is to have general economic principles. The syntax of the predicatesof Frenchand Yoruba were analyzed using contrastive analysis (CA). We then brought out the areas of similarities and differences between the predicates of Yoruba in order to foresee the problems that Yoruba learners of French as a foreign language encounter. The findings of the data analysis, among others in this research, show that the predicate is an obligatory constituent of the sentences. Furthermore, in French and Yoruba grammar, the constituents of the predicate are grouped, structured and positioned differently. The nominal group which plays the role of verb essential complement is pronominal in French while it is post nominal in Yoruba. The tenses and aspects are marked by the addition of “the” adverb in Yoruba while they are marked by the endings which correspond, in person and in number, with the subject and by the use of auxiliary verbs. These pose syntactic problems to the Yoruba learner of French as a foreign language. The aim of this work is to describe the syntax of the predicate in the two languages (Yoruba and French) and provide possible explanations in order to minimize the problem of the Yoruba learner. This study recommends that the teacher lays emphasis on the differences where there are difficulties. He should use of oral and practical exercises that are based on the French structure, and how to surmount the negative transfer coming from Yoruba language, and also use appropriate methods and well developed instructional materials for the planning and development of teaching the target language in the classroom.