Author:Rofiat Omotayo Abdulkareem-Seidu
Date: 05/07/2026
This study investigated the structure and use of negative statements in Kanuri using the theoretical frameworks of Lado’s Contrastive Analysis Hypothesis (CAH) and Chomsky’s Universal Grammar (UG). It aimed to examine negative construction patterns in English and Kanuri and this was achieved by examining ways of negation in Kanuri which are present in English, ways of expressing negation in English which are not present in Kanuri and other ways of negation in Kanuri which are absent in English.The research employed qualitative data analytical approach and purposive sampling technique to get twenty sentences as data for the analysis from the educated bilingual speakers and the monolingual aged Kanuri speakers. Findings reveal that Kanuri employs negation markers (g’yin), lexical negators (ganama, aiyima, nnduma), and particle-based tag questions (wa, la ayi) to construct negation through post-verbal particles and integrated lexical forms, while English relies on auxiliary verbs and independent negators. At the same time, the data demonstrated universal grammatical tendencies which included binary opposition (Chida waz3na vs. Chida waz3yin) and structural dependency in negation (Nngla ro biske farz3yin) which supports UG’s claim that all languages share deep-seated principles despite surface variation. The study concluded that effective language learning requires explicit instruction on structural contrasts alongside opportunities to activate innate grammatical principles through exposure and practice as exemplified in this research.
Keywords: second language learning, negation variation, Kanuri, lexical and sentential level
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