Negation and Question Formation in Tamang and English Languages: A comparative Study

Abstract

This research entitled ‘Negation and Question Formation in Tamang and English Languages’ is an attempt to identify the processes of negation and question formation in Tamang, to compare and contrast them with those of English and suggest some pedagogical implications based on the findings. In order to accomplish the objectives of the study, both primary and secondary sources of data have been used. The sample population of the study consists of fifty Tamang native speakers selected through purposive sampling procedure to elicit the required data. Data for English language has been taken from secondary sources. A set of questionnaire was used to elicit the data from educated informants and the same questionnaire was used as an interview schedule for illiterate informants. The collected data has been analysed, interpreted and presented descriptively as well as with the help of tables. The major findings in a nutshell show that the negative auxiliaries ‘are / are-ba’ and negative prefix ‘a-‘ are the main negative markers in Tamang. ‘Yes/No question’ in Tamang is formed with the same SOV word order as the declarative sentence but with rising intonation. Unlike in English, no ‘subject-aux. inversion’, ‘do-insertion’ and ‘question word fronting’ rules apply in Tamang question formation. This thesis consists of four chapters. Chapter one introduces the study in terms of general background, quick glimpse of ELT in Nepal, brief introduction of Tamang people and language, review of the related literature, objectives and significance of the study. Chapter two deals with methodology applied to carry out the research work that encompasses sources of data, sampling procedure, tools and process of data collection and the limitations of the study. Chapter three is the analysis and interpretation of the data. Chapter four presents the findings and recommendations.