Noun Phrase Structures in English and Limbu Languages: A Comparative Study

Abstract

The present research entitled 'Noun Phrase Structures in English andLimbu language: A Comparative Study' is an effort to describe, to compare andto contrast the noun phrase structures in English and Limbu Languages. Inorder to carry out this study the researcher collected data from the nativespeakers of Limbu in Panchthar district. Data for English Language wereobtained from reference books. The total sample population of the studyconsists of 30 Limbu speakers, who were selected by using judgmentalsampling procedure. The main tool the researcher made use of wasquestionnaire, which was filled in making a face-to-face interview with theinformants. The data were then transcribed phonetically. Reference literaturewas made use of in collecting the necessary data for the English Noun PhraseStructure. On the basis of the collected data, analysis was done using structural-descriptive approach to determine the Noun Phrases in Limbu. In doing so,the established structures of the English Noun Phrase was attempted toreplicate in Limbu as well. After the analysis it was found that both Englishand Limbu Languages display simple and complex Noun Phrases. BothLanguages also share common substantial properties, but they differ in thestructural arrangement of theseproperties. The thesis consists of four chaptersaltogether. Chapter one is an introductory chapter which deals with the backgroundideas as to the study of the topic. It' sets the necessary theoretical background,justifies the significance of thestudy and presents the objectives and limitationsof the study. Similarly, chapter two states the methodology which was followed inthe study. It deals with the sources of data, procedure and tools and process fprthe data and limitations of the study. Chapter three entails analysis and interpretation of the data. It deals withthe description, classification and comparison of the Noun Phrases available inboth the English and Limbu Languages. The analysis has been done underdifferent headings usingdescriptive-comparative structural procedures. Chapter four consists of the findings and recommendations made in lightof analysis and interpretation. It presents the areas in which Noun Phrasestructures differ in the two Languages. It also includesrecommendations fromthe perspective of pedagogical significance.