Pronominals in the Maithili and English Languages

Abstract

This thesis entitled "Pronominals in the Maithili and English Languages" endeavors to compare and contrast pronominal systems of English and Maithili languages. The researcher collected data from both primary and secondary sources. The primary sources of the data were native speakers of Maithili language from four different districts of Tarai: Siraha, Saptari, Mahotari and Dhanusha. The sample of population was literate, people were SLC passed and the secondary sources of the data were different books, journals and theses. The research was based on the responses obtained from 45 informants. The researcher used judgmental sampling. The interview was used as research tool for data collection. Among the informants 20 were from Siraha, 10 were from Dhanusha, 10 were from Saptari and 5 were from Mahotary. The researcher used the stratified random sampling procedure to sample the population. The interview was used as a research tool for data collection with help of analysis and interpretation of the data found which are given in brief. Maithili has more numbers of pronouns in comparison to the English language Maithili has existence of honorific, non-honorific, mid-honorific for the second person personal pronouns. And in the third person personal pronouns, there are honorific and non-honorific pronouns. Similarly, demonstrative, possessive, reflexive indefinite have also honorific and non-honorific forms which do not exist in English. So far the number is concerned, the both language have similar in number system. English third person pronouns in English are distinctively used for male and female whereas in Maithili such distinctions are not seen. English has same form of interrogative, relative and correlative pronouns but Maithili has different interrogative, relative and correlative pronouns. The thesis consists of four chapters. They are introduction, methodology, analysis and interpretation, findings and recommendation. Chapter one encompasses general background, review of related literature, objectives of the study, significance of study and definite of specific terms. Chapter two deals with methodology, it encompasses sources of data, sampling procedures, research tools and process of data collection and limitation of study. Chapter three which is the core of the thesis includes the analysis and interpretation of the data. Chapter four incorporates findings, recommendations and pedagogical implications of the study.