Deixes in Tharu, Nepali and English

Abstract

This study aimed to identify and compare person and time deixes in Tharu, Nepali and English. For this study, the researcher took sample population consisting of 120 Tharu native speakers from Bara district. The study was based on both primary and secondary data. The responses from the native Tharu speakers through questionnaire and interview schedule distributed to them served as primary data. However, the secondary sources were also used for collecting data for person and time deixes. The responses given by the informants were coded for analysis and interpretation. On the basis of analysis and interpretation, the researcher came to the conclusion that Tharu has more person deitic expressions than English but less than Nepali. Regarding time deitic expressions, Tharu and Nepali have more than English, as two or more terms are used in Tharu and Nepali for the same term in English. The study is divided into four chapters. Chapter one is an introducing one. It includes general background, review of the related literature, objectives of the study and significance of the study. Chapter two deals with the methodology applied to carry out the research under which sources of data, sampling procedure, tools for data collection, process of data collection and limitations of the study are presented. Chapter three presents the analysis and interpretation of the data. In this section both statistical as well as descriptive approaches are used. Chapter four incorporates findings and recommendations of the research. The references and appendices form the concluding part of the thesis.