The Noun Phrase Structure in English and Maithili: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Noun phrase is one of the important aspects of syntax in any language. This research focuses on noun phrases of Maithili and English language. It attempts to show how noun phrase is manifested in English and Maithili syntax. In this way, it makes a comparative study of noun phrases in both these languages and shows how words and structures are different due to difference in language. It also tries to find out whether world’s languages share common attributes, possesses similar structure, or there lies anything like universal concept in language. There is similar case in both and Maithili in terms of adjective phrases, numerals etc Another important aspect is to show how comfortable a Maithili speaker feels to get used to English linguistic system; similarly how much familiar an English speaker finds to use Maithili language, especially in terms of noun phrases. There is similarity in terms of possessive which exists before head both in Maithili and English.