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The following was posted to the Igbo language & ICT board http://www.quicktopic.com/17/H/tCcDxVXHgQxN : Linguists at the University of Pennsylvania are conducting a study of causative verb sequences in Igbo, such as "do-ka" (pull-torn). The grammar of these sequences, we have found, contributes very importantly to the general theory of verbal structures in the languages of the world. The study requires native speakers to give judgments about the grammaticality and meaning of sentences in Igbo. An ability to think objectively about your language will therefore be helpful. An example of the sort of distinction we will rely on consultants to make is given at the end of this announcement. We would like to meet with consultants in person, in any convenient setting. This will require that he or she lives between New York City and Washington DC. Meetings may be 60 or 90 minutes long, with a reimbursement rate of $15 per hour. It would be ideal to have at least three meetings, if feasible. There is also some possibility of conducting interviews by email. If you are interested, please contact Alexander Williams at: alexand3@babel.ling.upenn.edu ****** Sentences (1) through (4) below illustrate one kind of pattern we are investigating. (1) and (2) are acceptable sentences of Igbo. Yet the pair of (3) and (4) is different. While (3) fine, (4) is generally judged ungrammatical. We are interested in collecting such pairs, and in explaining the contrasts. (1) Adha dokara akwa a 'Adha pulled this cloth apart.' (2) Akwa a dokara adoka 'This cloth is pulled apart.' (3) Eze zopiara esu 'Eze stomped the millipede to bits.' (4) *Esu zopiara azopia Intended meaning: 'The millipede is stomped to bits.' Principal investigator: Professor D. Embick Research assistant: A. Williams University of Pennsylvania Department of Linguistics Please contact A. Williams at: alexand3@babel.ling.upenn.edu
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