Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development

Working within the framework of minimalist program, this paper examined the variation in English and Igbo Wh-words. The study adopted a survey design and used secondary sources and the researcher’s native competence to elicit data for analysis. The analysis showed the parametric variation in both languages. The Wh-word in English surface structure is a product of movement, while a two-way structure – based derivation and movement trigger exist in the Igbo language in overt syntax. The paper concluded that the knowledge of the parametric variation of Wh-construct amongst second language learners of both languages respectively will enhance well-formed sentences and help to reduce syntactic incongruities.

Open Full Text (PDF)