A Descriptive Study of Giiwoo Subject Personal Pronouns

Cite this article as: Waya, Z. I., & Bala, K. S. (2026). A descriptive study of Giiwoo subject personal pronouns. Sokoto Journal of Linguistics and Communication Studies (SOJOLICS), 2(2), 96-104. https://doi.org/10.36349/sojolics.2026.v02i02.008

By

Zahra’u I. Waya PhD

Department of Linguistics and Foreign Languages,

Bayero University, Kano

Ziwaya.lin@buk.edu.ng

+234 (0)8065545080

&

Khairulbariyya Sulaiman Bala

Post-Graduate Student,

Department of Linguistics Foreign Languages,

Bayero University, Kano

kbsulaimanafawa@gmail.com

+234 (0)8163477720

Abstract

This paper describes subject personal pronoun in Giiwoo languageas spoken in Kirfi village, KirfiLocal Government, BauchiState Nigeria. Ethnographic methods were used in collecting data for the research. This was done through unstructured interviews with the native speakers of the language where informant’s information was safeguarded through taking down notes and recordings. Descriptive model was adopted in analyzing the data. The study indicates that Giiwoo followed SVO word order. It was also shown that there are seven subject pronouns; nà ‘1^stperson sing’, munnùu ‘we 1^stperson pl’, kà ‘you 2^ndperson sing M’, Shì ‘you 2^ndperson sing F’, kunnùu ‘you 2^ndperson pl’, ta ‘she 3^rdperson sing F’ and shii ‘he 3^rdperson sing M’andshannu “they” as 3^rd person pl. respectively. The study also showed that the sentences have single subject + predicate. However, in the predicate, the VP constitutes the tense marker followed by the main verb then object of the sentences. The study also identified that shi of 2^nd person singular feminine have short vowel and low tone which differentiate it with shii of 3^rd person singular masculine with high tone and long vowel respectively.

Keywords: Giiwoo, Syntax, Subject Personal Pronouns, Ethnographic, 1^st Person, 2^nd Person, 3^rd Person.

1.0 Introduction

All languages in the world appear to have pronouns. This is so because pronouns are words used instead of a noun. Pronouns are understood as a sub-set of nouns, yet their operation is complex and potentially problematic, even when considered in one language. These problems become even more glaring when considered in the light of cross linguistic meaning. In the same vein, Huddleston (1984) argues that “the pronoun should not be a distinct primary class on the same taxonomic level as noun, verb, adjective, etc., but should be regarded as a subclass of an enlarged primary class of nouns”. This is correct, because semantically, nouns as well as pronouns typically refer to entities. Pronoun according to Yusuf (2011:45) denote a class of words which can be used to substitute for a noun or noun phrase. Pronouns generally assumed to have certain distinctive properties apart from their lexical properties (Yalwa, 1995: 18). Pronouns come in different forms depending on the syntactic position they appear in the sentence. Apart from the appearance of pronouns in different forms, pronouns also inflect for number. This means that there is first person, second person and third person singular and plural pronoun subject and object. Scholars, at one time or the other have discussed pronouns in different languages of the world. In the literature, pronouns are grouped under functional category. The focus of this paper is to examine the subject pronouns in Giiwoo.

2.0 Literature Review

2.1 Pronoun: as explained by many scholars is a word used instead of a noun which is already known or understood from the context to avoid repetition. There are many kinds of pronouns exhibit in most of African languages which include subject pronoun. Subject pronouns are used as subject NP in a sentence, this means, it is used instead of noun at subject position in a sentence. Many scholars explained how pronoun functions in sentences. Among others are Chomsky (1981) which explained pronoun based on syntactic properties as a unique distributional pattern whichserve as subject, object, or complement. In other fields of linguisticslike semantics and pragmatics, scholars like Levinson (1983) view pronouns as sensitive to context, influencing discourse structure and participant role. In semantic Lyons (1977) explored pronoun as an aspect which convey meaning through reference, deixis, and anaphora. Galadanci (1976) explored the word pronoun as words that can stands in place of noun in Hausa sentence structure. Pronoun in this paper is based on syntactic properties. Therefore, pronouns also include first person, second person and third person respectively. In Giiwoo language, these are represented by nà ‘1^stperson sing’, Munnùu ‘we 1^stperson pl’, Kà ‘you 2^ndperson sing M’, Shì ‘you 2^ndperson sing F’, kunnùu ‘you 2^ndperson pl’, Ta ‘she 3^rdperson sing F’, shi‘he 3^rdperson sing M’andShunnùrespectively.

Giiwo language is a tonal Afro-Asiatic language spoken in Alkaleri and Kirfi local government areas of Bauchi State. There are three fundamental ethnic categories based on the perception of the local populations; Giiwo who are regarded as the original settlers, Hausa (perceived to be the relatively recent migrants), and Fulani (both nomads and the settled population) (Sani, 2013).

The original Giiwo language appears to be dying out as only the elderly speak it now. All the Bole family of the Chadic languages spoken in the study area are of the same family, related to the Giiwo language. Hausa is the lingua Franca today, spoken by all groups, but while the Giiwo language is dying out, the Fulani language Fulfulde is maintained as most Fulani are bilingual (Sani, 2013).

3.0 Methodology

The method used by this study is ethnographic method of data collection which include participants’ observation as well as interviewing native speakers of the language. The researchers conducted unstructured interviews with Giiwoo native speakers in their settlements in KirfinSama village of Kirfi local Government Area of Bauchi State. In the process of collecting data, the following steps were taken: the researchers visited the area and selected the respondents purposely to record and jot down the relevant information given by respondents. After recording and jotting down the information the data was validated by the native speakers of the language to have accuracy for the purpose ofdata analysis.

The sources of data for this study comprise primary and secondary sources of data. The primary source of data includes visiting and interviewing some native speakers of Giiwoo from KirfinSama as mentioned earlier.

4.0 Theoretical Framework/Model of Approach

The study uses descriptive research approach in analyzing the data collected for the study. Linguistics is a descriptive science that the linguiststry to discover and record the rules to which the members of a language community conform and do not seek to impose upon their order (i.e. extraneous rules), or norms of correctness (Lyons 1981:47).

5.0 Data Presentation and Analysis

As in all languages, Giiwoo language has pronouns which represent gender and number. Therefore, based on the data collected for this study the pronouns are presented and analyzed using the descriptive linguistics model.

Giiwoo Pronouns  Gloss

1.  Nà ‘1^stpersonsing’M/F I

2.  Munnùu 1^st person plural’ We

3.  Kà‘2^nd person sing Male’ you

4.  Shi ‘2^nd person sing Female’ you

5.  Kunnùu‘2^nd person plural’ you

6.  Shii‘3^rd person sing male’ he

7.  Ta ‘3^rd person sing female’ she

8.  Shunnù‘3^rd person plural’ they

5.1 Nà ‘1^st person sing’ ‘I’

This is a first-person singular pronoun; it is the same as in English singular pronoun “I” it is used by both male and female gender in Giiwoo language. Consider it as in this sentence “I traveled”. Now we are going to see this subject pronoun in Giiwoo language as it occurs in sentences below:

1a. Nàtòowuumoɣurùtu

1^stperson sing catch thief

I catch a thief

b. Nàkôdshègìkumuushìinȏ

1^stperson sing hear him and ear my

I hear him with my ears

c. Nàburuɣ-wòoshoɣò

1^stpersonsing build-past house

I built a house

The data presented above shows that the language under study, i.e. Giiwoo language 1^st person pronoun appears at sentence initial positions. The sentences given in examples (1a-c) above have the term nà ‘I’ as 1^st person singular subject pronoun (both masculine and feminine). In (1a) above, the Giiwoo language structure demonstrates that the sentence has 1^st person subject pronoun nà ‘I’ as the subject of the sentenceanda predicate tòwuumoɣurùtu. This proved that in the structure of (1a), the word nàwhich is understood as the 1^st person singular pronoun realized as “I” that functions as the subject NP of the sentence, while the remaining part of the construction; tòowuumoɣurùtu serves as the VP of the construction and it denotes “catch thief”. Yet, the VP of the sentence constitutes the words; tòowuufunctioning as the verb denoting the act “catch” followed by another noun moɣurùtuas the object of construction which is realized as “thief”. Example (1b) above illustrates that the morpheme nà‘I’ is the subject of the clause whilekôdshègìkumuushìinȏ is the predicate in the construction. As in the preceding example, the word nàis understood as 1^st person singular pronoun which is realized as “I” functioning as the subject in the sentence. Furthermore, it was also established that the other parts of the sentence; kôdshègìkumuushìinȏ “heard him with my ears” functions as the predicate of the construction. The predicate comprises the words; kôdfunctions as the verb “hear”. In addition, shègìkumuushìinȏis realized as the object (or 2^nd NP) of the sentence and it denotes “him with my ear”. In this part, we are made to understand that the word shè denotes “him”, gì‘and’ while kumuushìi is realized as “ear” and nȏ‘my’. Furthermore, the example given in (1c) above demonstrates that, the morpheme nà as in the previous examples is realized as 1^st person singular “I” and functions as the subject of the sentence. buruɣ-wòoshoɣò“built a house” is the predicate of the clause. The morpheme -wòo is the tense marker denoting the past. The predicate also contains the word buruɣas the main verb of the construction. Similarly, the construction also contains the words shoɣòwhich is realized as the 2^nd NP of the sentence and it denotes “house”.

5.2 Munnùu ‘we 1^stperson plural

2a. Munnùunèemondoomaxàa à doɣonò

 1^stperson plural see woman one in road

We see one woman on the road

b. Munnùuxândinnojiteenaa

 1^stperson plural test food

We test a food

c. Munnùujoowotagìyiwoɣomu

1^stperson plural put cap iron

We wear an iron-cap

Example (2a) above illustrated that munnùu is the subject of the sentence while ne mondoomaxàa à doɣonois the predicate in the construction. This shows that the word munnùuis understood as 1^stperson plural pronoun which is realized as “we”. It is also established as the other part of the sentence; ne mondoomaxàa à doɣono“see one woman on the road” functions as the predicate of the construction. The predicate comprises the words; ne functions as the verb “see”,mondoo as “woman”, maxàa “one” while doɣono is realized as the object of the verb and it denotes “road”. In addition, example (2b) above demonstrates that, the word munnùu is realized as 1^stperson plural “we” and functions as the subject of the sentence ,xandinnojiteenaa“test food” is the predicate of the sentence. The predicate also contains the words xandinnoas the verb “test” and jiteenaa as the object of the sentence “food” respectively as seen in the sample. In example (2c), the term munnùuis understood as 1^st person plural pronoun, realized as “we”, functions as the subject of the sentence while the remaining part of the sentence; joowotagìyiwoɣomuserves as the predicate or VP of the construction and it denotes “wear an iron-cap”. Though, the predicate of the sentence constitutes the words; jowofunctioning as the verb denoting the act “put” followed by another noun phrasetagìyiwoɣomuas the object realized as “iron-cap”.

5.3 Kà ‘you 2^ndperson sing Male

3a. Kàshaankìlaafiyàa

2^ndperson sing Male sleep well

Good morning

b. Kàbukkìlaafiyàa

2^ndperson sing Maleday fine

Good afternoon

c. Kàtii+wòojiteenaa

2^ndperson sing Maleeat+pst food

You ate food

Example (3a) above illustrated that kàis the subject of the sentence while shaankìlaafiyàa is the predicate in the construction. This shows that the wordkàis understood as 2^nd person singular masculine pronoun which is realized as “you” functioning as the subject in the sentence. It was also established that the other part of the sentence; shaankìlaafiyàa “sleep well” functions as the predicate of the construction. In addition, example (3b) above demonstrates that, the word kà is realized as 2^nd person singular masculine “you” and functions as the subject of the sentence. The VP bukkìlaafiyàa “fine day” is the predicate of the sentence. In relation to this, the example given in (3c) above illustrates that the word kàis also the subject of the clause while tiiwòojiteenaaa is the predicate in the construction. As in the preceding example, the word kàis understood as 2^nd person singular masculine pronoun which is realized as “you” functioning as the subject in the sentence. Furthermore, it was also established that the other part of the sentence; tiiwòojiteenaa“ate food” functions as the predicate of the construction. The predicate comprises the words; tii which is main verb of the construction “eat” and the word wòofunction as the past tensemarker.

5.4 Shì ‘you 2^ndperson sing Female

4a. Shìtòowuu-wòodilmì

2^ndperson singFemale catch-past hyena

You caught a hyena

b. Shìteelùu-wòowumbili

2^ndperson sing Female pick-past pawpaw

You picked up a pawpaw

c. Shìsa’ashèjili

2^ndperson sing Female clear his eye

 You clean his eyes

In example (4a) above, the 2^nd person singular feminine subject pronoun shìserves as the subject of the sentence. The predicate constitutes the VP which consists of the main verb tòowuu“catch” and -wòo functioning as the past tense marker, followed by the object noun dilmì which is understood as “hyena”. In addition, in example (4b) above, the 2^nd person singular feminine subject pronoun shì function as the subject of the constructionfollowed by the predicate section which comprises the verb and the object. Yet, in example (4c), the 2^nd person singular feminine subject pronoun shì understood as “you” functions as the subject of the sentence and sa’ashèjilias the predicate of the construction. The predicate has the main verb sa’a, while the wordsshèjilithat are realized as ‘his eyes’ functions as an object of the construction.

5.5 Kunnùu ‘you’ 2^ndperson plural

5a. Kunnùuburuɣ-wòoshoɣò

2^ndperson pluralbuild-past house

You built a house

b. Kunnùuka-tiijiteenaa

2^ndperson pluraling+eatfood

She is eating food

c. Kunnùujet ka-tiijiteenaa

2^ndperson plurallikeing+eat food

She likes eating food

In example (5a) above, the sentence shows the subject and predicate. The morpheme kunnùuwhich is realized as the 2^nd person singular pronoun ‘you’ functions as the subject of the construction, while buruɣ-wòoshoɣòfunctions as the predicate of the sentence. Therefore, the word buruɣ‘build’ is the main verb of the construction. Moreover, the morpheme –wòois realized as past tense marker while shoɣò‘house’ serves as the object of the construction. It was also observed that the sentence in (5b) has 2^nd person plural subject pronoun kunnùu as a subject andka-tiijiteenaa as predicate. This proves that, in the structure of (5b), the morpheme kunnùuwhich is understood as 2^nd person plural pronoun, realized as “you”, functions as the subject of the clause while the other part; ka-tiijiteenaa is the predicate of the construction and it denotes “eating food”. Yet, the single predicate in the sentence has the words; kafunctioning as the tense marker (present), tiias its verb “eat” while jiteenaais realized as “food”, functions as the object. The examples in (5c) above constitutes the subject kunnùu as the subject of the construction and jet ka-tijiteenaaas the predicate of the same construction. The morpheme kunnùufunctions as 2^nd person plural subject pronoun “you”. As can be seen in the example, the predicate jet ka-tiijiteenaa.

5.6 Shi‘he’ 3^rdperson sing Male

6a.Shiitòowuu-wòodilmu

3^rdperson sing Male catch-past hyena

He catches a hyena

b. Shiigiyawâanvullìbàti

3^rdperson sing Maledoalot speak

He is talkative

c. Shiijuyu-wòobibiminxìi

3^rdperson sing Male turn-past back his

He turned back

The example in (6a), as illustrated above, indicates the sentence has shiiwhich is understood to be 3^rd person singular pronoun masculine “he” and is realized as the subject of the construction and predicated with tòowuu-wòodilmu. The predicate in the sentence has the morpheme; wòofunctioning as the tense marker denoting past tense, tòowuuas its verb “catch” while dilmuthe object realized as “hyena”. In example (6b) above, the subject of the construction is shii realized as ‘he’. While giyawânvullìbàti function as the predicate of the sentence. Also, the predicate has the verb gi“do” followed by the morpheme yawânwhich is realized as an adverb denoting “a lot” followed by the word vullìbàtiwhich is realized as “speak”. Also, in example (6c) above, it was illustrated that shii is the subject of the sentence while juyu-wòobibiminxi is the predicate in the construction. This shows that the word shiiis understood as third person singular pronoun masculine which is realized as “he” functioning as the subject in the sentence. The predicate comprises the juyuas the main verb denoting ‘turn’ followed by the past tense marker wòoand the bibiis the object of the preposition meaning “back” followed by object pronounminxi“his”.

5.7 Ta‘she’ 3^rdperson sing Female

7a. Ta ka-gibarwaaxi

3^rdperson sing Female doing breastfeeding

She is breastfeeding

b. Ta gixûllii

3^rdperson sing Female do dance

She is perfect dancer

c. Ta tii-wòojiteenaa

3^rdperson sing Femaleeat+past food

She eats food

From the examples presented in (7a-c) above, it was indicated that the 3^rd person singular subject pronoun feminine serves as the subject of all the constructions. In example (7a), the morpheme ta “she” as the subject and the predicate kagibarwaaxi with the main verb kaappearing as its head of the predicate followed by the word barwaaxi‘breastfeeding’. Furthermore, in the sentence (7b) hasta as the subject and giwhich means ‘do’ is the verb of the construction while xulli as the transitive verb. In example (7c), the sentence has one subject ta “she” and one predicate tii-wòojiteenaa with the main verb tii occurring as head of the predicate. In addition, the tense markerwòo occurs immediately after the main verb tii “eat” in the construction, while jiteenaa “food” functions as the object of the sentence.

5.8 Shunnù ‘they’ 3^rd person plural

8a. Shunnùnèe-wòoshèka-kovo

3^rd person plural See-past him ing+cry

They saw him crying

b. Shunnùdoggo-wòogandu

3^rd person plural Pay-past tax

They paid the tax

c. Shunnùka-deekolomu

3^rd person pluraling+beat drum

They are drumming

In example (8a) Shunnù occupies a subject position while the rest of the sentence is VP nèe-wòoshèka-kovo with nèe as a verb wòo as a tense markerwhile shè as pronoun referring to him and ka-kovo“is crying”. In (8b)Shunnù doggo-wòogandu, the subject pronoun is ‘Shunnù’doggo main verb followed with tense marker –wòo and a noun gandu which is “tax”. In example (8c) Shunnù is the NP stand as subject pronoun while the rest of the sentence is the predicate ka-deekolomu. ka-dee means drumming which is the gerund verb of the sentence while kolomu is the noun meaning drum as the object of the sentence.

6.0 Conclusion

The study indicates that Giiwoofollowed SVO word order. It was also shown that subject pronouns can be demonstrated based on gender and number. The study further asserted that there are seven subject pronouns; nà ‘1^stperson sing’, munnùu ‘we 1^st person pl’, kà ‘you 2^ndperson sing M’, Shì ‘you 2^ndperson sing F’, kunnùu ‘you 2^ndperson pl’, ta ‘she 3^rdperson sing F’ and shi ‘he 3^rdperson sing M’ and Shunnù they as 3^rd person pl respectively. In addition, the research explores that first person in the Giiwoo language is represented by the word nà as the 1^st person singular male or female while munnùu is used as the 1^st person plural. The word kà is used for the second person singular masculine ‘you. Shì is used to indicate second person singular feminine ‘you’. In addition, the term kunnùu ‘you’ serves as 2^ndpl’, while ta is used to show the third person singular feminine ‘she’ and finally, shii is the third person singular masculine with long vowel and high tone in Giiwoo language respectively. The study also showed that the sentences have single subject + predicate. However, in the predicate, the VP constitutes the tense marker followed by the main verb then object of the sentence constitutes.

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