Abstract
Thepaper examines the syntactic processes involved in the expression of modality in English and Fulfulde spoken in Adamawa State. The aim is to analyse how modality is structurally realised in both languages, with specific objectives to: describe the syntactic processes involved, compare their modal structures, and justify cross-linguistic variations. It is anchored on Generative Syntax, particularly the Principles and Parameters frameworkas primary and Functional Grammar as supportive which together explain both structural patterns and communicative functions of modality. A descriptive qualitative method is adopted, using elicited and naturally occurring bilingual data. The analysis focuses on modal expressions such as can, must, may, willand shall in English, and foti, doole, ndego, tammi, and -an in Fulfulde. Findings reveal that while both languages encode similar modal meanings such as ability, obligation, permission and futurity which differ in syntactic realisation. English employs auxiliary-based constructions with overt subjects and rigid word order, whereas Fulfulde uses morphologically integrated modal forms and allows subject omission. These differences are explained through parameter variation and typological distinctions. The paper concludes that modality is a universal semantic category but is realised through language-specific syntactic strategies. The findings contribute to understanding bilingual syntax and cross-linguistic variation in African contexts.
Keywords: Modality; Syntax; English; Fulfulde;
Linguistics
DOI: 10.36349/sojolics.2026.v02i02.013
author/Aliyu, B., Haliru, I. A., & Gambo, S. I.
journal/Sokoto JOLICS 2(2) | August 2026 |
