Pronoun Choice and Grammaticality in Yoruba-English Code-Switching

Studies in Yoruba-English code-switching have shown that functional heads (such as Inflection, Determiner, pronoun & Complementizer) from the English language are often barred from the resulting code-switched grammar. However, no adequate explanation has been provided for this, nor any reasons adduced. This study therefore explains why pronouns, as functors, are barred from Yoruba-English code-switching. Working within the frameworks of transformational grammar & autosegmental phonology, the study suggests that certain features facilitate the occurrence of English words & smooth switching from a code to the other in Yoruba-English code-switching The unacceptability of pronouns in this grammar is traced to the absence of vowel lengthening & floating tones which usually accompany both Yoruba & English words at specific switch junctions. References. Adapted from the source document