IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION STUDIES (IJELCS )

E-ISSN 2545-5702
P-ISSN 2695-2157
VOL. 10 NO. 1 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijelcs.vol.10.no1.2025.pg74.83

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Investigating Syntactic Patterns in Sanusi Bako’s The Mambilla Plateau

Bamanga Aliyu, Dr Shamsu Muazu Danbukar

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Abstract

This study, titled Syntactic Patterns in Sanusi Bako's "The Mambilla Plateau", aims to explore the syntactic structures used in the poem and analyze how these structures enhance meaning and contribute to stylistic effects. The specific objectives are to identify the syntactic structures, examine how they reinforce the poem's themes, and evaluate their stylistic impact. The research is grounded in Generative Grammar theory, which emphasizes the underlying structures that shape sentence formation. A qualitative approach is employed with descriptive analysis as the research design. The poem The Mambilla Plateau serves as the primary data source, with selected lines and stanzas analysed for their syntactic composition. Data collection involves textual extraction of syntactic structures, while data analysis focuses on syntactic classification and stylistic analysis of sentence types and their effects. The findings reveal that the poem uses a blend of simple, compound, complex, and inverted sentence structures, which serve to highlight the region’s natural beauty, cultural richness, and emotional depth. The syntactic structures, including inversion and ellipses, enhance the visual and emotional appeal of the poem. They also contribute to the creation of rhythm, harmony, and emphasis, enriching the reader's experience. In conclusion, the study affirms that syntax plays a critical role in shaping both the meaning and stylistic essence of the poem. It is recommended that future studies of indigenous poetry incorporate syntactic analysis to better understand the interplay between language form and artistic expression.

keywords:

Syntax, Generative Grammar, Poetic Structure, Syntactic Patterns, Stylistic Effects

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