Syntactic analysis of interrogative structures in Maltese English

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to analyse the syntax of interrogative forms in Maltese English and to try to identify syntactic patterns which differentiate Maltese English interrogative forms from Standard British English ones. Primary data was collected from speakers between the age of 21 and 24, who have a minimum of post-secondary level of education. The sample of participants includes two males and two females whose native language is Maltese but have learnt English as their second language through education. One of the male participants has lived in an English speaking country for the past four years. He was recorded to be able to compare him with the other speakers and possibly identify particular interesting differences. The participants were asked to complete two speaking tasks that elicit question forming. The collection of data was done in order to try to look for potential patterns resulting from the influence of Maltese. On the basis of this data, the structure of interrogatives in Maltese English will be analysed arid compared to Standard British English. The different possible interrogative constructions in Standard British English were looked at to be able to formulate the tasks that the participants were asked to perform. Apart from the recording of participants performing tasks, an online questionnaire was carried out. This questionnaire asked respondents to look at lists of questions and decide whether they would use that particular question or not in speech or in writing. The questionnaire was open to respondents who reside in Malta and speak Maltese as their first language. The respondents varied from the age of 15 to 30. The questionnaire was not too restrictive with respect to participants that could answer it, to be able to get answers from different people coming from different social backgrounds but who have a similar linguistic background. The main aim of this study is to look at the syntactic structure and function of interrogative constructions. This dissertation will serve as a pilot study that can be used for a further study of interrogative structures in Maltese English and the possible syntactic influence they might have from Maltese.