Syntactic Structure of Noun Phrases in Urdu and English

Abstract

This research paper investigates the syntactic properties and patterns of noun phrases (NPs) in Urdu and English, focusing on pre-modification and agreement. Using a qualitative descriptive approach and the X-bar theory as a theoretical framework, the study compares the structures of NPs in both languages. Both Urdu and English utilize articles, demonstratives, possessives, numerals/quantifiers, adjectives, and nouns as pre-modifiers in NPs. However, there are notable distinctions in terms of agreement and inflection. While English demonstrates agreement between demonstratives and the number of the noun they modify, Urdu does not exhibit such agreement. Urdu possessive pronouns inflect based on gender, while English possessives remain consistent regardless of gender or number. Adjectives in Urdu inflect for gender and number, whereas English adjectives do not change form based on the noun they modify. Overall, this research contributes to the understanding of noun phrase structures in Urdu and English. The study also highlights the need for further research in post-modification, case marking, and word order within noun phrases in both languages.