An evaluation of the interplay between working memory and syntax processing in Yoruba language
- Project Research
- 1-5 Chapters
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- Table of Content: Available
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- Recommended for :
- NGN 5000
Background of the Study
Working memory is fundamental to language comprehension, particularly for processing complex syntactic structures. In Yoruba, where sentence structure is influenced by tonal and morphological elements, the interplay between working memory capacity and syntax processing is crucial for fluent communication. Research indicates that individuals with higher working memory capacity are better able to process and retain syntactic information, leading to improved language comprehension (Olatunji, 2023). This study evaluates the interplay between working memory and syntax processing in Yoruba language learners by administering tasks that require the manipulation of syntactic information, such as sentence reordering and complex sentence comprehension. Neuropsychological assessments and behavioral tasks will be used to measure working memory capacity and syntactic processing efficiency. The aim is to determine whether enhancements in working memory correlate with better performance on syntactic tasks, thereby providing empirical support for cognitive models of language processing in Yoruba. These findings may inform targeted interventions to improve language skills in educational settings (Adeyemi, 2024).
Statement of the Problem
Although working memory plays a crucial role in syntactic processing, its specific interaction with Yoruba language syntax remains underexplored. Existing research often generalizes findings from other languages, neglecting Yoruba’s unique syntactic and tonal features. This gap hampers the development of educational interventions aimed at enhancing working memory to improve syntactic comprehension, potentially limiting language acquisition and literacy outcomes among Yoruba speakers (Olatunji, 2023; Adeyemi, 2024).
Objectives of the Study:
1. To assess working memory capacity in Yoruba language learners.
2. To examine the relationship between working memory and syntactic processing efficiency.
3. To propose interventions that enhance working memory for improved syntax processing.
Research Questions:
1. How does working memory capacity influence syntactic processing in Yoruba?
2. What is the relationship between working memory performance and syntactic comprehension accuracy?
3. How can educational interventions enhance working memory to improve syntax processing?
Significance of the Study :
This study is significant as it explores the critical relationship between working memory and syntax processing in Yoruba, offering insights to refine cognitive models and improve language instruction. The findings will support the development of targeted strategies to enhance language comprehension and academic achievement (Olatunji, 2023; Adeyemi, 2024).
Scope and Limitations of the Study:
This study is limited to assessing working memory and syntactic processing in Yoruba language learners using cognitive tasks and neuropsychological assessments.
Definitions of Terms:
• Working Memory: The capacity to temporarily store and manipulate information.
• Syntax Processing: The analysis of grammatical structure in language.
• Yoruba Language Learners: Individuals acquiring proficiency in the Yoruba language.
