and dreams, and for always assuring me of your full support in all my endeavours. Thank you for being my role models of strength, integrity, and resiliance that I have always looked up to. Many of the traits I have today are undoubtedly imbued through your daily nurturing these twenty odd years, and for all of these I am grateful beyond words. To my partner, thank you for rejoicing with me during the crests and supporting me in the troughs over the past three years. Thank you for your understanding, calming vibes, and love looking forward to the next chapter of lives together! Above all I am grateful for the people, life, grace, and strength bestowed by God to pursue my passion for research in Linguistics. All that I have experienced, enjoyed and achieved to this day must be attributed to Him as the First Cause of everything. Soli Deo Gloria! iii