DEPARTMENT OF LINGUISTIC STUDIES

This research presents a morphological analysis of noun pluralization in Nigerian Pidgin (NP), a vital and dynamic lingua franca whose core grammar remains significantly under-documented and often misunderstood. Drawing on descriptive linguistic principles, this study rigorously analyzed corpus and elicited data from University of Benin students, affirming NP’s status as a stable, highly efficient linguistic system. The analysis reveals that NP employs an economical analytical system for plurality, a distinct approach when contrasted with English inflectional morphology. Plurality is typically marked externally by prenominal quantifiers or numerals (e.g., ten egg or plenty shoe), demonstrating a rule-governed avoidance of redundant
marking. Crucially, the post-nominal marker "dem" (e.g., pikin dem) has undergone complete grammaticalization and lexicalization, acting as a dedicated plural indicator, especially in definite contexts. This key structural feature reflects a deep and successful influence from local Nigerian substrate languages. Ultimately, this study concludes that the NP pluralization system
is internally consistent, rule-governed, and structurally elegant. By establishing the sophisticated stability of this core nominal feature, this research significantly contributes to creole studies and offers compelling evidence that NP is a language optimally designed for clarity and effective communication.

This study aimed to investigate the place of storytelling in Ẹdo language documentation and preservation by assessing the significance of these storytellings in the language, examining the role of these stories in the maintenance and revitalization of the language in contemporary society, and to explore the influence of modern technologies and media platforms on the practice of storytelling and language documentation in the language. The research relied on data gotten from primary source. Interviews and storytelling sessions were conducted with elders, storytellers, and community members in Ẹdo- speaking areas in Benin City, specifically around Ovia North-East Local Government
Area. The stories were first written in Ẹdo before been translated to English. The theoretical framework used for the analysis of this research was the Ethnography of
Communication (SPEAKING MODEL) by Hymes (1964). The findings revealed that storytelling plays a significant role in documenting the Ẹdo language. Through oral traditions, stories serve as a repository for linguistic and cultural knowledge, preserving key expressions, idioms, and customs. It allows the language to be passed down from one
generation to the next, ensuring its continuity. Storytelling also contributes to the maintenance and revitalization of the Ẹdo language in contemporary society. It helps
keep the language alive by providing an engaging way to learn and practice it, especially in a time when modern languages and technologies are often prioritized.

This study focuses on metaphorical expressions in Yoruba language with aspecificapproach to semantics. The aim of the study is to examine the metaphorical expressions in Yoruba and to identify the semantic properties that contribute totheirmeanings, while its objectives are to identify the metaphorical expressions inYoruba, determine the semantic features that characterize these expressions and to investigatethe ways in which these expressions are used in conversation. The study seekstouncover the cultural and linguistic intricacies of Yoruba metaphors. By analyzingthese expressions, it aims to enhance linguistic analysis, provide cognitive insights, of er an interdisciplinary perspective, and facilitate practical applications inlanguage education and cross-cultural communication.The data for this studywascollected through oral interview which was conducted with five competent speakersof Yoruba whose ages were between 50 and 65, two men and three women whoarevast with the knowledge of Yoruba language. The conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) wasemployed for the analysis of the data. The reason for adopting this framework is dueto its ability to uncover underlying conceptual structures within language andculture. By applying CMT, the study aims to analyze how abstract concepts are understoodand communicated through metaphorical expressions in Yoruba, facilitating adeeperunderstanding of cognitive processes, and linguistic nuances. The datawerepresented according to the dif erent metaphorical expressions gotten fromthedatacollection. The data were analyzed and the concepts were realized and explainedextensively via primary metaphors, cultural metaphors, embodied metaphors, conceptual metaphors, and image schemas. The findings revealed a diverse analysisof metaphorical expressions deeply embedded within Yoruba culture, sheddinglight on the intricate conceptualization of key concepts. Through the lens of Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT), the analysis unearthed a nuanced understandingof concepts such as friendship, education, leadership, community, time, communication, emotions, success, family, and strength. Lastly, the study recommends further studiesin this area and also to delve into the historical and cultural origins of Yorubametaphorical expressions, their impact on language acquisition, and their cross-cultural interpretation.

Reduplication is a prevalent morphological process in language that involves the repetition of all or part of a word. This research examines the reduplication processes in the Urhobo language, a Niger-Congo language spoken in Nigeria. By incorporating the morphological doubling theoretical framework, this study meticulously examines diverse reduplication patterns along with their semantic and grammatical functions. This study offers insights into how reduplication contributes to word formation and meaning in Urhobo. The research also explores the syntactic constraints that govern reduplication in the language, providing insights into the linguistic structure of Urhobo. By investigating reduplication in Urhobo, this research enhances
our understanding of morphological processes and contributes to the broader field of linguistics.

The morphological process of reduplication one that is predominant among African languages, the process bring about the creation of new words into the lexicon of the language, the Etsako is one that exhibit compounding in a special pattern, this study thus is an attempt to carry out an analysis on Etsako compounding process, the Etsako belongs to the kwa group of languages that have this feature as a special one, the data for this study was carried out using an interview method, the Morphological doubling theory was employed as the theoretical framework of the study, subsequently the data are presented and analyzed into various compounding groups and conclusions made. The analysis of the data collected revealed several functions of reduplication in Etsako, they include, for intensity and emphasis, pluralization, iterative action, expressing diversity, among others. The analysis of reduplication in the Etsako also revealed intriguing patterns and insights into the
linguistic structure of this unique language. Through a thorough examination of reduplication processes, forms, and functions, it is evident that reduplication serves multiple roles within Etsako communication. From intensification to plurality, the Etsako reduplication system is rich and has high linguistics importance.

Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source language text by means of an equivalent target language text. This study seeks to investigate the problems encountered by translators when carrying out a
translation exercise. Also, these problems outlined will be tackled using the techniques of translation. The data for this study were gotten from the Bible and grouped under the problems of translation they fall under; the techniques of translation were further used to solve the translation problems that were encountered. The data are analyzed using Uwajeh (2001), Four Models
Translation. The conclusion of the study is that languages are different in their structures, lexicons, etc. therefore, further studies should be made on the Uneme language by experts to develop the language

This study is a pragmatic analysis of Igbo oral traditional dirge. It examined the contextual usage of Igbo oral traditional dirge. The study aims at analyzing how pragmatic elements such as speech acts contribute to the meaning and function of Igbo dirges. It investigates the meaning and contextual usage of the Igbo dirge specifically Owerre-Ebeiri dirges. The study also ascertains how dirges affect communication strategies in Igbo language. A qualitative approach was applied. The approach allows for an in-depth exploration of the context, language choices, and communicative intentions embedded in the dirges. Data for this study was collected through oral interviews with native Igbo speakers who are rooted in the dirge singing. The researcher also listened to recordings of the songs and translated them from Igbo to English to get primary information. Additionally, written sources like journals, dissertations, and previous research by scholars were used as secondary sources. The theoretical framework used for this study is the Ethnography of communication, using Dell Hymes SPEAKING MODEL for it’s analysis theory. The theoretical framework adopted in this work help to ascertain the settings of the data as used in various context, participants involved, the ends or goals of the data, the key or tone of the data as it depicts the feelings of the participants, the medium of conveying the data, the various norms used in the data and the genre which the data belong. The findings reveal how the role of pragmatics elements, such as speech acts, in Igbo dirges in Owerre-Ebeiri is crucial for conveying specific intentions and emotions. These dirges use poetic and metaphorical language to capture the essence of the deceased and express grief. They serve as a means of cultural expression and communication, fostering a collective sense of mourning and facilitating the sharing of memories.

The aim of the study was to conduct an in-depth analysis of the language usedbytheGeneration Z, with a focus on its usage in various contexts while its specific objectivesare to investigate the distinctive language patterns that define GenerationZ'scommunication style and explore how this language is utilized in dif erent settings. Themethod of data collection for this study was a mixed-methods approach, combiningbothprimary and secondary language samples. The data was analyzed by using the SpeechAct Theory. The findings are: Generation Z's communication style is distinct andnuanced, making it challenging to decipher the intended meaning behind their utterances. If not properly understood, their messages can be misinterpreted, leading to potential miscommunication. In addition, the communication style of Generation Zdif erssignificantly from those of Millennial and previous generations, marked by the seamlessintegration of slang, indigenous languages, such as Yoruba, and digital language featurecharacterized by frequent code-switching and code-mixing. Furthermore, their languageuse patterns are highly adaptive and context-dependent. The study recommends furtherstudies by researchers, scholars or anyone interested in the Language use patternsof Generation z to document and preserve Generation Z’s language use patterns, integrateGeneration Z’ language use patterns into language education, create language archivesand databases.

Gender variation in language use has become a very common issue in everyday discourses of our life. When we use language frequently, we generally make differences from each other. The differences mainly occur among male and female. Now days, a variety of language use are occurring mostly among the young people of the Igbo society. This paper examines the common difference and reasons behind variation of language use among the native speakers of the Igbo language. Questionnaires were administered to thirty respondents consisting of a targeted combination of fifteen males and fifteen females respectively. It was found that the speakers have multiple reasons behind the variation of language use between male and female. So, this prompted for the
drafting out of a questionnaire consisting of multiple-choice item, the
questionnaires included fifteen multiple choice questions consisting of two options. In each of the questions students had to choose one specific answerGender variation in language use has become a very common issue in everyday discourses of our life. When we use language frequently, we generally make differences from each other. The differences mainly occur among male and female. Now days, a variety of language use are occurring mostly among the young people of the Igbo society. This paper examines the common difference and reasons behind variation of language use among the native speakers of the Igbo language. Questionnaires were administered to thirty respondents consisting of a targeted combination of fifteen males and fifteen females respectively. It was found that the speakers have multiple reasons behind the variation of language use between male and female. So, this prompted for the
drafting out of a questionnaire consisting of multiple-choice item, the
questionnaires included fifteen multiple choice questions consisting of two options. In each of the questions students had to choose one specific answer

The study examined the strategies for intensification in Ikare. The aim was to account for and describe the various processes evident in the realization of intensity in Ikare. Data for the study were drawn from several discourses where native speakers use the language for discourse and constructions for intensification were elicited. Using, Cognitive Linguistics theory. This theory posits that language is not just a set of arbitrary symbols, but rather a reflection of human cognition and experience. It emphasizes the role of conceptual systems in shaping linguistic structures and meanings. It views language as an essential element of human thinking and emphasizes the role of cognitive processes in shaping linguistic structure and meaning. It offers valuable insights into the study of intensification by examining how speakers conceptualize and express heightened degrees of meaning. This study described the different strategies – adverbs, prefixes, adjectives, reduplication, repetition hyperbole, etc. – in use in the language to satisfy the basic human need to emphasize. The study discovered that adverbs such as gbe, bù, yán, ówàná, and adjectives like duro, prefixes like áwon, repetition like Ọmọ, gbe, are all techniques used for emphasizing itensity. The study’s findings reveal that Ikare language utilizes tactics such as reduplication, exclamations, and hyperbole to enhance emphasis and intensity