DEPARTMENT OF LINGUISTICS

This study investigates the phonological processes in the Ika Language with the aim of unraveling the systematic patterns of sound changes and variations that occur during speech production. The primary objective of this research is to identify and categorize these phonological processes, thereby gaining deeper insights into the underlying sound system of the Ika Language. Additionally, the study explores the role of phonological processes in loanword formation and examines the impact of loanwords on the phonological system of the Ika Language. Understanding the phonological processes that occur in a language is crucial for comprehending the organization and usage of sounds within that language. By analyzing these processes in the Ika Language, this research contributes to our overall understanding of how sound systems are structured in human languages. Moreover, the findings from this study can have practical implications for language preservation and teaching by providing important insights into the phonological aspects of the Ika Language. To achieve these research objectives, a comprehensive methodology involving data collection from native speakers will be employed. The collected data will be then meticulously transcribed phonetically to enable accurate analysis and interpretation of the sound patterns and variations within the Ika Language. The practical significance of this research lies in its potential application to various domains such as language documentation, revitalization efforts, and the development of teaching materials for the Ika Language. Furthermore, the insights gained from this study may contribute tothe broader field of linguistics by enriching our understanding of phonological processes and their effects on language evolution and change.

This study examines the intersection of culture and language, focusing on the Ugboko Niro age grade system, as a paradigmatic Example. The research investigates how cultural practices, traditions, and values embedded in the Ugboko Niro system shape language use, Linguistic patterns and communication among it's members. The findings reveal that Ugboko Niro's cultural context significantly influences language use, with distinct linguistic features, such as specialized vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and pragmatic strategies. The study also highlights the complex interplay between language, culture, and social identity, demonstrating how Ugboko Niro's age grade system reinforces social cohesion, authority, and cultural continuity. This research contributes to the understanding of the language culture interface, shedding light on the dynamics of language use in culturally specific contexts. The study's outcomes have implications for language education, cultural preservation, and community development initiatives in Benin and similar cultural setting.

This study explores politeness strategies and the use of oral abuse in Ika. Communication is the exchange of meaningful information between individuals or a group of individuals in a community. Communication among human involves the use of language and there are various ways human beings use language and these difference in the ways of language use, constitute a difference in the ways the expressions are interpreted. This study is about a particular way language use constitutes difference in the ways the expressions are interpreted. The focus in this study is to investigate how older women in Ika use abusive expressions in a polite manner without hurting the feelings of those persons towards whom the utterances are directed. The study also
sets out to examine the types of abusive expressions and their contextual meaning. This means the different meanings these abusive expressions might have depending on the environment or situation where the utterance (s) occurs.

This study presents a contrastive analysis of gender-base idioms intheIgbo and English languages. The research investigates the differencesand similarities in the usage, meanings, and cultural implicationsofgender-related idiomatic expressions in these two languages. Whileprevious studies have explored idioms or gender language featuresseparately, this research focuses on the distinctiveness of gender-basedidioms and how they are utilized differently in Igbo and English. Thisstudy contributes to a comprehensive understanding of howgenderislinguistically represented through idiomatic expressions. The theoretical framework of this research draws fromsociolinguisticsand cognitive linguistics. It considers language as a reflection of societalnorms and cultural values, while also exploring howspeakersconceptualize gender roles and relationships through idiomatic languageuse. This approach helps unravel the complex interplaybetweenlanguage, culture, and cognition in constructing gender-based idioms. The method of data collection involves a mixed-methods approach. Acorpus of gender-based idioms is compiled fromauthentic sourcesinboth languages, ensuring diversity in terms of genres and contexts. Acombination of qualitative and quantitative analyses is employedtoexamine the semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic aspects of the idiomatic xii expressions. Additionally, native speakers are engaged in interviewsandfocus groups to provide insights into the cultural connotations andsocialmeanings of these idioms. The findings reveal intriguing disparities between the two languages. InIgbo, gender-based idioms often emphasize communal relationshipsandresponsibilities, reflecting the collective ethos of the culture. Meanwhile, English idioms tend to centre on individual attributes and actions. Theanalysis also uncovers instances where the same concept is conveyedthrough different idiomatic expressions in each language. This suggeststhat cultural nuances play a substantial role in shaping the linguisticrepresentation of gender-related ideas. In conclusion, this study highlights the intricate interplaybetweenlanguage and culture by examining gender-base idioms inIgboandEnglish. The research underscores that idiomatic expressions aremorethan just linguistic units; they encapsulate cultural valuesandperspectives. By analysing these idioms, the study contributes tocross-cultural understanding and linguistic research. Furthermore, itilluminates how the conceptualization of gender is linguisticallymanifested and opens avenues for future exploration in sociolinguistics, cognitive linguistics, and intercultural communication studies. Thisresearch underscores the importance of considering idiomatic expressions as vital components of language and culture, deepeningourappreciation for the intricate ways in which societies communicateandperceive gender roles.

The study aimed at investigating the revitalization of the endangered Urhobo language. The goals of the study are to develop comprehensive revitalization plan for the Urhobo language and to preserve and promote Urhobo cultural identity. This study is motivated by a desire to preserve the indigenous Urhobo language and explore the sociolinguistic phenomena of language shift, endangerment, and revitalization. The data for the study was gathered through responses to a questionnaire conducted with 50 native speakers of the Urhobo language. For demographic information, the respondants were categorize into various age groups, gender and educational level. The data were analyzed using the Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (GIDS) framework. The findings of the study are that the Urhobo language is not well-represented in formal domains such as education, government,and media and that data from Stages 5 and 6 indicate that while some families encourage children to learn Urhobo, the frequency of use within homes is declining. The study recommends that language immersion programs are to be implemented to enable children to learn the Urhobo language in a natural environment and implementation of community-based language initiatives is re quired to preserve the endangered Urhobo language.

The correct, proper interpretation and application of perceptual verbs in English is a major challenge to the Yoruba learners. The topic "PERCEPTUAL VERBS" such as "look, see, taste, hear, touch, smell, e.t.c. is an unresolved problem for linguistic theories. This work examines the meaning and understanding of the various perceptual verbs in relation to Yoruba language. Languages differ in their number of basic verbs that describe perceptual experiences. Some languages have only two of such verbs. One for visual perception, another for non-visual perception. Yoruba is a language of verbs which has different verbs for each perception. This research work is aimed at solving perceptual verb problems, educating people on the true meaning and reality of perception. I collected the data in Lagos state by choosing from random people with potentials in Yoruba language. People who speak the language profoundly, scholars in the language. The providers of the data of this research work were "twenty one old generation speakers" and "thirteen new /younger generation of Yorubaspeakers". These two generational speakers gave amazing feedbacks just that the older generation feedback was more competent as they had the translation to all the verbs I provided them with. The new generation now mix English with their Yoruba when speaking while the older generation make use of pure Yoruba. This work is laid out in five different chapters followed by the references and appendix. The work allocates the semantic perceptual verbs that fall under the five classes of perceptual verbs into their various classifications