DEPARTMENT OF LINGUISTICS

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