A MORPHO-SEMANTIC CATEGORIZATION OF NEGATORS IN ẸDO

This study examines how negation is expressed in Ẹdo basic clauses by analyzing different types of negators used in the language. Negators are words or expressions that indicate when something is not happening, did not happen, or should not happen. The research explores how these negators are formed, how they function in different sentence structures, and what they mean in various contexts. Using data from native speakers and previous studies, this research identifies and categorizes different types of negators, showing their roles in communication. The study finds that Ẹdo has specific negators that indicate different kinds of negation. For example, the negator "ma" is used to show that an action did not take place, as seen in Òzó ma yó ("Ozo did not go"). The negator "ɡhẹ" expresses that an action should not happen, such as in ghẹ́ ye obọ́ kan ọ̀re ("Do not touch it"). Additionally, there are negators that show a loss of ability, like "Ẹ ghi khian" (He no longer walks...), and those that indicate a discontinued habit, such as "Ẹ ghi yo evba" (He no longer goes there). The research also looks at how these negators interact with different clause structures and the patterns they follow. Findings reveal that Ẹdo negators are structured in a way that changes both the form and meaning of sentences, influencing tense and aspect. By explaining the role of each negator with examples, the study highlights the richness of Ẹdo negation and its importance in effective communication.