G.O AGHARUWA

This research investigates lexical indigenization strategies in contact languages, using the Edo language as a case study. The study explores how foreign lexical items are adapted into Edo through various phonological and morphological processes to suit the linguistic and cultural structure of the language. Chapter One presents the background of the study, outlining the influence of language contact on lexical borrowing, and highlights the significance of indigenization as a means of preserving linguistic identity while accommodating new expressions. Chapter Two provides a detailed review of relevant literature, examining scholarly contributions on borrowing, language contact, phonological modification, and indigenization strategies in African languages. The review reveals that contact-induced change is a universal linguistic process influenced by sociolinguistic and phonological factors. Chapter Three discusses the theoretical framework adopted for the study, which is based on the descriptive linguistic approach. This framework enables the analysis of borrowed lexical items at the phonological level, focusing on modifications such as insertion, substitution, deletion, and extension. Chapter Four presents the data analysis and discussion of findings, showing that borrowed words in Edo undergo systematic phonological adaptation to conform to Edo phonotactic rules. Examples illustrate how sound patterns are adjusted to ensure natural pronunciation within the Edo linguistic system. The study also reveals that lexical indigenization is a creative process that reflects both linguistic necessity and cultural integration. Finally, Chapter Five provides a summary of the major findings, emphasizing that lexical indigenization not only enriches the Edo lexicon but also demonstrates the dynamic and adaptive nature of language in contact situations. The study concludes that lexical indigenization serves as a vital mechanism for linguistic survival, identity preservation, and cultural continuity in multilingual societies.