LEXICAL

This study examined lexical sense relations in Nigerian Pidgin. The study identified and classified the lexical sense relations in Nigerian Pidgin, including synonymy, antonymy, hyponymy, and polysemy. It also examined the linguistic sources contributing to these sense relations. It analyzed the socio-cultural factors influencing the development and usage of lexical sense relations. Lastly, it explored variations in lexical sense relations across different contexts of Nigerian Pidgin use. The motivation behind this study stems from the growing recognition of Nigerian Pidgin as a major tool of communication in Nigeria and across West Africa, juxtaposed with its persistent marginalization in formal linguistic research. This study employed both primary and secondary methods of data collection. Primary data were gathered through interviews and casual conversations with 10 Nigerian Pidgin speakers from different regions and backgrounds, while secondary data were sourced from newspapers, songs, comedy skits, and online content in Nigerian Pidgin. The theoretical framework used for the research was structural semantics by Trier (1931). The findings revealed that Nigerian Pidgin is rich in lexical sense relations such as synonymy, antonymy, hyponymy, and polysemy. These word relationships help speakers express different meanings in creative and flexible ways. The language draws from English, local Nigerian languages, slang, and sound-based expressions to build its unique vocabulary. Social and cultural factors like class, youth lifestyle, and media also shape how words are formed and used. Meanings often depend on context, region, and the speaker’s background, making Pidgin highly adaptable. This means one word can have many meanings based on how and where it is used.The researcher recommend further study on this research work and other lexical sense relations in Nigerian Pidgin not touched in this research work be carried out by scholars, linguists and any other person interested in the sense relations of Nigerian Pidgin.

Language is a dynamic and multifaceted tool of communication, often characterized by polysemy and lexical ambiguity, which contribute to depth and richness in meaning. This study examines the phenomena of polysemy and lexical ambguity in Urhobo proverbs, exploring how multiple meanings of words shape interpretations, cultural wisdom, and linguistic expression. Given that proverbs serve as an essential comp nent of Urhobo oral tradition, their meanings are often layered, requiring contextual understanding to fully grasp their implications. The study investigates various polysemous words in Urhobo proverbs, such as "evun" (which can mean stomach, pregnancy, or inside), "oto" (ground, movement, or meaning), and "hwe" (kill, punish, or break), among others. These words introduce lexical ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations depending on the speaker’s intent, audience, and cultural setting. By analyzing specific proverbs, this research highlights how ambiguity is intentionally used to convey moral lessons, social values, and philosophical insights within the Urhobo language. A qualitative approach was employed, drawing data from Urhobo oral literature, linguistic analysis, and interviews with native speakers. The findings reveal that polysemy and lexical ambiguity are deliberate linguistic strategies that enrich Urhobo proverbs, making them flexible tools for storytelling, education, and moral instruction. Moreover, the study emphasizes the role of context in deciphering the intended meaning of ambiguous expressions, underscoring the complexity of Urhobo semantics.