P.O. SOLOMON-ETEFIA

This research focuses on how plural forms are created and used in Urhobo and English, comparing the grammatical (morphological and syntactic) systems of both languages. The main goal is to analyze the processes involved in pluralization, identify the rules that guide them, and point out the similarities and differences between the two languages. The reason for this study is the lack of detailed comparison between Urhobo and English, especially in terms of grammar. While English has been widely studied, Urhobo has not been explored as much, particularly in the area of plural formation. This work hopes to contribute to the understanding of Urhobo grammar and encourage more linguistic research on local Nigerian languages. The study will use a descriptive and comparative approach. Data on Urhobo will be collected directly from native speakers through interviews and conversations. A set of words (mainly nouns and pronouns) will be used to guide the data collection. For English, the data will come from existing grammar books and linguistic materials. The speakers selected for the study will include people from different age groups and dialects to ensure variety. The analysis will be guided by morphosyntactic theory, which focuses on how words are formed and how they function in sentence structure. This approach will help explain how pluralization works in both languages and how it affects grammar and meaning. Early observations show that English mostly uses suffixes like -s or -es to form plurals, while Urhobo uses a mix of methods such as reduplication, tone changes, and sometimes even context. These findings show that Urhobo has a unique and rich structure that is quite different from English. In conclusion, this research highlights the value of studying indigenous languages like Urhobo and how they compare with more global languages like English. It also shows the need to preserve and understand local languages through proper linguistic research and documentation.

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.