O. R. Osewa

This study examines the syllable structure of Ikale, a dialect of Yoruba language spoken in Ondo State Nigeria, using a descriptive approach. This study established the syllable type utilize by this dialect, the syllable processes available in Ikale dialect and the absence of consonant cluster in Ikale dialect. The data for this research were collected from competent native speakers of the dialect. The theoretical framework for this research is the CV phonology introduced by Kahn (1970) as it analyze the internal structure of syllable, consonant - vowel interaction as well as realisation of complex segments and co-articulations as a single segment. The findings reveals that the basic syllable structure of Ikale dialect is V (vowel) and CV ( a sequence of a consonant and a vowel) with no syllable ending with a consonant and the phonotactic constraints of this dialect does not permit consonant cluster in words. The result of this research contribute to a deeper understanding of phonology and syllable as well as the academic world.

This project work is a semantic analysis of Nigerian Pidgin proverbs in online media. Proverbs are a common phenomenon among languages of the world, and in Nigerian Pidgin, they play a central role in communication and cultural expression. The aim of this study is to examine the proverbs employed by BBC Pidgin on Facebook, focusing on their meanings and interactive functions. The study analyzes the meanings expressed in these proverbs as well as examines how Facebook users respond to and interact with the proverbs in the comment section, which contributes to a deeper understanding of meaning, cultural identity and the dynamics of online communication in Nigeria. Data for this research was gathered from BBC pidgin’s official Facebook page, where a list of 100 proverbs was collected, categorized and analyzed. The theoretical framework employed is Relevance Theory as proposed by Sperber and Wilson (1986), which argues that human communication is guided by the search for relevance. It emphasizes that every act of communication carries the assumption that the information provided will be relevant enough to warrant the listener’s attention. The findings reveal that audiences actively engage with these proverbs through comments, humour, and reinterpretation, thereby demonstrating that proverbs remain a powerful tool of interaction in the digital space. This study therefore contributes to a deeper understanding of how proverbs are employed in online communication

Language serves as a conduit for cultural expression, reflecting the culture and practices of a community. Among the diverse linguistic language of Nigeria, the Ilaje dialect emerges as a prominent language spoken in the western region, particularly in Ondo State. The Ilaje people, known for their agrarian lifestyle deeply rooted in farming and agriculture, possess a rich
linguistic heritage intertwined with their farming practices. Despite the cultural significance of agricultural terms in the Ilaje community, scholarly exploration into this aspect of their language remains limited. This study aims to address this gap through a descriptive analysis of agricultural terms in the Ilaje dialect, delving into their categories, function, and semantic
dimensions. The primary objectives of this research include compiling a comprehensive list of agricultural terms in Ilaje, investigating their functions, characteristics and exploring their semantic nuances in different agricultural contexts, and examining their cultural and sociolinguistic implications. The data for this study were collected utilizing a combination of qualitative methods, including interviews with native speakers, observations of farming activities, and analysis of written texts. The analysis conducted reveals several significant findings. The Ilaje dialect exhibits a rich agricultural vocabulary encompassing various aspects of farming ranging from crop terms, cultivating/tillage term, processing terms, livestock terms, to equipment terms, reflecting the community's deep engagement with agricultural practices. Semantic specificity is observed in the precise categorization of different agricultural elements, highlighting the linguistic details of Ilaje farming terminology. The study uncovers instances of borrowing and adaptation from other languages, indicating the incorporation of modern scientific concepts into traditional agricultural lexicon.