A. E. Ideh

This study, titled Comparative Assessment of Antonyms in Udi Dialect of Igbo, investigates the nature, structure, and dialectal realization of antonymy within the Udi dialect, with comparative reference to Standard Igbo. The research was motivated by the need to describe how oppositional meaning, a key component of semantic organization, manifests across dialectal variations within the Igbo language. Despite extensive studies on Igbo grammar and phonology, little attention has been given to the comparative semantics of dialects, particularly in the area of antonymy. The study employed both Lexical Semantic Theory and Dialectological Theory as its analytical frameworks. The Lexical Semantic Theory provided a structural explanation for meaning opposition within the lexicon, while the Dialectological Theory accounted for the influence of regional variation on phonological and morphological realization. Data were obtained through oral elicitation from ten native speakers of the Udi dialect and analyzed qualitatively. The collected data were grouped into four categories of antonyms—gradable, complementary, relational, and contextual—to capture the full semantic range of oppositional relationships. Findings revealed that antonymy in the Udi dialect operates within a highly systematic semantic structure comparable to that of Standard Igbo. The dialect demonstrates strong semantic stability but exhibits phonological and morphological reduction, characterized by syllable shortening, tonal simplification, and vowel elision. Across all categories, oppositional meanings remained constant, indicating that dialectal variation in Igbo affects form rather than meaning. The study concludes that antonymy serves as both a structural constant and a dialectal identifier within Igbo, confirming the resilience of meaning relations across linguistic varieties. It is therefore recommended that further research extend comparative analysis to other Igbo dialects to build a more comprehensive understanding of meaning relations and to support the preservation of dialectal diversity within the Igbo language.

The study examined code-switching and code-mixing as a sociolinguistic medium in Nigeria music industry, with a specific focus on Davido and Zinoleesky. The method used for this study is the secondary method of data collection. The main sources of data were selected songs by Davido and Zinoleesky, which were chosen based on their popularity and rich use of mixed languages. The lyrics of these songs were collected from a trusted online platform; Spotify and popular lyrics websites. The Markedness Model Theory framework by Myers-Scotton (1993) was used for the analysis of the study. The findings revealed that code-mixing is a major part of Davido and Zinoleesky’s music, helping them connect with different kinds of listeners across Nigeria. They often switch between English, Pidgin, Yoruba, and sometimes Igbo to express emotions, share cultural ideas, and reflect real life in a way that feels natural and relatable. English and Pidgin help them reach a wide audience, while Yoruba and Igbo add local flavor, deep meaning, and emotional power. Their use of slang, street language, and everyday expressions shows that they are part of the youth culture and understand what their fans go through. 12 This switching and mixing of languages also reflects the multilingual and urban lifestyle of many Nigerians, especially in cities like Lagos. Through code-switching and code- mixing, the artists show pride in their roots, relate to the struggles of ordinary people, and keep their music fun, catchy, and meaningful.The study examined code-switching and code-mixing as a sociolinguistic medium in Nigeria music industry, with a specific focus on Davido and Zinoleesky. The method used for this study is the secondary method of data collection. The main sources of data were selected songs by Davido and Zinoleesky, which were chosen based on their popularity and rich use of mixed languages. The lyrics of these songs were collected from a trusted online platform; Spotify and popular lyrics websites. The Markedness Model Theory framework by Myers-Scotton (1993) was used for the analysis of the study. The findings revealed that code-mixing is a major part of Davido and Zinoleesky’s music, helping them connect with different kinds of listeners across Nigeria. They often switch between English, Pidgin, Yoruba, and sometimes Igbo to express emotions, share cultural ideas, and reflect real life in a way that feels natural and relatable. English and Pidgin help them reach a wide audience, while Yoruba and Igbo add local flavor, deep meaning, and emotional power. Their use of slang, street language, and everyday expressions shows that they are part of the youth culture and understand what their fans go through. 12 This switching and mixing of languages also reflects the multilingual and urban lifestyle of many Nigerians, especially in cities like Lagos. Through code-switching and code- mixing, the artists show pride in their roots, relate to the struggles of ordinary people, and keep their music fun, catchy, and meaningful.

This research provides a morphological analysis of affixation in the Ghotuo language using a descriptive linguistics approach. The study examines how affixes, including prefixes, suffixes, infixes, and circumfixes, modify root words to create new words and alter their grammatical and lexical functions. The research uses a qualitative method of data collection by conducting oral interviews with native speakers and consulting secondary sources. The analysis also explores other mophological processes such as disfixes, duplifixes, reduplication, suprafixes, and
simulfixes. The research demonstrates that affixation is a productive process in Ghotuo for creating new words and modifying their grammatical and lexical functions, including indicating plurality, negation, possession, and changes in lexical categories, while also showcasing processes like reduplication and tone alterations

This research work is a study of morphological complexity in Isoko Language. This study examined the structural composition of complex words in the Isoko language. Various morphological processes that contribute to the formation of complex words with distinct meanings, including, affixation (prefixation and suffixation), reduplication and compounding were examined using appropriate examples. The study adopts Dixon's (2010) Basic Linguistic Theory, a dominant theoretical framework for describing languages, particularly emphasizing grammatical understandings and linguistic typology. The research aims to thoroughly examine morphological complexity in the Isoko language, and the different strategies used to create complex words in Isoko, the research also lay emphasis on word-formation patterns and how these strategies, influence the meaning and function of words in Isoko. The methodology employed for data analysis is a descriptive approach, combining information from both primary and secondary sources. The findings of the study emphasize that Isoko morphology involves various mechanisms, such as affixation which include; prefixation, suffixation, reduplication and compounding in creating different complex words.

This study is a pragmatic analysis of Igbo oral traditional dirge. It examined the contextual usage of Igbo oral traditional dirge. The study aims at analyzing how pragmatic elements such as speech acts contribute to the meaning and function of Igbo dirges. It investigates the meaning and contextual usage of the Igbo dirge specifically Owerre-Ebeiri dirges. The study also ascertains how dirges affect communication strategies in Igbo language. A qualitative approach was applied. The approach allows for an in-depth exploration of the context, language choices, and communicative intentions embedded in the dirges. Data for this study was collected through oral interviews with native Igbo speakers who are rooted in the dirge singing. The researcher also listened to recordings of the songs and translated them from Igbo to English to get primary information. Additionally, written sources like journals, dissertations, and previous research by scholars were used as secondary sources. The theoretical framework used for this study is the Ethnography of communication, using Dell Hymes SPEAKING MODEL for it’s analysis theory. The theoretical framework adopted in this work help to ascertain the settings of the data as used in various context, participants involved, the ends or goals of the data, the key or tone of the data as it depicts the feelings of the participants, the medium of conveying the data, the various norms used in the data and the genre which the data belong. The findings reveal how the role of pragmatics elements, such as speech acts, in Igbo dirges in Owerre-Ebeiri is crucial for conveying specific intentions and emotions. These dirges use poetic and metaphorical language to capture the essence of the deceased and express grief. They serve as a means of cultural expression and communication, fostering a collective sense of mourning and facilitating the sharing of memories.