Affixation and Auxiliaries in Igbo

Chinwe Onumajuru

Description

This study focusses on affixation and auxiliaries in Igbo, drawing on data mainly from Onicha (Onitsha) Igbo. It identifies prefixes, suffixes, interfixes, circumfixes, super/suprafixes, extensional suffixes and auxiliaries in the variety of Igbo studied. The work is presented in two sections: Section 1 discusses affixation, while Section 2 is focused on auxiliary verbs. Section 1 contains five chapters. Chapter 1 is a general introduction that provides some background information regarding O? ni?cha [make sure this word is correct i.e. represented in the spelling of the language, and not just Onicha] Igbo and the speakers of the lect. Chapter 2 an overview of affixation as an important word formation process in world languages. Chapter 3 is the morpho-syntactic analysis of inflectional affixes. Chapter 4 discusses the morphosyntactic characteristics of derivational affixes, while Chapter 5 is concerned with the morpho-syntactic as well as the semantic charateristics of verbal extensions in Igbo. Section 2 is a sole chapter which discusses in a systematic manner the different types of auxiliary verbs, their uses and the effect of their co-occurrence with perfective verb forms.

Informations

• Publié par: M and J Grand Orbit Communications
• Date de parution: 29 décembre 2015
• Nombre de lectures: 4
• EAN13: 9789785421545
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 16 Mo

Extrait

AFFIXATION AND AUXILIARIES IN IGBO

In the same Series 1.Ajiboye, Oladipo.The Syntax & Semantics of Yorùbá Nominal Expressions 2.Anyanwu, Ogbonna Ndubuisi.The Syntax of Igbo Causatives: A Minimalist Account 3.Ngulube, Isaac.The Eleme Phonology 4.Obiamalu, Greg Orji.Functional Categories in Igbo: A Minimalist Perspective 5.Onumajuru, Virginia C. Affixation and Auxiliaries in Igbo 6.Ashipu, K.B.C.Bette Ethnography: Theory & Practice 7.Isaac, Baridishi Hope.Aspects of the Grammar of Gokana

AFFIXATION AND AUXILIARIES IN IGBO

Virginia Chinwe Onumajuru(PhD) Senior Lecturer & Acting Head Department of Linguistics & Communication Studies, University of Port Harcourt,Nigeria

M & J Grand Orbit Communications Ltd. Port Harcourt

The Landmarks Series Publications Landmarks Research Foundation Box 237 Uniport P.O. University of Port Harcourt,Nigeria e-mail: [e-mail] Mobile Phone: [phone] Copyright © V.C. Onumajuru2015 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner, by print, photoprint, microfilm, or any other means, without the written permission from the Copyright owner except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. ISBN: 978-978-54127-5-0 Published by The Linguistic Association of Nigeria (LAN) In Collaboration with M & J Grand Orbit Communications Ltd.

Dedication The book is dedicated to Mama MariaandHer Son–Jesus Christ– through whose inspiration it was written.

Editorial Note The Landmarks Series is a research and publications outfit founded by the Linguistic Association of Nigeria (LAN), and solely funded by the Landmarks Research Foundation to publish recently completed and outstanding doctoral theses on any aspect of Nigerian linguistics, languages, literature, communication and cultures. The purpose is to encourage the circulation of ideas generated by theses written by members of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria (LAN). It is hoped that the opportunity to publish in the Landmark Series might be extended to non-members of LAN in due course. The fifth edition in the series is the revised version of Dr. (Mrs.) Virginia Chinwe Onumajuru’s doctoral thesis whichwas submitted to the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.The work focuses on̩On ̩icha and auxiliaries in the  affixation variety of Igbo.It identifies prefixes, suffixes, interfixes, circumfixes, super/suprafixes, extensional suffixes among the affixes in the variety of Igbo that she studied. The work is presented in two sections: Section 1 discusses affixation, while Section 2 is focused on auxiliary verbs. Section 1 is further divided into five chapters, while Section 2 is a single chapter. Chapter 1 is a general introduction that provides some background information regardingchaO ̩ ni ̩ Igbo and the speakers of the lect. Chapter 2 an overview of affixation as an important word formation process in world languages. Chapter 3 is the morpho-syntactic analysis of inflectional affixes. Chapter 4 discusses the morpho- syntactic characteristics of derivational affixes, while Chapter 5 is concerned with the morpho-syntactic as well as the semantic charateristics of verbal extensions in Igbo. Section 2 is a sole chapter which discusses in a systematic manner the different types of auxiliary verbs, their uses and the effect of their co-occurrence with perfective verb forms. All those interested in affixation and related phenomena in Igboid studies and beyond will find this book an excellent companion. The book is written in lucid prose that both straightforward and elegant. Granted it grew out of a PhD thesis, it is totally devoid of technical jargons. It is an easy-to-follow text. I strongly recommend it to researchers in search of a simple text on morphology. Ozo-mekuri Ndimele, PhD Professor of Comparative Grammar & Communications Founding Editor & Fmr. National President, Linguistic Association of Nigeria August 2015

Preface This book derives largely from my PhD thesis which I defended at the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, University of Port Harcourt, in October 2007. The book is in two sections; the first section discusses affixation in Onicha Igbo. It comprises five chapters. Chapter 1 deals with some preliminary remarks; Chapter 2 makes a general review of affixation as a word formation process; Chapter 3 is the morpho-syntactic analysis of inflectional affixes; Chapter 4 examines a morpho- syntactic analysis of derivational affixes and chapter 5 is a discussion of the morpho- syntactic analysis of extensional suffixes. The second section comprises a single chapter article entitled Auxiliaries in Igbowhose earlier version was published in the Language and Economic Reforms in Nigeria. The motivation for the book is the realization that little or no serious research work has been done on the Onicha Igbo variety compared to some other Igbo varieties, and this is a serious lack considering the status of Onitsha south of the Niger. The Onicha dialect was the version used by the missionaries in the work of evangelization in Igboland in the late nineteenth century before the advent of the present Standard Igbo variety. With the emergence of the Standard Igbo, it appears that Onicha Igbo was relegated to the background. Many people contributed towards ensuring a successful completion of this book, and I wish to express my sincere gratitude to such personalities. Prominent among them are my supervisors, Professor Ozo-mekuri Ndimele and Professor (Mrs) P.E. Ejele who meticulously and diligently supervised the work. I pray for God’s choicest blessings on them. My unalloyed thanks go to all my other lectuerers who also contributed in my formation as a linguist. They include the Late Professor Kay Willianson, Professor E.N. Emenanjo, Professor (Mrs) Shirley Yul-Ifode and Dr. C. E. W. Jenewari. I sincerely appreciate my classmate and friend Dr. (Mrs) Esther Nwakaego Oweleke who is also a close research associate. I thank God for the cause that brought us together. I cannot adequately express my gratitude to my sister and friend Dr. (Mrs) C.I. Omego, former Acting Head of the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies and a research collaborator and colleague. To the many lecturers of the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, I say thank you for the team work we have enjoyed. My sincere appreciation goes to all my family friends and well wishers who showed keen interest in the progress of this book. I must not fail to mention Rev. Fr. Professor C.I. Ejizu and Rev. Fr. Professor B.E. Nwigwe for their support and encouragement throughout the course of this work. You are trulythe good sherpherds. I thank also the following for their sincere support and encouragement: Sir & Lady (Dr.) J J Mezie- Okoye, Mr & Mrs C.C. Mezie-Okoye, Professor Tony Arinze, Professor & Mrs C.E. Nnolim, Professor & Mrs C. T. Maduka, Professor & Dr. (Mrs) C.O. Umeozor, Mr &

viiiLandmarks Series Volume 5 Dr. (Mrs) Odii Onyido, Chief Mrs B.I. Nzimiro (B the Best), Rev. Fr Dr. Goody Okeke and Rev. Fr. C.C. Adinuba. I must not forget to mention Professor E.O. Ayalogu, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), University of Port Harcourt, for the efforts he made to organize informants for me. I am greatly indebted to my husband, Dr. E.M. Onumajuru (the Saint)for his all-round support and encouragement. May the Almighty God bless and keep you. And for my children and dependants, my brothers and sisters, I pray for God’s abundant blessings on all of you. Finally, I pray for the eternal repose of my beloved parents, Mr. Aloysius and Mrs Rebecca Oliobi Ichoku, and also for my many brothers and sisters who have paid the supreme debt. May you rest in the bosom of the Lord. Amen.

Table of Contents Dedication Editorial Note Preface List of Abbreviations and Conventions Chapter 1 The Igbo language and its speakers 1 1.1The Igbo language 1 1.2The Igbo people–Ndigbo 2 1.2.1 The origin of Ndigbo 2 1.3The origin and geographical location of the Onicha speakers 1.3.1The origin of the Onicha 1.3.2 Geographical location of the Onicha people4 1.3.3 The linguistic situation of Onicha 5 1.4Brief statement on the sound system 1.4.1 The vowel system 5 1.4.2 The vowel harmony 7 1.5 The Consonant system 8 1.6 The syllable structure 8 1.7 The Igbo tonal system 9 Chapter 2 Affixation as a word formation process 2. Introduction 11 2.1 Definition of related terms 13 2.1.1 Morphology 13 2.1.2 Morphme 13 2.1.3 Affix 13 2.1.4 Affixation 14 2.1.5 Root 14 2.1.6 Stem 15 2.1.7 Base 15 2.2 Classification of affixes 15 2.2.1 Positional classification of affixes 15 2.2.2. Functional classification of affixes 15 2.3 Distinction between inflectional and derivational affixes 2.3.1 Configurational properties 18 2.3.2 Agreement properties 19 2.3.3 Inherent properties 19 2.3.4 Phrasal properties 19 2.4 The nature of words 20 2.5 Illustration of affixation process using different languages 2.5.1 Number 20

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