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Aspects of Olukumi Phonology

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Aspects of Olukumi Phonology i University of Nigeria, Nsukka Department of linguistics, Igbo and other Nigerian Languages ASPECTS OF OLUKUMI PHONOLOGY A project report Submitted in partial fulfilment for the Requirements of the award of (MA) in Linguistics (Phonology) By OKOLO-OBI BOSCO PG/MA/12/62409 PROJECT SUPERVISOR: DR (Mrs) J.O. UGURU JULY 2014 i ASPECTS OF OLUKUMI PHONOLOGY ii APPROVAL PAGE This research work has been read and approved on meeting the requirements for the award of the degree of Masters in Linguistics (Phonology). By .................................................... ...................................................... Dr J.O Uguru Internal Examiner (Supervisor) ................................................... ........................................................ External Examiner Prof. R.I. Okorji (Head of Department) ........................................................... Prof. P.U. Okpoko Dean of Faculty iii CERTIFICATION This is to certify that OKOLO-OBI BOSCO, a postgraduate student of the Department of Linguistics, Igbo and Other Nigerian Languages, University of Nigeria, Nsukka with registration number PG/MA/12/62409 has satisfactorily completed the requirements for the research work for the award of Master degree in Linguistics (Phonology). This project work is original and has not been submitted in part or in full for any other degree of this or any other institution. ..................................................... ............................................................ Dr J.O. Uguru OKOLO-OBI BOSCO Supervisor Student iv DEDICATION This research work is dedicated to God Almighty, whose grace and love is forever sufficient. and In loving memory of Mrs Margaret Okolie A woman who gave love freely v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write. John Adams (US President 1797-1801) All thanks be to the Spirit of God who teaches me all things, without whose divine guidance, this work would not have been made possible. Forever and always, my profound gratitude goes to my family; my ever supportive father, beloved mother, five lovely sisters and my wonderful uncle, Rev. Fr Paul Okolie for your unquantifiable love. I love you all. This work would not have turned out well the way it did if not for the seasoned and tireless effort of my supervisor Dr (Mrs) J.O.Uguru. May the good Lord who rewards every good deed continually bless you ma. Special thanks to my darling mother Pastor (Mrs) M.I Obadan for her prayers, advice and care. My stay in Nsukka would forever remain a very memorable one, because of the constant care of my best friend Chidimma and my brothers in arms King, Chigo, Ebube, Ifeanyi, Fidel, Joe, Ediri; words cannot express my gratitude for your support during this bloodless war. To my bosom friends Egnr. Joy, Dr Precious and Chuks; thanks for always adding beautiful colours to my life. I would not have come this far in this field of study but for the dedication of Prof. R.O Aziza, my academic mentor and referee. Her strong desire to promote learning has always been a source of inspiration to me. At this point I will also not forget to appreciate my undergraduate phonology lecturer, Dr. Don Utulu whose seasoned lectures inspired my interest in the field of phonology. Thanks to all the lecturers of the department of Linguistics department, UNN for your various academic impacts and more thanks to Dr B.M Mbah, for making learning an easy and enjoyable experience. I am highly indebted to all of you. Special thanks to Mrs Ogedegbe for her constant encouragement. I owe all my success in this work to my respondents from Ukwunzu. I thank most especially Mr Okenyi for his fatherly love and total cooperation in gathering most of the data for this work. My profound gratitude goes to His Royal Highness Obi Christopher Ogoh 1, the Obi of Ukwunzu for creating out time from his busy schedule to attend to my questions during the cause of my fieldwork. May you live long on the throne of your fathers. To everyone who has been a part of my progress, may God continually bless you all. Bosco Okolo-obi vi TABLE OF CONTENTS PRELIMINARY PAGES Title Page…….………………………………………………………………………...... i Approval Page…………………………………………………………………………… ii Certification Page……………………………………………………………………….. iii Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………. iv Table of Contents……….………………………………………………………………. v Abstract………………………………………………………………………………….. viii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study...................................................................................... 1 1.2 An Overview of Ukwunzu Speakersof Olukumi................................................. 3 1.2.1 History of the Ukwunzu People............................................................................ 3 1.2.2 Language Situation................................................................................................ 5 1.2.3 Geographical Location.......................................................................................... 6 1.2.4 Linguistic Classification........................................................................................ 6 1.3 Statement of Problem............................................................................................. 8 1.4 Research Questions................................................................................................ 8 1.5 Research Objectives.............................................................................................. 8 1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study........................................................................ 9 1.7 Significance of the Study....................................................................................... 9 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 Introduction........................................................................................................... 11 2.1 Theoretical Review............................................................................................... 11 2.1.1 Phonological Processes......................................................................................... 11 2.2 Empirical Review................................................................................................. 25 2.3 Summary of Literature.......................................................................................... 45 2.4 Theoretical Framework......................................................................................... 46 2.4.1 Minimal Pair Test.................................................................................................. 46 2.4.2 Generative Phonology Theory.............................................................................. 47 2.4.2 Autosegmental Model........................................................................................... 49 vii CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Area of Study......................................................................................................... 52 3.2 Selection of Respondent........................................................................................ 52 3.3 Methods of Data Collection.................................................................................. 53 3.4 Method of Data Analysis...................................................................................... 53 CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS 4.0 Introduction.......................................................................................................... 54 4.1 Sound System of Olukumi Language................................................................... 54 4.2 Phonological Processes......................................................................................... 63 4.2.1 Assimilation.......................................................................................................... 64 4.2.2 Syllable Structure Processes.................................................................................. 74 4.2.3 Tonal Processes in Olukumi.................................................................................. 78 CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION 5.1 Summary............................................................................................................... 83 5.2 Findings................................................................................................................ 84 5.3 Conclusion and Recommendation........................................................................ 86 References......................................................................................................................... 89 List of respondents Appendix I Map Showing Area of Study Appendix II SPE Feature Matrix Appendix III . Ibadan Four Hundred Wordlist Appendix IV. Self Structured word list viii Abstract Olukumi is a Yoruboid language spoken by the Ukwunzu and Ugbodu people of Delta state, Nigeria. Hitherto the study, Arokoyo (2012) superficially described the sound system of the language in comparative study of four Yoruba group of languages. Her analysis however did not account for certain vital aspects of the phonology of the Olukumi language. As such, this study sets out to study those aspects of the phonology of the language that were not adequately accounted for. This research work provides an adequate description of the sound system of the language including tone and syllable structure. It also highlights and describes those assimilatory processes that are evident in
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