THE NUMERAL SYSTEM OF IKA

ABSTRACT

The title of this work is THE NUMERAL SYSTEM OF IKA.

This language is used by the Ika people of Delta State. It’s central focus

is to find out how numerals are derived in the language and the different

morphological processes it undergoes in the modification of number

names other than the basic ones.

The motivation behind this study was the shocking and

disappointing realization of the lack of linguistic study of this aspect of

Ika. Another aim is to create a reference for further research pertaining

to this aspect of linguistic study of Ika.

The theoretical frame work used in the work is the descriptive

approach of Lehmann (1999). This framework deals with the

investigation of structure of a language through the collection of data

through interaction with native speaking consultants.

This study employed the primary source of data collection to get

the numerals data used in the analysis. This involves the acquisition of

numerals in Ika through competent native speakers. Two informants

were used in the course of this research combined with my competence

in the language too. All numerals in Ika used in this research were

transcribed phonetically, tones were marked on all items, as Ika like

most Nigerian language is a tone language.

The findings in this work is the morphological processes that

numerals in Ika undergoes during its derivation. Example of these

process found in Ika numerals include affixation, reduplication,

compounding and clipping.

The recommendation of this work is on other aspects of linguistic

study of Ika ranging from phonology to its syntax that hasn’t been worked on.

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