A Semantic Analysis of Irreversible Binominals in Igbo
Keywords:
coordination, Igbo conjunctions, complementary binominals, irreversible binominalsAbstract
The study of coordination in Igbo has been specifically limited to the syntax of conjunctive coordination. This is because all coordinators in Igbo have been assigned to this, singular, closed syntactic class of conjunctions. This approach has neglected the investigation of the discrete semantic features of the members of this class of conjunctions. Hence, this study aims at exploring the semantics of a special type of conjunctive coordination in Igbo, traditionally termed complementary binominals (Emenanjo, 1978; 2012; 2015). The study, however, adopts the cross linguistic term, irreversible binominals. It adopts the conceptual approach of Fenk-Oczlon (1989) and Malkiel (1959) for the description of the semantic types of Igbo irreversible binominals. The study also adopts Frame Semantics Theory which focuses its conventions on the link between language use and cognitive experience. The natural conversations of the speakers of the Nnewi, Nsukka and Onitsha varieties of Igbo provided some of the data for the study. Additional data originated from Emenanjo (2012: 230-234).Consequently, the investigation shows that there are nine semantic sub-classes. These include: the order of intimacy in personal relationships and social order like, ikwu na i be; spatial positions, comprising data like n’u gwu na n didạ; negative before positive concepts and processes, aka e kpe na a ka nri; completeness of an event or a purpose,u runa o ̣gho ̣ m and the understanding of concrete and abstract events, chi na a ka ra ka. Other variables are: the understanding of archetypes and their replications, m pu na a ghụgho ̣, subsidiary and mainlevel of entities, e zi na ụ lo ̣, Igbo folktales,E ke na o gwu ru gwu, extra-linguistic prominence,u gbogụ ̣rụ na a nyụ and prosody, e gbe na e gbe. The study concludes that the semantic classes of irreversible binominals in Igbo can be operationalised based on their conceptualisation by the native speaker.
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