A PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF IDIOMATIC EXPRESSION IN ẸDO

ABSTRACT

 This research is a pragmatic analysis of idiomatic expressions in Edo. The language is an Edoid language spoken in Edo state and is located in the Southern part of Nigeria. The primary aim of the study was to examine and analyse the idiomatic expressions in Edo. It also accounted for the process in which Edo idioms are being classified. The study adopts both primary and secondary method of data collection, where some data was collected from native speakers of the language and some were gotten from books and journals. In the course of data analysis, the study used Relevance theory in analysing the data which was adopted as its theoretical framework. The study adopted Relevance theory developed by Wilson and Sperber (1986/1995) is an assumption that human beings are endowed with a biologically rooted ability to maximize the relevance of incoming stimuli (including linguistic utterances and other communicative behavior). From the findings of the work, it can be concluded that idioms are reflection of Edo language. It reflects the values of Edo society and what it upholds. The study recommends that schools in Edo state should include Edo idiomatic expression in their curriculum to aid learning.