Abstract
This study is based on the address forms of Ijaw youths, A case Study of Egbema clan. This research of address forms of Ijaw youths in terms of the linguistics features that help the people in the region to achieve politeness when addressing their elders and co-youths. In Egbema region we based our analysis on respect or insult on agreement about the underlying rules of speech and or social meaning of linguistics feature however; asymmetrical exchanges where found where there were age differences or occupational rank difference in the Egbema region. Intimacy was related to the use of multiple names in Egbema clan. The address forms of Ijaw usage such as general address forms, address forms itself, address forms by greetings, address forms by expression, by peer groups, by friend’s age mates, adults, youths and colleagues were all investigated. The method of data collection in this study was to examine the various address forms, by written, speeches, greetings styles of addressing their elders and co-youths in Egbema clan, and the questionnaires and personnel interview were the primary source of data collection. While the Secondary source of data collection include textbooks, journals, magazines both local and foreign, monographs linguistics books, research works of prominent writers, dictionaries and internet. This method, with this we have been able to discovered that address forms for Ijaw youths in Egbema clan is very necessary to adopt. The Egbema clan studies, oral and personnel observation were conducted to complement the role of the questionnaires. The address forms of Ijaw youths, a case of Egbema clan has been the focus of this research, I have been able to explore the different strategies Ijaw language adopt, and with this studies the following findings was made. There is enough evidence to show that the address form of Ijaw youths in Egbema clan is very effective. My findings and observation in the cause of this research is that: The address form of Ijaw youths in Egbema clan is different and choice compared to other Izon clans. There is proof that the control of the elders in the region is very necessary in terms of address forms. The use of address forms in Egbema such as politeness, greetings and so on helps the youths in the regions to know their elders and co-youths.
