ABSTRACT
This study examines the socio-linguistic characteristics of Igbo traditional greetings and the instrumentality of greeting as a social interaction facilitator. Subjects consisted of 97 males and 67 females, aged between 27 and 60 years. They were randomly drawn from the Igbo cultural settings. When tested on the criterion measurement scale designed for the study, the group showed a non-significant difference at the six levels of measurement, thus debunking the age long stereotype that suggested that the Igbo language is deficient in proper greetings because of an assumed deficiency in a behavioural practice considered potently prosocial.
During the course of this research work we came across another interesting idiosyncrasy of the Igbo language when we werediscussing the structure of the Igbo verbs. Do you remember what it is? I know you do.In Igbo, one does not simply die, sleep, dream, or laugh; one dies death, sleeps sleep,dreams a dream, and laughs laughter. Similarly, we do not just fight, cry, sing, run anddance. We fight a fight, cry tears, sing a song, run a race and dance a dance.
To some native Igbo speakers, the expressions are tautologous, pure and simple. Toothers, they are words to crack jokes with. And to yet another group of Igbo speakers,the seemingly tautologous part of each expression should be dropped. But to us, thestructure in question is not only in perfect harmony with the Igbo vision of the universe; it contributes to the beauty and clarity of the Igbo language. In fact, the failure of ourpredecessors to understand that led Igbo in the wrong direction over the years. We must,therefore, chart a new course for Igbo in the twenty-first century.
