MORPHOLOGICAL PROCESSES OF IDEOPHONES IN YORUBA LANGUAGE

ABSTRACT

This research work titled Structure, Pragmatics and Meanings of IjaiyeOjokoro Personal Names, focused on how names are structured, meanings, importance of names and their uses in communication, in the Ijaiye-ojokoro community. The study aims to document and analyze the structure, pragmatics, and meanings associated with personal names indigenous to Ijaiye-ojokoro, with the specific objectives of investigating the typologies of Ijaiye-ojokoro personal names, examining their structure, and finding out the cultural meanings behind names in Ijaiye-ojokoro. The study adopts Austin (1962) and Searle (1969) Speech Act Theory, which examines how language is used to perform actions and achieve specific communicative purposes beyond the literal meaning of words. The methodology employed for data analysis is a descriptive study, which permits a comprehensive examination of personal names in the Ijaiye-Ojokoro community by combining information from both primary and secondary sources. The findings of the study reveal that the structural and cultural aspects of Ijaiye-Ojokoro names have several implications that reflect the community's values, beliefs, and linguistic expressions. Ijaiye-Ojokoro names are deeply rooted in the cultural identity of the community. They serve as cultural markers, reflecting the traditions, beliefs, and practices of the people.