ABSTRACT
The title of this work is THE NUMERAL SYSTEM OF IKA. This language is used by the Ika people of Delta State. It’s central focus is to find out how numerals are derived in the language and the different morphological processes it undergoes in the modification of number names other than the basic ones.
The motivation behind this study was the shocking and disappointing realization of the lack of linguistic study of this aspect of Ika. Another aim is to create a reference for further research pertaining to this aspect of linguistic study of Ika.
The theoretical frame work used in the work is the descriptive approach of Lehmann (1999). This framework deals with the investigation of structure of a language through the collection of data through interaction with native speaking consultants.
This study employed the primary source of data collection to get the numerals data used in the analysis. This involves the acquisition of numerals in Ika through competent native speakers. Two informants were used in the course of this research combined with my competence in the language too. All numerals in Ika used in this research were transcribed phonetically, tones were marked on all items, as Ika like most Nigerian language is a tone language.
The findings in this work is the morphological processes that numerals in Ika undergoes during its derivation. Example of these process found in Ika numerals include affixation, reduplication, compounding and clipping.
The recommendation of this work is on other aspects of linguistic study of Ika ranging from phonology to its syntax that hasn’t been worked on.
