ABSTRACT
This work lays out the analyses of the sound system of Ishiagu language, a dialect of igbo language. The objective of this work is to identify, establish and analyse the functional distinctive sounds (phonemes) in the Ishiagu language.
This is done by adopting a phonological approach of the classical phonemic tradition of the 19th century. Following a step by step procedure of substitution for the identification of phonemes. Alongside, the native speakers of the language were of utmost help in providing elicit data.
In this regard, the focus of this project is on sounds which are functional in the language through phonemic analysis of the language. Bringing out sounds that are potent to cause meaning difference in a similar pair of words.
This research work was divided into five chapters, the first chapter introduces the work and its significance, it also dwells on the people of Ishiagu and their language in turn with the purpose and scope of study. Chapter two on the other hand, is concerned with the review of relevant literature. Chapter three deals with the phonological approach adopted for an explicit analysis of data presented in chapter four. Finally chapter five considers the findings observed in the course of the research and conclusion.
