SYLLABLE STRUCTURE IN IKA LANGUAGE

ABSTRACT

This study examines the syllable structure of Ika language and how the language uses phonological processes as repair strategies to align marked, infringing syllable structures with the unmarked, ideal Consonant-Vowel (CV) syllable. In light of this, the aim of this study, which makes use of alreadyavailable data, is to look at the syllable structures of "Ika" and demonstrate when and how limitations on the ideal syllable structure of the lect cause repair strategies to suppress violations of it. Data for the study were collected from tape recorded speeches of Ika native speakers within the age range of 20-80 years as the primary source while the secondary sources are data collected from books and articles gotten from library and web pages respectively. The study employs the CV-phonology theory by Clements and Keyser 1983 for analysis. The syllable structures of the language are V, CV and NCV while the syllable pattern are CV, V.CV, V.CV.CV, CV.CV, CVCVCV and N.CV.CV respectively. Findings of the study showed that segmental processes such as vowel epenthesis, vowel deletion, glide formation, and nasality effacement are triggered in output forms to override input structures that would otherwise create outright violations of its preferred syllable structure.