SYLLABLE STRUCTURE OF Ọ́CHÁSỊ̀ÁTỌ́ DIALECT OF IGBO LANGUAGE

ABSTRACT

This research project investigates the syllable structure and patterning in Ọ́chásị̀átọ́ dialect of Igbo language. The main objective of the study was to identify the various types of syllables and their positions within Ọ́chásị̀átọ́ syllable structures. The study employed a descriptive research design, and CV phonology theory was used to analyze the syllables of Ọ́chásị̀átọ́ in other to establish the prevalent positions of each syllable type. The research involved collecting data from competent native speakers of the language, utilizing a wordlist of four hundred basic vocabulary words, along with personal contributions and audio recordings captured using a phone recorder. The study adopted the CV phonology framework to analyze the data. The findings revealed that the Ọ́chásị̀átọ́ dialect utilizes two primary syllable structures: V (a single vowel) and CV (a consonant followed by a vowel). Additionally, a third phonological syllable structure, CGV, emerged as a result of a glide-formation process. While there were instances of CJV (derived from glide formation), they were not as fundamental as the first two types. The study concluded that the Ọ́chásị̀átọ́ dialect employs V, CV, and CGV syllable structures, and it follows a simple way of patterning its syllable structures. The dialect does not allow consonant clustering to occur. The outcomes of this study have implications for understanding the nature of Ọ́chásị̀átọ́ and lay a foundation for further study of the language.