THE NATURE OF NEGATION IN IGBO

ABSTRACT

This research is on the Nature of Negation and it is focused on the working of the Distinctive Theory in the configuration of Negation in Igbo. The data obtained for this research was from Orlu, Onitsha, Nnewi where competent Igbo speakers were helpful to this effect. The reason for generalizing the topic as relating to Igbo involving all Igbo in general is because for the purpose of this research not to be limited to just the realizations of Negation that are only plausible in one dialect as we know that Ignoring the Negative realizations in a particular dialect just because it is not a standard dialect places a limitation to the effectiveness of this research.

            The framework used for this study is the Distinctive Theoretical Framework which deals with using the obtainable data to describe every phenomenon obtainable in the language as it relates to the study. The Data was divided into Affixations as Negative Markers, Tone as a Negative Makers, Phonological Realization of the Negative markers like Vowel Harmony Agreement, and Vowel Lengthening, Negative polarity items, Negative imperative markers. The data was thoroughly analyzed and the purpose of this study is to debunk the limited analogy of /-ghi/ as the only negative marker in Igbo.