THE TONAL SYSTEM OF IKA

ABSTRACT

          This work is on the tone system of Ika. In carrying out this research, the researcher was motivated primarily to account for the tonal system of Ika and also to identify the tones used in the language by the native speakers. This study also adopted the autosegmental theory as it theoretical framework by Goldsmith (1976). The subjects for data collection were 3 competent speakers of ika language residing in Agbor, Emuhu, and umunede communities of ika, with the aid of Ibadan 400 word-list. It has brought to the notice of the researcher that the level tones such as the High [ / ] Low[   ] and Mid [      ] are not just present in the language but are also functional, such that when used contrastively they bring about a meaning difference among lexical item of identical form. This study has also revealed that contour tones exist in the language such as rising falling [   ] and falling rising  [   ]. This study has also reveled that all monosyllabic words in ika are majorly high tones. This  study is only on the tone system of ika, therefore, other aspect of study needs to be carried out in ika, such as morphology, syntax, phonology semantics. Etc. this study on the tone system of ika stands as a reference material to upcoming researcher on the language.