AFFIXATION IN HAUSA AND EGGON: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
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Date
2008
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Department of Linguisitcs and Nigerian Languages, University of Ilorin, Ilorin Nigeria
Abstract
Language is a vital tool in human and societal development. The dynamic nature of language requires continuous studies in order to keep pace with development and expand the frontiers of knowledge. The present study is an attempt in this direction. It closely examines affixation, a morphological process, in Hausa and Eggon with a view to describing and analyzing its manifestation in the two languages. The similarities and differences in the operation of affixation in Hausa and Eggon are focused. The study shows among others, that affixation in Hausa and Eggon performs a productive role in the lexicon of the languages. Hausa is a member of the Chadic sub-group of the Afro-Asiatic language family. Eggon is classified as a Benue-Congo language, which is a sub-member of the Niger-Congo family. The choice of two genetically different languages is to justify the fact that some of the universal properties of natural language do vary from language to language, irrespective of their genetic relationship. This study is an attempt to contribute to the study of our indigenous languages in order to meet the challenges of development, most especially in the aspects of language teaching and learning. Our methodology is descriptive. It is hoped that this study will further enhance the development of the languages and consequently national development. Therefore, this paper recommends among other things, that more indigenous Nigerian languages be studied and documented for use.
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Keywords
AFFIXATION, HAUSA, EGGON, COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS