EBONYI JOURNAL OF LANGUAGE
EJLLS Publication
EJLLS| Title: | Constraint-based Explanation of Nominal Compounds in Ibeme Igbo |
| Author(s): | Chimaobi ONWUKWE |
| Abstract: | This paper examines nominal compounds in Igbo Ibeme with the view to analyzing the morpho-phonological processes that underlie nominal compound formation as well as explain these processes from a constraint –based perspective. It adopts the optimality theory (a constraint ranking theory) in accounting for the interactions between morphology and phonology in the realization of nominal compounds. The investigation adopted the descriptive design and the use of oral interviews involving a wordlist in data collection. Introspection also featured as a native speaker of the lect. Findings reveal that nominal compounds have two forms in Ibeme Igbo: phonologically sensitive and insensitive compounds. While the sensitive class show high ranking of phonological constraints over morphological constraints, the reverse is the case for insensitive class. It concludes that nominal compounds in Ibeme Igbo and indeed Igbo are better not phonologically identified (but better semantically identified), giving that nominal compounds which fulfill SBC (tagged ‘real’ nominal compounds) are phonologically immune and as such have least ranking of phonological constraints in line with the principle of OT that constraints are language universal but their ranking is language specific. |
| Keywords: | Compounding, Nominal, Optimality Theory, Constraints |
