| Abstract: |
Meaning in language extends beyond the lexical level to the sentential level, where context, culture, and
shared knowledge shape interpretation. However, existing studies on the Ehugbo dialect of Igbo have
largely focused on phonology, morphology, and lexical semantics, with little attention to how sentential
constructions encode cultural values such as virtue. This study therefore investigates sentential meanings
relating to virtue in the Ehugbo dialect. The study is anchored on Relevance Theory, which explains how
hearers derive implicit meanings based on contextual assumptions and expectations of relevance. A
descriptive survey design was adopted, employing a qualitative approach. Data were collected from twenty
(20) native speakers of Ehugbo through observation and semi-structured interviews, and supplemented with
secondary sources. The data were analyzed using textual and interpretive analytic methods. Findings reveal
that virtues such as honesty, respect, integrity, and communal responsibility are not only expressed lexically
but are more fully realized at the sentential level through proverbs, idiomatic expressions, and culturally
embedded utterances. These sentential meanings often rely on shared cultural knowledge and pragmatic
inference, thereby aligning with the principles of Relevance Theory. The study further demonstrates that
meaning in Ehugbo is deeply context-dependent and communally oriented, reflecting the moral philosophy
of the speech community. The study contributes to Igbo linguistics by highlighting the importance of
sentential semantics in the encoding of cultural values and provides insights for language documentation,
teaching, and preservation of indigenous knowledge systems. |
EBONYI JOURNAL OF LANGUAGE
