Department of Language and Linguistics

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https://keffi.nsuk.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14448/2024

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Browsing Department of Language and Linguistics by Author "Akase, Tiav Thomas"

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    AN ANALYSIS OF AMPHIBOLOGY AND SYNTACTIC AMBIGUITY IN TIV
    (Department of Language and Linguistics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2021-06-06) Akase, Tiav Thomas; Ishima, Jighjigh Leo Justus; Kwarpo, Matthew Sylvanus
    There are a number of grammatical or syntactic structures in sentences that are ambiguous in Tiv that make the interpretation of such sentences difficult to the listeners or readers. These grammatical or syntactic structures are a model of language discovery distribution of words that are both semantically and syntactically coherent; but the distributions sometimes create more problems semantically for they give room for dual interpretations. The result of this is that it affects effective communication since the meaning is not clearly brought out at a glance, thereby resulting into semantic complexity. This study therefore, examines syntactic ambiguity in particular and amphibology in Tiv and how they impede communication in the language. The causes of such semantic complexities and the strategies to be adopted to overcome those problems are also examined. Data for this study were gathered from Tiv speaking area of Benue state through conversation with the native speakers of the language and through participant observations. The findings of the study reveal that syntactic ambiguity and amphibology can be eliminated if there is a clear structural relationship between the various syntactic units in the grammatical structure of a phrase, or sentence and the phrases selected in our conversations are used denotatively rather than connotative in the sentence structures to avoid confusion to readers and listeners.
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    COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
    (Department of Lanaguages and Linguisitcs, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2012-12-12) Akase, Tiav Thomas
    n every human society, man has evolved a system by which interaction is ensured. This system of interaction enables man to share his thought and ideas as well as exert control over the wide range of phenomenon and human actions which results into development. This system is known as communication which is attained through the medium of language. Language is so vital in human existence that there is hardly any situation or human function where language is not required. It thus follows that for any idea to be transformed into any global development; it must be sufficiently couched in human communication.' This means that the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for sustaining development for the benefits of man must be communicated to him through the medium of language. This paper therefore, aims at discussing communication and language as a vehicle for global sustainable development. To achieve this, effort is made to define the key terms use in the paper and to examine the role(s) communication and language can play in sustaining development.
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    LANGUAGE AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
    (Department of Language and Linguistics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2013-01-01) Akase, Tiav Thomas
    Language is very vital to human society that there is hardly any situation or human function where language is not required. It also follows that for any idea to be transformed into any development, it must be sufficiently couched in human language. This means that the ideas, knowledge, skills and attitudes required for sustaining development must be communicated to people through language. This explains that language is the facilitator of human essence. All the inventions and achievements ever recorded in human existence have their roots in language. In view of this language should be part of the inclusion of the things that will bring about development. This paper therefore, examines language as an effective tool for achieving sustainable development. To achieve this objective, efforts is made to define key terms used in the paper and the role language can play in ensuring sustainable development. The key terms include Language and Development.
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    LANGUAGE CHOICE AND LANGUAGE ATTITUDE: THE NIGERIAN SITUATION
    (2011-06-12) Akase, Tiav Thomas
    Language choice and language attitude is a vital area in a multilingual society like ours (Nigeria). Many problems emanate from language users whenever there is a wrong choice of language thereby creating hostile attitude towards such a language. This is because the language may not be understood by the audience or reader, or it may be a wrong vehicle used to ' deliver the goods. It is in view of this that the paper explains language and the relevant concepts and approaches to language choice and language attitude.
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    LANGUAGE EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS FOR NIGERIAN INDEGENOUS LANGUAGES
    (Department of Languages and Linguistics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2013-07-07) Akase, Tiav Thomas
    Language education is the teaching and learning of foreign language or second language. It is a branch of applied linguistics. Language education has many unique functions among which are that it plays dual roles in most known formal education systems. It is featured as a subject on the school curriculum just as we have history education, economics education, chemistry education etc. On the other hand and completely unlike any of the other subjects on the curriculum, it serves as the medium of instruction in all subjects including itself. This paper wants to capture and examine the indigenous languages in school environment. The paper also examines the prospects of using the indigenous languages for education and the problems associated with it. Finally, a conclusion was made on the stand of the paper.
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    The Linguist and Manpower Development in Nigeria
    (Department of Language and Linguistics, Nasarawa State University Keffi., 2013-03-03) Akase, Tiav Thomas
    Abstract The role of linguist vis-a-vis manpower development in Nigeria is examined in this paper. A linguist is generally perceived as a good material only for classroom and encyclopedia of linguistic facts to consult. Against this backdrop, this paper apathy demonstrated that linguists can be gainfully employed outside the classroom and contribute to manpower development. The paper shows that linguists in Nigeria are engaged in areas such as documenting endangered languages, working in the field of law as forensic phoneticians, field of health as speech pathologist, creating reading machines for the blinds, developing and teaching our indigenous languages, serving as peace corps members, working internet and other business applications to mention but a few. The discussion in this paper will leave no one in doubt, concerning the contributions of the linguist in manpower development even outside the classroom.
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    A Linguistic Study of Tiv Naming System
    (Department of Language and Linguistics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2011-04-04) Akase, Tiav Thomas
    Anlhroponomastics is the study of personal names. It falls under the umbrella ofO nomastics which is the science that studies names, theirforms and uses. This study explores the way the ancient Tiv named their children and how it is done at present. The history and migration of the people, and their interaction with other ethnic groups, and how this has affected their naming pattern were examined. The genetic affdiation and typological classification of Tiv language were discussed. Finally, the naming practice and the various naming patterns in Tiv language were discussed. The work draws a conclusion that Tiv people give names that are meaningful and are classified into types, based on the various situations that warranted or generated such names. Their naming practice is not ceremonial. So the article recommends attitudinal transformation because naming is a celebration of life.
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    Nigerian Languages and Rural Development: Problems and Prospects
    (Department Language & Linguistics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2013-06-03) Akase, Tiav Thomas
    Nigeria as a country has so many languages and dialects which may not be mutually intelligible. However, these languages are what the people use in their daily endeavours which lead to their development and advancement in education, trade, enterprise, farming, etc. For some time now, development has been left only in the urban areas as reflected in industries, enterprises and other facilities available in these areas. Fortunately, attention is now focused on the development of rural areas and it is possible that all Nigerian languages should explain the nature of development so that the rural people can feel and be part of the programme themselves. But can this be feasible following the multilingual nature of the country? The paper therefore examines the problems that may militate against Nigerian languages for this purpose of rural development The solution on how to overcome these problems were suggested; such as: (i) Translation of government ideas and plans into all Nigerian languages for easy understanding and participation, and (ii) Promotion of Nigerian languages by government, and non - governmental organizations as well as individuals who are well to do in the society, e.t.c.
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    NIGERIAN NAMES AS ENACTMENTS OF THE HUMAN ESSENCE: AN ANALYSIS OF TIV PERSONAL NAMES
    (Department of Lanaguages and Linguisitcs, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2012-09-09) Akase, Tiav Thomas
    The act of naming is a medium for conceptual using and interpreting human experience which constitute the human perception of the world. As a means of asserting humanity, names act as a device for conceptualization and assigning nomenclature to experiences and perceptions of human beings. Through the act ol naming, humanity is enact being and engages the universe. This paper, attempts to explain one of the ways through which die human essence is expressed through an act of language, which is naming. The paper therefore, addresses the phenomenon of naming as a means through which humanity enacts being in Tiv language.
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    A Pragmatic Study of Linguistic Taboos in Tiv
    (Department of Language and Linguistics, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2021-11-11) Akase, Tiav Thomas; Garba, Patience Ashesla; Haruna, Iliyasu Makera
    There are a number of words and expressions in Tiv language that are not talked about openly in conversations for various reasons. Such words and expressions have bad connotations: they can cause shame or embarrassment, and are capable of thwarting the smooth flow of communication. This paper is a pragmatic study of linguistic taboos in Tiv. It examines not only the literal meaning of linguistic taboos but also the meaning that is derived from the norms of formality and politeness (pragmatics) that exist in Tiv society. Conversation with native speakers and participants observations served as the primary source of data collection. Written materials in form of textbooks, journal articles and dissertations were used as secondary sources. The data collected were descriptively analysed bringing out euphemistic or polite expressions. The findings reveal that there are linguistic taboos in Tiv and the adult native speakers observe them more than the younger ones in their conversations. The study also agrees that taboos help to instill morals in members of the society. Finally, the study shows that the euphemistic expressions provide free flow o communication which would have been put to a halt by linguistic taboos. The paper concludes that the problem created by linguistic taboos in communication because of its bad connotations can e overcome if the correct euphemistic expressions for such taboos in the language are identified and correctly used.
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    SOCIO-SEMANTIC AND CULTURAL VALUES OF TIV NAMES
    (Department of English, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2012-11-11) Akase, Tiav Thomas
    t Names as mark of identification have socio-semantic and cultural values and can reveal one's experiences, and prevailing situations of a particular person or bearers. To this end, our native names are a reflection of our beliefs, notion, views, experience and identity. It is true that human cultures are divergent in nature, the ways in which wc view the world are equally diverse and these are clearly reflected in the way we give names. The Tiv people attach a great importance to proper names and are holding fast to them. It is in view of this that this paper wants to look at the socio-semantic values of some names in Tiv cultural undertones and meanings as well as their relevance to cultural promotion and identity of Tiv nation. This and other reasons will be examined in the paper. The paper therefore, attempts to bring to light the perspectives leading to the understanding of Tiv names and attempt to explore what Tiv names means to Tiv society.