Eggon Compounding
| dc.contributor.author | Garba, Patience Ashesla | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2023-12-12T10:48:29Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2023-12-12T10:48:29Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2020-03-16 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Compounding is a common word derivation process in languages of the world, and it is said to be a productive way of forming words. However, the meaning and formation processes of compounds are more or less language specific, although there might be similarities. This study investigates and describes compounding in Eggon, its structures, defining criteria and productivity. The study tries to answer the questions: What are the defining criteria of Eggon compounds? What is the structure of the compound and how productive is compounding as a word formation process in the language? Eggon is one of the so called ‘minority group’ languages spoken in Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria. The language belongs to the Benue-Congo Plateau: Eggonic group of African languages. The study reveals that compounds are written as either a single word or two words; are head first (left headed) and their definition is based on semantics rather than phonology and syntax. Compounding in Eggon consists of various structures: N+N =N, N+V =N, V+N = V, V + V = V, Phrase = V, and Phrase = N components. The most productive are N+N = N, N+V = N, V+N = V while the least productive is V+V= V. Purposeful sampling, participant observation and interview, the writer’s intuitive knowledge of the language and training as a language student, alongside other documented sources constitute the major sources of data for the study. This paper adds to linguistic study in general and Eggon in particular, as not much has been done on compounding; it serves as a source of data and a reference material for other researchers. | en_US |
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| dc.identifier.uri | https://keffi.nsuk.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14448/3674 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGES AND LINGUISTICS FACULTY OF ARTS NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY KEFFI | en_US |
| dc.subject | Compounding, Structure, Defining Criteria, Productivity, Headedness. | en_US |
| dc.title | Eggon Compounding | en_US |
| dc.type | Article | en_US |