Lexical Correlations Between Igbo Language and Nembe Language of Bayelsa State.
Language is universal. Another interesting characteristics and nature of language is—it does not function or exist in isolation.
We know that borrowing is inevitable in any language of the world.
Language is universal. Another interesting characteristics and nature of language is—it does not function or exist in isolation.
We know that borrowing is inevitable in any language of the world.
Any language devoid of borrowing for survival go into extinction or dies. The case of old Latin which has suffered language death and shifted into Romance languages. The today's spoken Latin is not the original Latin. Why did Latin die? Inability to accept loan words like others.
English is able to stand sands of time because of its ability to borrow from other languages and makeup its lexicons.
Some languages also naturally have things in common without any form of borrowing.
With this brief background information to the study—
Some languages also naturally have things in common without any form of borrowing.
With this brief background information to the study—
we are looking into some Igbo and Nembe lexicons that are the same both morphologically, phonologically and semantically.
Nembe is a Local Government in Bayelsa State and also a dialect of Ijaw Language.
Nembe is a Local Government in Bayelsa State and also a dialect of Ijaw Language.
You may wonder, how will Igbo language and Nembe dialect of Ijaw have things in common despite different culture and geographical location?
* Let's take "plate" for instance. Look at the gross below:
Igbo Nembe English
Efere Efere Plate
* Let's take "plate" for instance. Look at the gross below:
Igbo Nembe English
Efere Efere Plate
In Igbo and Nembe, plate has the same meaning, the same pronunciation and the same shape.
* Let us look at the word chameleon:
Igbo Nembe
Ogwumagala Ogwumagala
Phonologically, morphologically and semantically, chameleon is the same in both Igbo and Nembe.
* Let us look at the word chameleon:
Igbo Nembe
Ogwumagala Ogwumagala
Phonologically, morphologically and semantically, chameleon is the same in both Igbo and Nembe.
* Let us look at spoon:
Igbo Nembe English
Ngaji Ngasi Spoon
In spoon, we see phonological variation of the last syllables, but semantically, there are the same.
* Let us look at welcome:
Igbo Nembe English
Nnọọ Nụa Welcome
Igbo Nembe English
Ngaji Ngasi Spoon
In spoon, we see phonological variation of the last syllables, but semantically, there are the same.
* Let us look at welcome:
Igbo Nembe English
Nnọọ Nụa Welcome
In Nembe, someone you show kindness can tell you "nụa".
From the aforementioned examples, we can see that both languages have some lexical features in common.
The question is, is it as a result of borrowing or coincidence? Is there any ancestral link between both speakers?
From the aforementioned examples, we can see that both languages have some lexical features in common.
The question is, is it as a result of borrowing or coincidence? Is there any ancestral link between both speakers?
From my findings and as research has it, Igbo and Ijaw are not genetically related, not even with language group. It means that borrowing took place. Who borrowed from who and when did this take place?
Remember that trans-atlantic slave trade really affected the Igbo.
Remember that trans-atlantic slave trade really affected the Igbo.
Many scattered in different part of Ijaw area. The proximity of the sea— Bonny area, Brass and co where it was easier to sail the slaves. The Igbo mingled amongst the people of the region. The age-long borrowing must have taken place via that means.
© Maazị Ogbonnaya.
© Maazị Ogbonnaya.
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