COMPONENTIAL ANALYSIS OF COLOUR TERMS IN EBIRA LANGUAGE

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Date
2020-02
Authors
LAWAL, Ozioho Halima
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Abstract
Colour terminology has become a centre stage study by anthropologists, sociolinguists and linguists in recent decades, because, the arguments are that, there are universal differences. The componential study of meaning in every language is very important because it gives language identity, and its social usage as well as it is part of the cultural activities. CA also advocates for the universal semantics differences of colour terms in all cultures. The lack of uniformity in colour expression and interpretation across cultures and little or no research on colour terms in Ebira, hence, the analysis of the componential features, connotative and denotative meanings of colour terms in EbiraLanguage. The aim of this study is a Componential Analysis of the Colour Terms in Ebira Language; the objectives are to identify the basic colour terminologies of Ebira Language; describe the componential features, connotative and denotative meanings of colour terms in Ebira; and describe the componential meaning of the colour terms in EbiraLanguage as it reflects the cultural belief of the people. The study adopts the Berlin and Kay (1969) postulation of colour terms and Geoffrey Leech‟s (1981) comprehensive explanation of various types of meaning, from the surface to the deepest level in the componential features, connotative and denotative meaning as a basis for analysis. This research employs a qualitative and descriptive approach in the collection of data, and the source of data for this research comprises primary and secondary sources. This is accomplished through a first person to obtain the data and/or data that has already been collected by other researches. The study reveals that there are seven basic colour terms in Ebira language; ovivi (red), ojooji (black), ovwuovwu (white), onivuru (purple), oni-daadu (brown), „Erere (green), odaziyiri (orange), oni-daadu (brown). The study also reveals that Ebira colours ovivi (red), ojooji (black), and ovwoovwu (white) have associated meanings apart from their literal meaning. The study led the researcher to conclude that the extension of colours is purely cognitive and has been stimulated by the people‟s understanding of their real experience
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A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND LITERARY STUDIES, FACULTY OF ARTS AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
COMPONENTIAL ANALYSIS,, COLOUR TERMS,, EBIRA LANGUAGE.
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