COMPONENTIAL ANALYSIS OF COLOUR TERMS IN EBIRA LANGUAGE
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
Description
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.