COUNTING SYSTEM IN ILAJE

Abstract This study explores the traditional counting system of the Ilaje people, a Yoruba-speaking ethnic group located in the riverine areas of Ondo State, Nigeria. While Ilaje shares linguistic roots with the broader Yoruba language, its numeral system exhibits unique structural and lexical features that reflect both indigenous innovations and cultural influences. The research investigates the formation of numbers in Ilaje, focusing on the principles of base counting, morpho-syntactic constructions, and the influence of Yoruba numerals. Data was gathered through fieldwork, including interviews with native speakers and analysis of oral and written sources. Findings reveal a predominantly vigesimal (base-20) structure, consistent with standard Yoruba, but with distinct phonological and lexical variations. Additionally, the study highlights how modernization and language contact are impacting the use and transmission of traditional number terms among younger Ilaje speakers. By documenting and analyzing these numeral forms, this work contributes to the broader understanding of numeral typology within Niger-Congo languages and supports ongoing efforts in the preservation of minority languages in Nigeria.