"THE ASPECTS OF IGEDE MORPHOLOGY “.

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Sapir (1921:8) defines language as a “purely human and non-instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions, feelings or desires by means of a system of voluntarily produced symbols”. Linguistically, language is an exclusive human property, this is because only human beings make use of Language, and all other living things use sounds which are not speech sounds. However, this development does not come up haphazardly, humans need to systematically string some acceptable letters or syllables together to form meaningful words for the purpose of communication, therefore linguistics is the scientific study of languages and it encompasses a wide range of branches including morphology, grammar phonology, semantics, and pragmatics, while morphology is the branch of grammar which is concerned with the formation of words. The word ‘morphology’ means the study of forms or structures of word. Morphological analysis can be defined as a linguistic technique that investigates the morphological structure of a word. Investigating aspects of morphology in Igede language is crucial to offer valuable insights into the internal structure of Igede words, encompassing their formation and modification to convey diverse meanings. This insight is gained through the analysis of word formation, inflection, and derivation, thereby shedding light on the morphological structures of the Igede language, which can serve as a reference for future work in similar and related study. 1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM The research problem tackled in this work is the underexplored aspect of Igede morphology. While prior studies have focused on word division, stress distribution, and compound formation, the internal structure of words in the language and some morphological processes available to the language have not been adequately presented by these researchers. Furthermore, there is limited documentation on the classification of morphemes in Igede, including their functions and interactions within words. The role of affixation, particularly prefixation and suffixation, in word formation remains unclear. Additionally, the extent to which reduplication and tone contribute to meaning in Igede morphology has not been fully examined. Another significant gap is the lack of a comprehensive analysis of Igede noun and verb morphology, including inflectional and derivational processes. The influence of tone on morphological structures and its role in distinguishing grammatical categories also requires further investigation. Given that Igede is a minority language, there is a need for more linguistic research to document and preserve its morphological features. This study, therefore, aims to fill these gaps by providing a detailed analysis of Igede morphology, identifying the various morphological processes at play, and examining their implications for the overall linguistic structure of the language. 1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 1) What are the morphological characteristics of words in the Igede language? 2) What are the morphological processes attested in the Igede language? 3) How are morphemes classified in Igede, and what are their roles in word formation? 4) What types of affixation (prefixation, suffixation, infixation) are present in Igede morphology? 5) How does tone function as a morphological marker in Igede? 6) What is the structure of Igede nouns and verbs in terms of inflectional and derivational morphology? 7) How do reduplication and compounding contribute to word formation in Igede? 8) How does Igede morphology compare with other Benue-Congo languages in terms of structure and processes? 1.4 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY The primary objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of Igede morphology by examining its structural and functional aspects. Specifically, this study aims to: 1. Identify and describe the morphological characteristics of words in the Igede language. 2. Examine the morphological processes attested in Igede, such as affixation, reduplication, and compounding. 3. Classify morphemes in Igede and analyze their roles in word formation. 4. Investigate the types of affixation (prefixation, suffixation, infixation) present in Igede and their impact on word structure. 5. Analyze the role of tone in morphological distinctions and meaning formation in Igede. 6. Explore the structure of Igede nouns and verbs, focusing on inflectional and derivational morphology. 7. Assess how morphological features in Igede influence syntax and meaning. 8. Compare Igede morphology with that of other Benue-Congo languages to determine similarities and differences and Contribute to the linguistic documentation and preservation of the Igede language by providing detailed morphological data. 1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY The outcomes of this study hold significant potential contributions in various aspects. Theoretically, the findings of this study can support and enhance existing studies concerning word formation processes. Practically, the findings of this study are expected to be beneficial to teachers, especially language teachers, in their instruction to their students. The teacher can make learning activity more interesting and useful to enrich the students' knowledge about word formation. In short, this research work can be used for pedagogical purpose. It will also provide information to help them develop their capacity and competence in morphology. Moreover, for future researchers and writers interested in exploring into the linguistic concept of morphology, the result of this study and the study as a whole can be used as a source or serves as reference material. 1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY This study focuses on the morphological structure of the Igede language, analyzing its word formation processes and internal word structure. Specifically, it examines the types of morphemes in Igede, their classification, and their roles in word formation. The study also investigates various morphological processes such as affixation (prefixation, suffixation, and possible infixation), reduplication, and compounding. Additionally, the research explores the influence of tone on morphology, particularly how it contributes to meaning distinctions in words. Special attention is given to noun and verb morphology, including inflectional and derivational processes, to determine how these affect grammatical structures in Igede. This study is limited to the analysis of morphological features without extensive focus on syntax or phonetics, except where necessary for explaining morphological patterns. Data will be collected from native Igede speakers and existing linguistic materials on the language. The study will also provide a comparative perspective by briefly examining how Igede morphology relates to other Benue-Congo languages. 1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY This study has some limitations due to the methodology and resources available. Firstly, the research relies heavily on online sources and consultations with a small number of Igede speakers, which may limit the depth of data collection. The absence of extensive fieldwork or access to a larger sample of native speakers may result in gaps in data representation. Additionally, since Igede is a lesser-documented language, the availability of scholarly resources is limited, making it challenging to cross-reference findings with existing academic works. The study is also constrained by time, which may restrict the extent of analysis on certain morphological aspects. Despite these limitations, efforts will be made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the findings through careful analysis and verification of data from multiple sources. 1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS 1. Morphology – In linguistics, morphology is the study of words, including the principles by which they are formed, and how they relate to one another within a language. According to Dorfman, morphology is the study of the ways and methods of grouping sounds into sound-complexes or words, of definite, distinct, conventional meaning. Bloomfield calls it the study of the constructions in which sound forms appear among the constituents. 2. Morpheme – The smallest unit of meaning in a language that cannot be broken down further. Defined by Leonard Bloomfield (1933) as “a minimal unit of grammatical analysis.” 3. Affixation – Affixation is a fundamental process in morphology (the study of word structure) where affixes, which are bound morphemes (meaning they cannot stand alone), are attached to a base or root morpheme. Types of Affixes: Prefixes: Added at the beginning of a word (e.g., "un-" in "unhappy"). Suffixes: Added at the end of a word (e.g., "-ing" in "walking"). Circumfixes: Added to both the beginning and end of a word (less common). Examples: "walk" + "-ing" = "walking". "happy" + "un-" = "unhappy". "type" + "-ical" = "typical". "atypical" refers to something that deviates from the norm or standard. 4.Tone – Tone is the use of pitch in language to distinguish lexical or grammatical meaning—that is, to distinguish or to inflect words. While all languages use pitch to convey emotion and emphasis (intonation), tone languages use pitch as a fundamental element of their vocabulary and grammar. 5. Syllable Structure – Syllables are units within words, and they also have an inner structure of their own. Every syllable has a nucleus, which is the most sonorous part of the syllable: a vowel or another sonorous sound. If there are consonants, which are less sonorous, they make up the onset and coda of the syllable. 6. Sound System – The set of sounds (phonemes) and rules governing their combination in a language. Defined by Trubetzkoy (1939) as “the system of phonemic contrasts and relationships in a given language.” 7. Borrowing – Refers to the process where a language adopts linguistic elements(like words,sounds or grammatical structure )from another language ,often due to contact between language communities .These borrowed elements are called loanwords. 8. Compounding – Refers to a word formation process where two or more words (or stems)are combined to create a new word or word with a new meaning , like “sunflower” or “underground”. 9. Data – Linguistics Data is any content that can be analysed and presented to further linguistics analysis. This can include ,but is by no means limited to , naturalistic observations fixed audio or video recordings or notes,experiments results,instrumental readings and surveys . 10. Reduplication – The process of repeating a sound or part of a word to create a new word,or the word that is created : reduplication of English speakers often form new words through reduplication of base word, usually with just a slight change of sound ,for example “super-duper” or “easy-peasy”.   CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 INTRODUCTION A literature review examines books and scholarly articles pertinent to a particular issue or field of study and offers critical assessment of these works in relation to the research problem being investigated. It also presents a review of related literature in line with the language under study.This chapter also captures the internal structure of Igede words, the internal structure of a word refers to the arrangement of morphemes that constitute the word. Morphemes are the smallest units of meaning in a language. In Igede language, words are typically made up of two or more morphemes. This research will explore the different types of morphemes in Igede language and how they combine to form words. This research will investigate the morphology of Igede nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, prepositions, and conjunctions etc. Some of the classes of word are basic words while some are derived by morphological means. In addition to the above, this research will delve into the formation of numerals in Igede language. Numerals are words that express quantity or number 2.1 REVIEW OF PREVIOUS STUDIES Armstrong (1983) provides an overview of the linguistic features and characteristics of the Idomoid languages which include their; grammar, vocabulary, and sound system. He also examines the relationships between the various idomoid languages . Armstrong noted that they all have similar basic word order, with subject-verb-object being the most common, and possessive noun phrases preceding the noun. The language family also share a number of grammatical features, such as tone marking, extensive use of nominal affixes, and verbal inflection. Armstrong discusses the sound systems of the idomoid languages, noting that they are tone languages. He also describes the various consonant and vowel sounds used in different Idomoid languages and notes that there are differences in sound systems between the different languages. One example of the complex tonal system in Idomoid languages is found in the Agatu language, where there are three level tones (high, mid, and low) as well as two contour tones (rising and falling). Another example is in Etulo language, where there are four level tones (high, mid-high, mid-low, and low). Igede language which is also an Idomoid language has four level tone namely low tone, high tone, mid tone, and falling tone. Bergman (1971) gave a descriptive analysis of the vowel harmony system, revealing how vowel undergo systematic changes to harmonize with adjacent vowel within word. It explore the phonological processes such as vowel coalescence, vowel elision compensatory lengthening, tone alternation, and consonant alternation. The study establishes that vowel sandhi consistently take place at the junction of verbs or particles and nouns, contributing to a clearer understanding of Igede phonological processes by proposing a balance between representing the elided form and the full form of words. For example: Gloss Full form Elided form Take yams kpa iju kpiju of the leopard ña ìjwò ñìjwò to (do) rain da eni deni Thanks for doing óbè ɔhɔhɔ óbɔ̀hɔhɔ Until evening gbè obí gbobí Abiodun (1989) provides a comprehensive study on the noun class system of the Igede language. The study sheds light on the characteristics and features of the Igede noun class system, The Igede language has a complex class system for nouns that involves a combination of semantic and morphological criteria. Nouns are grouped into classes based on semantic features such as shape, material, and function, as well as morphological features such as prefixes. The class system is used to determine the agreement between nouns and adjectives, as well as between nouns and verbs. Abiodun (1991) notes that vowel harmony is a common feature in many African languages, including Igede language. He says vowel harmony is a phonological process in which vowels in a word are influenced by a single vowel sound, referred to as the trigger vowel, the trigger vowel is typically found at the beginning of a word, and the rest of the vowels in the word must conform to the trigger vowel in terms of height and roundedness. Abiodun (1991) highlights the distinction between two types of vowel harmony in the Igede language: rounding harmony and height harmony. Rounding harmony requires the vowels in a word to be either rounded or unrounded, while height harmony requires the vowels in a word to be either high or low. The study notes that these vowel harmony processes play a crucial role in shaping the pronunciation of words in the Igede language. For example: Gloss Singular Plural Ear úru áru Leaf ufu afu Calabash ógò ígò Rat òdzígá ìdzígá Pot ota Ita Mat obá ibá Stone edzwo adzwo Farm érù árù In this context, the Vowel Alternations Principle serves to maintain vowel harmony constraint. It is observed that all rounded vowels, specifically [u] and [o], find application within the singular group. Conversely, among the unrounded vowels, excluding [e], the vowels [i] and [a] are utilized in the plural group. "Notably, the vowel [e] finds usage within the singular group; however, the researcher did not account for the reason [e] is used in the singular group." Moreover, a distinct characteristic is evident in the singular and plural prefixes, as they exhibit a pattern of cross-height pairing. These observations highlight the role and impact of the Vowel alternations principle in maintaining vowel harmony and the distribution of rounded and unrounded vowels in the singular and plural groups David Elugbe (1989) works on Comparative Edoid :phonology and lexicon which offers comparative insights ,linking Igede to other Edoid related languages. His findings provides a framework for analyzing morphological similarities and differences across languages in the region. Andrew Philips Adeaga (2016) Adeaga’s study examines the cultural significance of kolanut among the Igede people ,providing insights into sociolinguistic aspects that can influence language use and expression . Agwuele (1990’s) Agwuele focused on the sound system of the Igede language , including its tonal structure and phonotactic rules . While this is more phonological than morphological , it helps in understanding how morphemes are pronounced and combined in Igede. Akintoye Oluwole Samuel (2020) Samuel explored how focus constructions are formed in Igede compared to certain Yoruba dialects, providing insights into sentence structure and the morphological markers used to indicate focus. Example: Ó mọ̀ pé (‘It is I who called’) In this construction, Ó serves as a focus marker emphasizing the subject. Babatunde Abdullahi (2023) Abdullahi conducted a comparative analysis on how tense and aspects are expressed in Igede and Ebira, focusing on the morphological markers that convey these grammatical categories . Example: Present Continuous Tense in Igede Ó nà á kà (‘He is driving a car’) In this example, nà functions as an auxiliary verb indicating the present continuous aspect Babatunde Sehinde Michael (2024) Michael examined the morpho-syntactic characteristics of noun and verb phrases in both English and Igede , identifying areas of convergence and divergence ,which is particularly useful for understanding structure of these phrases in Igede Example: Igede Noun phrase structure óhí kà á gbà (‘the person’s big car’) In this example, Óhí (person) is the head noun , kà ( car) is the possessed noun , á is the genitive marker , and gbà (big) is the adjective modifying the noun . Convergence This refers to similarities between two or more languages or structures. When features of two languages align or behave in the same way, they are said to converge. Example: In both English and Igede, adjectives can come before or after nouns depending on the structure. • English: big car • Igede (simplified example): kà gbà (‘car big’) If both languages allow adjective modification of nouns, that’s a point of convergence. Divergence This refers to differences between the structures or systems of two languages. When a language does something differently from another, that’s divergence. Example: English uses “-s” to show plural: • book → books Igede may use different strategies like tone change or a separate plural marker (e.g., ákpá → ákpàhí for ‘bag’ → ‘bags’ hypothetically). This would be a divergence. So, when Babalola Sehinde Michael talks about convergence and divergence in Igede and English noun/verb phrases, he’s analyzing what’s similar and what’s different in how the two languages form and use these structures. The research gap in this project revolves around the insufficient exploration of specific aspects of Igede morphology. Existing studies, such as Bergman (1971), have primarily focused on word division, stress distribution, and compound formation. While these works contribute to the understanding of Igede morphology, they lack comprehensive examinations of other crucial elements such as word formation and derivation. Additionally, the investigations conducted by Abiodun (1989) and Bergman (1971) mainly consist of word lists without providing substantial morphological accounts of the fundamental lexical items in the Igede language. Therefore, to have a comprehensive and accurate understanding of Igede morphology, there is a pressing need for research that incorporates corpus data. Utilizing corpus data would allow researchers to access a sizable and representative sample of the Igede language, enabling a more systematic exploration of its morphological features. Therefore, the research gap addressed in this project aims to conduct a meticulous and in-depth study of specific aspects of Igede morphology. By bridging these gaps, this research will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of Igede morphology and enhance scholarly knowledge in the field. 2.2 IGEDE PEOPLE AND THEIR LANGUAGE 2.2.1 GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF IGEDE LANGUAGE Igede is a language spoken in Benue and Cross River States, Nigeria. The speakers of Igede language are indigenous to the Nigerian local governments of Oju and Obi, which had an estimated 267,198 residents according to 2006 population census. Based on the 2023 election voter register, it has been observed that the community primarily inhabited by residents of Igede has a substantial number of eligible voters, amounting to 312,426 individuals, using number of eligible voters as a basis for estimating the population of Igede language speakers, it is presumed that 30% of the total population comprises individuals who speak Igede but are not eligible to vote. With this assumption, the projected number of Igede speakers is estimated to be approximately 405,154 individual 2.3 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF IGEDE LANGUAGE The Igede people are an ethnic group that primarily reside in the northeastern part of Benue State, Nigeria. According to Wikipedia, Igede people are believed to have migrated in the early 19th century to their present location from Sabon Gida Oraof the present-day Edo State in Southern Nigeria, and have settled in the present-day Benue State. Their migration is believed to have been driven by the need to escape the slave trade and the violence of the slave trade. During this time, many Igede people were converted to Christianity from traditional religion, and the language was used in the translation of religious texts and in Christian worship services. Igede people are predominantly farmers cultivating maize, cassava, groundnut and yam. Igede people can be associated with popular Igede Agba festival, an annual celebration that marks the yam harvest season in September. The festival is an avenue for Igede people to showcase their rich culture, thank their god for good harvest, and welcome new planting season. The traditional dancing and masquerades are also the features exhibited to show the cultural value of the festival. This festival is attended by sons and daughters, both domestically and internationally. The Igede people have a rich oral tradition and the language has been passed down through generations. In recent years, there have been efforts to preserve the Igede language, including the creation of a dictionary and a grammar book, as well as the development of language-learning materials for speakers of the language. These efforts aim to promote the use of Igede language among the younger generation, and to ensure that the language and culture of the Igede people are not lost. 2.4 LINGUISTICS INFROMATION ABOUT IGEDE LANGUAGE Sound system of igede According to the data collected in this research, there are 23 consonants in Igede language while there are 7 oral vowels and 5 nasal vowels. The consonants sound chart will be presented in Table 1 while vowels in Table 2 below: Table 1: A PHONETIC CHART OF IGEDE LANGUAGE CONSONANTS PLACE Bilabial Labio- Dental Alveolar Palato- Alveolar Palatal Velar Glottal Labial-velar MANNER Nasal M n ɲ ŋ Plosive p b t d k g ͡͡kp g͡b Fricative f v s ʃ h Affricate tʃ ʤ Central Approximant ɹ J w Lateral Approximant l Table 1.1: Consonant Description in Different Environments S/N S/N SOUSOUND WOWORD INITIAL WOWORD FINAL WWWORD MEDIAL 1 /m/ /màń/ mould /ɛtákom/ cassava /ɛ́mɛ̀/ breast (female) 2 /n/ /núne/ sleep /wɛ̀fán/ enter /ɔnṹ/ mouth 2 /ɲ/ _________ _________ /ɔɲã/ woman 4 /ŋ/ _________ /ɔ̀pìòmáŋ/ mud /ɔ̀ŋ̀ɡà/ guest 5 /p/ /pɛ́lɔni/ Lick /èpè/ dust _________ 6 /b/ /bɛɹɛ / stink /úbɔdʒi/ hold _________ 7 /t/ /tuku/ close _________ /ɔ̀tɔkà/ big 8 /d/ /dɛ̀dʒì/ play(games) _________ /dʒídíá/ weep 9 /k/ /kàŋ́ / carve _________ /múèku/ break 10 /ɡ/ /ɡáŋ/ Split _________ /òɡùnoɡu/ bone 11 /kp/ /kpohe/ Surpass _________ /ùkpɛtʃi/ navela 12 /ɡb/ /ɡbú/ die _________ /uɹòɡbɛ / open 13 /f/ /fàáɹó/ take off _________ /tʃèfóɹó/ pass (by) 14 /v/ _________ _________ evũna – groundnut 15 /s/ _________ _________ /isi/ swell 16 /ʃ/ _________ _________ /eʃi/ market 17 /h/ /hó/ dwell _________ /òhò/ sit(down) 18 /tʃ/ /tʃàmóore/ tie (rope) _________ /dɔnútʃi/ greet 19 /dʒ/ /dʒɛ́/ know _________ /ùkódʒi/ stick 20 /ɹ/ /ɹàŋ́ / buy _________ /bɛɹɛ / stink 21 /j/ /jojí/ steal _________ /wijĩ́/ plait 22 /w/ /wijĩ́/ Plait _________ /tʃiwo/ dance 23 /l/ /lula/ Burn _________ /tʃílá/ extinguish Table 2: A PHONETIC CHART OF IGEDE LANGUAGE VOWELS Front Central Back i ĩ u ũ Close o e Close-mid ɛ ɛ̃ ɔ ͻ̃ open-mid a ã Open Table 2.1: Vowel Description in Different Environments No. Sound Word initial Word medial Word final 1 /i/ /ijĩ́/ head / ãníre/ teeth /ùkódʒi/ 2 /ĩ/ /ĩjĩ́ejĩ/ crocodile /ejĩòhì/ rain /ijĩ́/ head 3 /e/ /ètùò/ beard /úɡbéta/ thiɡh /aníre/ teeth 4 /ɛ/ /ɛlɛ́lɛ / tonɡue /bɛɹɛ / stink /dʒɛ́/ know 5 /ɛ᷈/ /ɛ᷈nijo/ body _________ _________ 6 /a/ /àŋ́/ thinɡ /nàma/ chin /ɛ̀là/ word 7 /ã/ / ãníre/ teeth /ebãng/ bag _________ 8 /u/ /uɡbéma/ machete /ètùò/ beard /ɡbú/ die 9 /ũ/ _________ /ojũn/ glass / ɔnṹ/ mouth 10 /o/ /ori/ rope /ònjòrɛ̀/ donkey /ùdo/ basket 11 /ɔ/ /ɔ̀ɡɔ́dɔ́/ cow /milɔn/ swallow /ākuɔ / calabash 12 /ɔ̃/ / ɔ̃ŋɔ̀mèjè / teacher _________ _________ 2.5 SYLLABLE STRUCTURE OF IGEDE LANGUAGE Ladefoged and Johnson (2011:248) define syllable as “the smallest possible unit of speech.” The syllable structure of the Igede language is characterized by a consistent pattern of a vowel sound (V) being preceded and followed by one or more consonant sounds (C). The basic syllable structure in Igede is (C)V(C), which means that a syllable must have a vowel sound at its core, and it may be preceded and/or followed by one or more consonant sounds. 2.6 TONE SYSTEM OF IGEDE LANGUAGE Pike (1948:3) defines a tone language as “a language having lexically significant, contrastive, but relative pitch on each syllable”. This definition set out some features that a tone should possess, although it is not necessary that tone must be lexically significant on each syllable. Welmer (1959:2) opines that “a tone language is a language in which pitch tonemes and segmental phonemes enter into the composition of at least some morphemes.” Tone is a common phenomenon in African languages, Tone plays a significant role in Igede; it performs grammatical and lexical functions. Igede has a four tone; [ ̀] – low tone, [ ́] – high tone, [ ̄ ] – mid tone, [ ̂ ] – falling tone. In respect to tone marking, the [ ̄ ] – mid tone is unmarked while others are marked. Examples of tone in Igede language i. [ōnṹ] – ‘mouth’ mid/ high ii. [ēwɔ̀] – ‘blood’ mid/low iii. [ēmā] – ‘salt’ mid/ mid iv. [ábâ] – ‘chin’ high/falling Tone in the Igede language cannot perform a grammatical function in the Igede language, but it can perform a lexical function. It is capable of distinguishing meaning. Below are words with the same sound but different tones; i. ɛ́mɛ̀ breast ɛ́mɛ́ kolanut ii. ɔbá mat ɔ̀bá river iii. ɔhò wind ɔho firewood 2.7 WORD CLASSESS IN IGEDE LANGUAGE Word classes refer to the category of words based on the function each word performs in a sentence. In Igede, word classes are divided into two main groups: open class items and closed class items. The open class items encompass nouns, adjectives, and verbs. They are termed open class in the sense that their number is infinite, and new ones are continuously generated. Conversely, the closed class items consist of pronouns, conjunctions, and prepositions. 2.8 MORPHOLOGY OF IGEDE NOUNS AND PRONOUNS Morphology of Nouns Noun is a given name to group of words which name person, place, things, groups, ideas etc. Nouns in Igede can be classified into the following ; Disyllabic word Gloss i. ijĩ́ Hair ii. óro Ear iii. ɔnṹ Mouth iv. ɛ̀wɔ̀ Blood v. ídeSaliva Polysyllabic word Gloss i. òkpɔ́rɔ̀kɔ̀ Neck ii. ɛlɛ́lɛ Tongue iii. ábɛ̀kpɛ́ Back iv. òɡùnuɡu Bone v. etéré Feaces In Igede, disyllabic words are those with two syllables, and the syllabic structure for these words is VCV (Vowel-Consonant-Vowel). Polysyllabic words, on the other hand, have more than two syllables, and their syllabic structure is VCVCV or VCVCVCV (alternating between vowels and consonants). In the Igede language, vowel-initial pattern is consistent in the formation of nouns in Igede. The presence of vowel-initial syllables reflects a key phonological feature in Igede, contributing to the language's unique sound patterns and phonotactics. MORPHOLOGY OF IGEDE PRONOUNS Pronouns are words used in place of nouns, Ipadeola and Ojo(2000:54) assert that pronoun represent people or things without naming them. I. Personal Pronouns in Igede Subjective form Objective form Number Person I am Me Am Singular 1st We àhɪ́ Us àhɪ́ Plural 1st You àhù You Àhù Singular/plural 2nd They ìwà Them Ìwà Plural 3rd He/she ɔ́ Him/her ɔ́ Singular 3rd Igede does not mark a distinction between the masculine and feminine gender. The forms of the pronouns for both genders are always the same. Igede personal pronouns are monosyllabic with V syllable structure, bi-syllabic with VC structure and VCV structure. Person, gender, and number are all grammatical categories in the Igede language and they are not marked by any morpheme. II. Possessive Pronouns Possessive pronouns in Igede help to express ownership or possession in various contexts. i. ‘‘Mine’ - ìŋàm ii. ‘Ours’ - amé iii. ‘Yours’ - ìŋãm iv. ‘Theirs’ - iɲa v. ‘its’ - iɲi Igede possessive pronouns manifested in the data collected are polysyllabic, they have VCVCVC. III. Interrogative pronouns i. who - ɔ́iti ii. what - iɛ́ iii. where - álé iv. when - ukɔ́nati v. how - aɳíti Igede interrogative pronouns manifested in the collected data are disyllabic and polysyllabic; they have V-V, VCV, VCVCV, and VCVCVCV structures. Igede interrogative pronouns usually begin with a vowel. 2.9 MORPHOLOGY OF IGEDE VERBS AND ADJECTIVES Verbs are words that express actions, occurrences or state of being in a sentence. They convey what the subject does, experiences, or is in relation to the action or event described. Yusuf (1997:21) classified verbs into two classes transitive and intransitive verbs. Transitive verbs are one that has an NP object. They require a direct object to have a complete meaning. Examples in Igede; i. ‘swallow’ - milɔn ii. ‘kill’ - nũ iii. ‘drink’ - nuɔ́ iv. ‘see’ - jɔhé v. ‘sell’ - lá vi. ‘carry’ - hu The intransitive verbs, on the other hand, are verbs that do not require an object or complement to have complete meaning. Examples in Igede; i. fall - kìdʒi ii. touch - íbuɡuo iii. lauɡh - olɛ́ho iv. dance - tʃiwo v. fiɡht - mújà vi. teach - mèjè Some verbs can also function as noun based on their usage in sentences. Below are some instances of verbs functioning as nouns in Igede; i. Igede - ɔ wówà tʃiwo rómɛ́ Gloss - She have dance beautiful English translation -she has a beautiful dance ii. Igede - am dò ɔ mú ekà mújà Gloss - I challenge him to fight English translation - I challenge him to a fight iii. Igede - bála ojàɡbè àmwúmɛ̀dʒɛ̀’ Gloss – constant talk me irritate English translation - constant talk irritate me The morphology of Igede predicts that verbs, both transitive and intransitive, are monosyllabic and bisyllabic. Verb in Igede according to observation from the collected data show that verbs are formed through the following patterns; CV, CV-CV and V- CV-CV. MORPHOLOGY OF ADJECTIVES These are words that provide more information about a noun or pronoun. Adjectives usually tell us about colour, size and nationality. Some examples of adjectives are: Colour: i. ‘black’ - ònɔhíri ii. ‘white’ - òníòrù iii. red’ - ɔ̀nɔméla Size: i. ‘biɡ’ - ɔ̀tɔkà ii. ‘small’ - òtʃítʃí iii. ‘lonɡ’ - ɔɡbɔ̀ iv. ‘short’ - òkpí Quality: i. ‘old’ - ònioɡu ii. ‘new’ - òníòwè iii. ‘rich’ - ɔ̀lɔ̀dɔ̀ iv. ‘poor - áwɔ In the Igede language, adjectives can function as nouns depending on their usage in a sentence. The process by which this can be achieved is called conversion. Below are examples of adjectives functioning as nouns in sentences; i. Igede - ɔ̀lɔ̀dɔ̀ áteí opkéìkáwɔ Gloss - rich shouldhelppoor ` English translation The rich should help the poor ii. Igede - ùtʃé ɔ̀nɔméla kùʃè òníòrù wɛ́ɡàerì Gloss - Prefer red over white wine English translation- I prefer the red over the white when it comes to wine iii. Igede - ãɡìdíɛdó rò tétɔ jè ɔ̀jolàrɛ balɔ̀ paídju Gloss - Sick receive proper care medical and attention English translation-The sick should receive proper medical care and attention   2.10 MORPHOLOGY OF IGEDE PREPOSITIONS AND CONJUNCTIONS Morphology of Igede Prepositions Ashade (1987: 51) define preposition as a prepositions is a word which shows the relationship between one person and another; one place and other; or one thing and another. i. ‘on’ - ùʃɔ̀ɡbà ii. ‘under’- epélèdʒì iii. ‘in’ - ɛ̀fɔ iv. ‘to’ - owó v. ‘at’ - uwé vi. ‘for’ - ikwò vii. ‘towards’ - adô viii. ‘before’ – iní The composition of Igede prepositions are bi syllabic with VCV and polysyllabic with VCVCVCV. Igede prepositions perform an adpositional function, allowing them to exist as separate words and appear before clauses and verbs, indicating the directional relationship between elements in the sentence. Below are some sentences establishing the function of preposition in Igede language; i. Igede - ofɔ́wà dú ɛ̀fɔ njikɔ́bɔ̀bɔ̀ Gloss- book is in cupboard English Translation- The book is in the cupboard ii. Igede- ofɔ́wà dú ji epélèdʒì tébù Gloss- book is under table English translation -The book is under the table iii. Igede - afɔpa dʃɛ ùʃɔ̀ɡbà kodji Gloss - flag is on pole English translation - The flaɡ is on the pole Conjunctions in Igede Language A conjunction is a part of speech that connects words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence. It is used to establish relationships between different elements and to coordinate or subordinate ideas. i. ‘and’ - balɔ̀ ii. ‘but/or’ – lè iii. ‘because’ – tʃají Igede conjunctions manifested in the data collected, the monosyllabic have CV while bi-syllabic have CVCV. 2.11 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF NUMERALS IN IGEDE LANGUAGE i. ‘One’ òkpókpó ii. ‘Two’ imíìjè iii. ‘Three’ ɔ̀htata iv. ‘Four’ ɪ́ne v. ‘Five’ éró vi. ‘Six’ erùɔnje vii. ‘Seven’ irùjè viii. ‘Eight’ inèkú ix. ‘Nine’ ìjíkítʃú x. ‘Ten’ iwo xi. ‘Eleven’ iwokúròkpókpó xii. ‘Fifteen’ iwokúrɛro xiii. ‘Twenty’ ohu xiv. ‘Thirty’ òhùkúriwo xv. ‘Forty’ ohuìjè xvi. ‘Fifty’ ohuìjèkúriwo xvii. ‘Sixty’ òhùita xviii. ‘Seventy’ òhùitakúriwo xix. ‘Eighty’ ohuíne xx. ‘Ninety’ ohuínekúriwo xxi. ‘One hundred’ ohuéró xxii. ‘Two hundred’ òhùiwo xxiii. ‘Four hundred’ unɔ In the morphology of Igede numerals, larger numbers are formed from the basic one to ten and twenty through the means of addition and multiplication. The Igede numeral system exhibits a systematic pattern of building larger numbers. For example, 'eleven' is formed by compounding 'ten' (iwo) with 'one' (òkpókpó), giving "iwokúòkpókpó." Similarly, 'fifteen' is created by compounding 'ten' (iwo) with 'five' (éró), yielding "iwokúrɛro." For higher numbers, the multiplication method is applied, such as 'one hundred' (ohuéró), which is formed by multiplying 'ten' (iwo) with 'twenty' (ohu).   CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 INTRODUCTION TO METHODOLOGY This chapter outlines the methods used in carrying out this research on aspects of Igede morphology. Since the study is focused on a less-documented language, a qualitative approach was adopted. The main aim is to gather relevant linguistic data that can help describe and analyze the morphological structures of the Igede language. To achieve this, data was collected through two main sources: interviews with native speakers of Igede and online research. Two native speakers were interviewed to provide firsthand information about the language. These interviews were informal and conversational, allowing the speakers to express themselves freely and naturally. This helped in gathering examples of words, sentences, and morphological patterns used in everyday speech. In addition to the interviews, online sources such as academic articles, linguistic blogs, and language documentation websites were consulted. These helped in supporting and cross-checking the information obtained from the native speakers, especially in areas where more technical or comparative explanations were needed. The combination of these two methods ensured that the data collected is both authentic and reliable, giving a balanced foundation for the analysis of Igede morphology in the next chapters. 3.2 RESEARCH DESIGN This study adopts a qualitative research design to analyze the aspects of Igede morphology. Since the research focuses on understanding the structure and formation of words in Igede, a descriptive approach will be used to explain the different morphological processes present in the language. Data for this research will be gathered from two main sources: online materials and consultations with a few native Igede speakers. Online sources, including published linguistic works and articles, will provide background knowledge and existing information on Igede morphology. In addition, direct consultations with Igede speakers will help verify data, provide practical examples, and clarify areas where documented sources may be lacking. The analysis will focus on identifying morphemes, affixation patterns, word formation processes, and the role of tone in morphology. Examples collected will be examined to understand how Igede words are structured and how different morphological elements interact. Since this study is being conducted independently without large-scale fieldwork, the findings will be based on available resources and personal analysis. However, efforts will be made to ensure accuracy by cross-checking information and using logical linguistic analysis. 3.3 DATA COLLECTION METHOD For this research on aspects of Igede morphology, data was collected using two main methods: interviews with native speakers and online research. These methods were chosen to ensure that the data gathered is rich, authentic, and useful for linguistic analysis. First, interviews were conducted with two native speakers of Igede. These speakers were selected based on their fluency and regular use of the language. The interviews were informal and flexible, allowing the speakers to freely share words, phrases, and sentences in Igede. This approach made it possible to observe how morphological elements like prefixes, suffixes, and word formation processes appear in natural speech. Notes were taken during the interviews, and some parts were recorded with the consent of the speakers for later analysis. Secondly, online sources were used to support the data collected from the speakers. These sources included linguistic articles, language documentation websites, and relevant blog posts about the Igede language. Although online resources on Igede are limited, they provided useful insights and helped to verify certain patterns and structures observed during the interviews. By combining both methods, this research was able to gather reliable and varied data, which serves as the basis for the morphological analysis of the Igede language. 3.4 DATA ANALYSIS METHOD The data will be transcribed and analyzed using Praat software for phonetic details, with particular attention to tone as a morphological feature. Morphological processes such as affixation, reduplication, compounding, and tone marking will be examined in detail. The analysis will focus on: • Noun Morphology: Examining noun classes, gender distinctions, pluralization, and nominal derivations. • Verb Morphology: Analyzing verb roots, tense/aspect marking, subject agreement, and verb derivation processes such as causative and applicative constructions. • Affixation: Identifying and classifying the prefixes, suffixes, and other affixes in Igede, and determining their roles in word formation. • Tone in Morphology: Investigating how tone interacts with morphological processes, particularly in marking grammatical categories such as tense or mood. 3.5 RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS The main instruments used for this research were an interview guide, a notebook, and a recording device. These tools helped in collecting, organizing, and preserving the data needed for the analysis of Igede morphology. The interview guide was a set of basic questions and prompts prepared to direct the conversation with the native speakers. It included requests for common Igede words, example sentences, word breakdowns, and explanations of how words are formed. Although the interviews were informal, the guide helped to keep the discussions focused on relevant morphological aspects. A notebook was used to take notes during and after the interviews. Important points such as word examples, translations, and explanations given by the speakers were recorded immediately to avoid loss of information. A recording device (a phone recorder) was also used during the interviews—with the permission of the speakers—to capture their spoken responses. This allowed for repeated listening and careful analysis of pronunciation, tone, and structure during the data analysis stage. These instruments together ensured that the data collected was accurate, clear, and useful for the morphological study of the Igede language. 3.6 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS Ethical considerations were taken seriously throughout the course of this research. Since the study involved human participants, specifically native speakers of the Igede language, certain steps were followed to ensure that their rights and privacy were respected. Before each interview, the purpose of the research was clearly explained to the participants. Their consent was obtained verbally, and they were assured that their participation was voluntary. They were also informed that they could choose not to answer any question or withdraw from the interview at any point without any consequences. In addition, permission was sought before recording any part of the interview. The recordings were used strictly for academic purposes and to aid accurate analysis of the language data. The identities of the participants were kept confidential, and no personal details were included in the project. By observing these ethical practices, the research was carried out in a respectful and responsible manner, ensuring the comfort and dignity of all participants involved. 3.7 LIMITATIONS During the course of this research on Igede morphology, several challenges were encountered, which impacted the scope and depth of the study. These limitations include: 1. Limited Availability of Native Speakers – Since Igede is a minority language, finding fluent speakers who could provide detailed explanations of morphological structures was difficult. The study relied on consultations with only a few speakers, which may not fully represent all dialectal variations. 2. Scarcity of Written Materials – There are very few published linguistic works on Igede, making it challenging to cross-reference findings with existing research. Most of the available resources were general overviews rather than in-depth morphological analyses. 3. Dependence on Online Research – Due to the lack of comprehensive books and academic papers on Igede, much of the research depended on online sources, which were sometimes limited in depth and reliability. 4. Time Constraints – Conducting independent research while managing other academic responsibilities made it difficult to explore certain aspects of Igede morphology in greater detail. More time would have allowed for a broader and more thorough analysis. 5. Challenges in Data Collection – Some Igede speakers struggled to explain morphological concepts explicitly, as they are native speakers but not trained linguists. This required extra effort in analyzing and interpreting their responses. 6. Tone Analysis Difficulties – Since Igede is a tonal language, identifying and analyzing tonal variations in morphology was challenging without advanced phonetic tools or a trained linguist’s guidance. The study relied on careful listening and speaker intuition, which may have limitations in accuracy. Despite these challenges, every effort was made to ensure that the data collected was accurate, reliable, and relevant to the study. CHAPTER FOUR DISCUSSION OF MORPHOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN IGEDE LANGUAGE 4.0 INTRODUCTION Morphological processes refer to the methods and procedures used for word formation, also known as word formation processes. Across different languages, there are specific rules governing word formation. These processes encompass affixation (prefixation, infixation, suffixation, suprafixation, circumfixation, and interfixation), borrowing, blending, clipping, reduplication, compounding, and various others. 4.1 AFFIXATION IN IGEDE LANGUAGE Affixation is the morphological process by which bound morphemes are attached to the root or stem to form new words which ca n differ in meaning, part of speech or grammatical relationship. Affixes take on several forms and serve different functions. Affixation can be in form of prefixation, suffixation, infixation, circumfixation, interfixation etc. and it is the most widely used morphological process in the formation of words. Hence, Affixation is a common phenomenon in languages of the world. Based on the data collected, Igede language exhibits various linguistic phenomena, including prefixation, suffixation, and interfixation, as well as borrowing and compounding. 4.2 PREFIXATION IN IGEDE LANGUAGE Prefixation is a linguistic process in which a morpheme, called a prefix, is added to the beginning of a word. These prefixes constitute an essential element of word generation across various languages. The inclusion of a prefix before a root word holds the capacity to alter its grammatical classification (part of speech) or bring about adjustments to its significance (meaning) The Igede prefix ɔ̃ŋɔ̀ could be interpreted as agentive marker in the language. In applying prefix ɔ̃ŋɔ̀ to the root word (verb) the word class changes from verb to noun. When prefix ɔ̃ŋɔ̀ is attached to the root it give variant of someone who does something. The cited data below provide examples of this phenomena. i. ɔ̃ŋɔ̀ + mèjè =ɔ̃ŋɔ̀mèjè agentive marker teach teacher ii. ɔ̃ŋɔ̀ + dùbuo= ɔ̃ŋɔ̀dùbuo agentive marker help helper iii. ɔ̃ŋɔ̀ + jòi= ɔ̃ŋɔ̀jòi agentive marker look looker iv. ɔ̃ŋɔ̀ + tùtu = ɔ̃ŋɔ̀tùtu agentive marker lock locker v. ɔ̃ŋɔ̀ + híle = ɔ̃ŋɔ̀híle agentive marker clean cleaner The given examples showcase the phonological process of agglutination in the Igede language, where the agentive marker "ɔ̃ŋɔ̀" attaches to different base words to form new words. This process involves phonological changes due to the interaction of morphemes, resulting in the creation of agent nouns that signify the doer of an action. 4.3 SUFFIXATION IN IGEDE LANGUAGE Suffixation is a process used in linguistics to form new words by adding a meaningful unit called a suffix to the end of a base or root word. Suffixes are morphemes that can change or enhance the meaning of the base word, indicate grammatical functions, or specify word class. This process is prevalent in many languages and plays a significant role in expanding vocabulary. In Igede language ká suffix could interpreted as negative marker. The cited data below provides examples of this phenomenon negis an abbreviation for negative marker. i. dʒɛ́ + ká =dʒɛ́ká learn Neg unlearn ii. há + ká =háká legal Neg illegal iii. tʃipè + ká =tʃipèká possible Neg impossible iv. baba + ká = babaká important Neg unimportant The data demonstrates the morphological process of suffixation in the language. The suffix "ká" alters the meaning of the root word by adding a negative connotation. When attached to the root, it negates the positive meaning of the root, creating antonyms. This process showcases how a single suffix can systematically transform the semantics of words. 4.4 INTERFIXATION IN IGEDE LANGUAGE Interfixation is a process that deals with inserting of morpheme between two words to derive another word. In Igede language,addition is linguistically expressed using the inter-fix [-kúr-], The cited data below provides examples of this phenomenon. i. iwo -kúr-òkpókpó = iwokúròkpókpó Ten plus one Eleven ii. iwo-kúr-ɛro =iwokúrɛro Ten plus five Fifteen iii. Òhù-kúr-iwo =òhùkúriwo Twenty plus tenThirty iv. ‘ohuìjè-kúr-iwo =ohuìjèkúriwo Forty plus tenFifty v. ‘òhùita-kúr-iwo =òhùitakúriwo Sixty plus tenSeventy vi. Ohuíne -kúr-iwo =ohuínekúriwo Eighty plus ten Ninety In Igede, the interfix [-kúr-] signifies addition. The given data showcases this process in the formation of; "iwokúròkpókpó" (eleven), "iwokúrɛro" (fifteen), "òhùkúriwo" (thirty), "ohuìjèkúriwo" (fifty), "òhùitakúriwo" (seventy), and "ohuínekúriwo" (ninety). This interfix provides a systematic method for expressing numerical addition. 4.5 SUPRAFIXATION IN IGEDE LANGUAGE Suprafixation is a common phenomenon in African languages due to the tonal feature of African languages. Igede language exhibits tone modification. In the Igede language, tone is capable of distinguishing the meaning of words. The data given below provides examples of this phenomenon in the Igede language. i. óro ear orô knee ii. ɛ́mɛ̀ breast ɛ́mɛ́ kolanut iii. ɔbá mat ɔ̀bá river iv. ɔhò wind ɔho firewood The data presents instances of tonal contrast and near minimal pairs in the language. In each set, the tonal variation differentiates the meanings of words: high tone-mid tone in "óro" (ear) contrasting with mid-falling tone in "orô" (knee); high-low tone in "ɛ́mɛ̀" (breast) differing from high-high tone in "ɛ́mɛ́" (kolanut); mid-high tone in "ɔbá" (mat) contrasting with low-high tone in "ɔ̀bá" (river); and mid-high tone in "ɔhò" (wind) distinct from mid-mid tone in "ɔho" (firewood). 4.6 VOWEL MODIFICATION IN IGEDE LANGUAGE Vowel modification is a common phenomenon in morphology, it is a morphological process that deals with substitution of one quality for another or a particular vowel quality for one or more others. In Igede language vowel modification highlights the distinction between two types of vowel harmony in the Igede language: rounding harmony and height harmony. Rounding harmony requires the vowels in a word to be either rounded or unrounded, while height harmony requires the vowels in a word to be either high or low. The below data provide examples of this phenomena. i. ɔɲa woman aɲa women ii. ɔlɛ́n man alɛ́n men iii. ɛlɛ́lɛ tongue alɛ́lɛ tongues iv. ɛfùrù Belly afùrù bellies v. ùɡbà skin ɛ̀ɡbà skins Considering these above examples in the Igede language, vowel harmony is a phonological process that marks the distinction between singular and plural forms. The singular forms have a specific vowel quality either / ɔ, ɛ, or u/ in harmony with the root vowel, while the plural forms substitute the vowel to maintain harmony in terms of roundness and vowel height.However, an exception to this rule is /ɛ/, which can appear in both the singular and the plural forms without affecting the vowel harmony pattern in the Igede language. This consistent application of vowel harmony helps to distinguish between singular and plural nouns in the Igede language. 4.7 BORROWING IN IGEDE LANGUAGE Borrowing is a morphological process, involves incorporating words from one language into another. These borrowed lexemes often undergo adaptation to fit phonological of the target language. Igede SOURCE meaning i. ìbaìbú Englishbible ii. ìkapìntà English carpenter iii. ìɡómìnàEnglishgovernor iv. ìrédiòEnglish radio v. ìtíivìEnglish television vi. ìraịsịEnglish Rice vii. ìbɔ́ɔ̀dùEnglish board The data exemplifies an internal mechanism in the Igede language through which borrowed words from English undergo adaptation. When incorporating foreign words, Igede adds an initial vowel to achieve linguistic conformity. This internal mechanism serves to facilitate pronunciation and phonological alignment, making the borrowed words harmonize better with the native phonological patterns of Igede. This process reflects the language's tendency to maintain its phonotactic structure while integrating non-native lexical elements. 4.8 COMPOUNDING IN IGEDE LANGUAGE Compounding is a word formation process which is made up of at least two words which can occur independently as a single word and make meaning. There are two types of compounding endocentric compound and exocentric compound. Endocentriccompound is a type of compound in which one word functionsas head and the other functions as its modifier, while exocentric compound is a type of compound that lacks a head. Igede language exhibit exocentric compound. Examples of exocentric compound are given below. i. ohu íne=ohuíne Twenty multiple fourEighty’ ii. ohu éró = ohuéró Twenty multiple fiveOne hundred iii. ohu iwo=òhùiwo Twenty multiple tenTwo hundred iv. adɛ́dá ɔ̀pjɛhɛ́=adɛ́dɔ̀pjɛhɛ́ father grand grandfather v. adɛ́dá ɛ́fá=adɛ́dɛ́fá father in law father in law vi. ɔji ɔlɛ́ŋ̀=ɔjiɔlɛ́ŋ̀ child male son vii. ɔji ɔláŋ̀=ɔjiɔláŋ̀ child female daughter The given data showcases variation in compounding in Igede language and vowel elision in Igede language. The variation lies in the formation of compound numbers like "ohuíne" (eighty), "ohuéró" (one hundred), and "òhùiwo" (two hundred), where the base number "ohu" combines with different multiples to create larger number and also in formation of gender-specific terms like "ɔjiɔlɛ́ŋ̀" (son) and "ɔjiɔláŋ̀" (daughter) which no vowel was elide. Additionally, vowel elision occurs in words like "adɛ́dɔ̀pjɛhɛ́" (grandfather) and "adɛ́dɛ́fá" (father-in-law), where the vowels elide during morpheme attachment, demonstrating phonological processes in Igede. 4.9 DISCUSSION The study of morphological processes in Igede language presents a unique opportunity to delve into the intricacies of language structure and how it reflects the cultural and historical influences on the language. However, as with any research, there are inherent limitations that need to be acknowledged and discussed. Data Availability and Standardization: The lack of readily available, comprehensive data on Igede language poses a significant challenge. This limitation could potentially impact the accuracy and scope of your analysis. Furthermore, the absence of a standardized orthography might introduce inconsistencies in data representation, leading to difficulties in comparing and analyzing different sources. Access to Native Speakers: The ability to interact with native speakers of Igede language is crucial for gathering accurate data and understanding the nuances of the language. However, logistical challenges or limited access to communities could hinder this aspect of your research. Subjectivity and Interpretation: Morphological analysis often involves subjective interpretation, and different linguists might arrive at different conclusions about the same data. This inherent subjectivity needs to be acknowledged and discussed, highlighting the potential for alternative perspectives and interpretations. Scope and Focus: The scope of your research will inevitably be influenced by factors such as time constraints, resources, and the specific focus of your study. It's important to clearly define the boundaries of your research and acknowledge that it might not encompass all aspects of morphological processes in Igede language. Future Research: Despite the limitations, your research can contribute valuable insights into the morphological structure of Igede language. Further research can build upon your findings by addressing the limitations and expanding the scope of investigation. For example, future research could focus on developing a standardized orthography, creating a comprehensive corpus of Igede language data, or conducting more in-depth analyses of specific morphological processes. By acknowledging the limitations and discussing the potential for future research, your study can contribute to a greater understanding of the Igede language and its unique linguistic features. 4.10 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY During the course of this research on Igede morphology, several challenges were encountered, which impacted the scope and depth of the study. These limitations include: 1. Limited Availability of Native Speakers – Since Igede is a minority language, finding fluent speakers who could provide detailed explanations of morphological structures was difficult. The study relied on consultations with only a few speakers, which may not fully represent all dialectal variations. 2. Scarcity of Written Materials – There are very few published linguistic works on Igede, making it challenging to cross-reference findings with existing research. Most of the available resources were general overviews rather than in-depth morphological analyses. 3. Dependence on Online Research – Due to the lack of comprehensive books and academic papers on Igede, much of the research depended on online sources, which were sometimes limited in depth and reliability. 4. Time Constraints – Conducting independent research while managing other academic responsibilities made it difficult to explore certain aspects of Igede morphology in greater detail. More time would have allowed for a broader and more thorough analysis. 5. Challenges in Data Collection – Some Igede speakers struggled to explain morphological concepts explicitly, as they are native speakers but not trained linguists. This required extra effort in analyzing and interpreting their responses. 6. Tone Analysis Difficulties – Since Igede is a tonal language, identifying and analyzing tonal variations in morphology was challenging without advanced phonetic tools or a trained linguist’s guidance. The study relied on careful listening and speaker intuition, which may have limitations in accuracy. Despite these challenges, every effort was made to ensure that the data collected was accurate, reliable, and relevant to the study.   CHAPTER FIVE CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 5.1 SUMMARY The purpose of this research is to explore the morphological analysis of Igede language. The study is divided into five chapters. Chapter one introduces the work, discusses the historical background of Igede speakers, the genetic classification of Igede language, linguistic information, research method, and the scope of the study. Chapter two provides a review of previous studies. Chapter three of the research explores the internal structure of Igede words, focusing on different types of morphemes and their combination to form words. The study delves into the morphology of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, prepositions, and conjunctions in the Igede language. The chapter highlights the syllable structure of nouns in Igede. Furthermore, it discusses the morphology of verbs, both transitive and intransitive, and provides examples of verb patterns in Igede. The morphology of adjectives and pronouns is explored, along with possessive pronouns and interrogative pronouns. The chapter also covers prepositions and conjunctions in Igede and concludes with the formation of numerals, demonstrating the language's numbering system through addition and multiplication operations. Chapter four focused on the morphological processes observed in the language, including affixation (prefixation, suffixation, interfixation, and suprafixation), vowel modification, reduplication, and borrowing. Finally, chapter five serves as the concluding chapter of this work, presenting a summary and conclusion 5.2 CONCLUSION The primary objective of this research is to describe the morphological processes involved in word formation within Igede language. The study revealed various word classes, such as nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, conjunctions, prepositions, and numerals, internal structures. Additionally, affixation plays a significant role in the language, with prefixation, suffixation, interfixation, and suprafixation being prevalent. Moreover, vowel modification, reduplication, and borrowing were identified as additional morphological processes in Igede language. 5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Further Research on Igede Morphology : More in-depth studies should be conducted on specific aspects of Igede morphology, such as verb inflection, derivational processes, and noun classification. Future research should involve a larger number of native speakers to provide a broader linguistic perspective. This way igede morphology will begin to gain recognition in certain places. 2. Documentation and Preservation of Igede Language: Linguists and language researchers should work on creating detailed grammatical descriptions, dictionaries, and textbooks for Igede. The Igede language should be documented through written materials, audio recordings, and digital resources to ensure its preservation. This way Igede won’t be a language that will be near extinction anytime soon. 3. Phonological and Tonal Studies: Further research should focus on how tone affects morphology in Igede, as tone plays a crucial role in distinguishing meaning.Advanced phonetic analysis tools should be used to properly document tonal variations and their effects on word formation. 4. Comparative Linguistic Studies : Comparative research should be conducted between Igede and other related Benue-Congo languages to understand similarities and differences in their morphological structures. This can help establish the historical development of Igede morphology and its place within the larger language family. 5. Educational and Community Engagement : Schools in Igede-speaking communities should introduce Igede language studies to encourage literacy and linguistic awareness. Language workshops and cultural programs should be organized to promote the use and understanding of Igede among younger generations. 6. Development of Standardized Orthography :A standardized writing system should be developed and widely adopted to ensure consistency in the representation of Igede words and morphological structures. This way the level of literacy becomes high and also we get to have unified speakers since there is one writing style, this way confusion is also avoided and Igede will gain prestige .   5.4 REFRENCES Abiodun, M. A. (1989) The Class system of Igede Nouns Journal of West African Languages volume XIX. Page 51-56. Abiodun, M. A. (1991) Vowel Harmony in Igede. Studies in African Linguistics volume 22. Page 157 – 169. Armstrong, R. G. (1983) The Idomiod language of the Benue and Cross River valleys: Journal of west African Languages Volume XIII. Page 91-149. Ashade, D. (1987). A' - One English. Ashedell Investment Press. Bergman, R. (1971) Vowel Sandhi and Word Division in Igede: Journal of West African Languages. Volume VIII. Page 13-25 Blench, R. & Williamson, K. (2000). Niger-Congo. In Heine, B. & Nurse, D. (eds.) Africa Languages: an introduction.Cambridge: Cambridge University press. Ethnologue. (2016). In Ethnologue. Retrieved August 16, 2023, from https://www.ethnologue.com/subgroup/47/. Igede people. (2023). In Wikipedia. Retrieved August 16, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igede_people. Ipadeola, F., & Ojo, M. (2000). Understanding English Language. Greenhouse Publisher Inc. Ladefofeged, P. & Johnson, K. (2011). A Course in Phonetics.Canada. Wadsworth Language Learning. Pike, K.L. (1948). Tone languages. Ann Arbor; University of Michigan Press. Sapir, E. (1921). Language. Nueva York and London: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Welmers. (1959). Structure of African languages. University of California press Yusuf, O. (1997). Transformational Generative Grammar, AnIntroduction. Sebiotimo publication. Ijebu Ode Vowel Harmony in Igede” by Michael A. Abiodun This study examines the vowel harmony system in Igede, highlighting how vowels are categorized into harmonic sets based on pharyngeal constriction. “The Class System of Igede Nouns” by Michael A. Abiodun This paper explores the noun class system in Igede, providing insights into how nouns are categorized and how this classification affects agreement patterns within the language. David Elugbe . Comparative Edoid : Phonolgy and Lexicon (1989) Andrew Philips Adeaga . Kola Nut as a Symbol of Welcome Among the Igede of Benue State (2016) Akintoye Oluwole Samuel . Comparative Analysis of Focus Construction in Igede Language and Some Selected Dialects of Yoruba: Ondo and Ikale” (2020) Babatunde Abdullahi https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375690706_Tense_and_aspect_in_Igede_and_Ebira?utm_ Babalola Sehinde Michael . Morpho-Syntactic Features of English and Igede Noun and Verb Phrases” (2024) https://ijrpr.com/uploads/V5ISSUE12/IJRPR36317.pdf?utm_ APPENDIX RESEARCH INTERVIEW DEAR RESPONDENT, I am Augustine Benita ,A 400 level student of the Department of linguistics and languages at Federal university of oye-ekiti,conducting research on the topic “ASPECTS OF IGEDE MORPHOLOGY “. Your participation in this study is invaluable.please be rest assured that your responses will be kept confidential.Thank you for your cooperation The following questions were used to elicit data from native speakers of the Igede language for the purpose of analyzing its morphological structure: 1. What are the common prefixes and suffixes used in Igede words? 2. Can you provide examples of how nouns are formed or modified in Igede? 3. How does Igede mark tense, aspect, and mood in verbs? 4. Are there any affixes used to indicate negation in Igede? 5. What morphological processes (e.g., reduplication, compounding) are common in Igede? 6. How does Igede indicate plurality in nouns? 7. Are there any changes in word form when a word is used in different contexts or sentences? 8. How are new words or borrowed words adapted morphologically into Igede? 9. Do you notice any regional variations in the way words are formed or spoken in Igede? 10. Can you give examples of how verbs change form to show agreement with the subject or object `