a sociolignustic: analysis of address terms in the EHALUMONA nsukka community, enugu state
ABSTRACT
This study investigation Address terms and how it is utilized in an open space. How, they serve as an introductory element in most conversational contexts, offering insights into the identities of the participants. This investigation concentrates on examining the patterns and variations of address terms within the Ehalumona Nsukka community, a linguistic minority residing in certain regions of Enugu State. The primary objectives of this study are to explore the diverse types of address terms used in the Ehalumona Nsukka community and to understand the factors that influence the selection of specific address terms in various social contexts. The research employs a descriptive survey research design within a qualitative research framework. Data collection involves a combination of primary and secondary sources. To accomplish the research goals, the study adopts the Speech Act theory as its theoretical foundation. Within the Ehalumona Nsukka language, the study presents and discusses various categories of address terms, such as those related to kinship, personal names, titles, and expressions of affection. The main focus of this investigation lies in elucidating how these address terms fulfill distinct functions in communication and contribute to the preservation of the social fabric within the community. It's important to note that there is limited existing literature on this dialect, making this research a pioneering effort in this field.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title page- - - - - - - - i
Declaration- - - - - - - - ii
Approval page- - - - - - - iii
Dedication- - - - - - - - iv
Acknowledgments- - - - - - - v
Table of Contents- - - - - - - vi
Abstract - - - - - - -
CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND OF STUDY
1.0 Introduction- - - - - - - 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem- - - - - 2
1.3 Research Questions- - - - - - 3
1.4 Purpose of Study- - - - - - 3
1.6 Significance of the Study- - - - - 4
1.7 Methodology- - - - - - - 4
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELEVANT LITERATURE
2.0 Introduction- - - - - - - 6
2.1 Theoretical Framework: Speech Act Theory - - 6
2.2 Conceptual Review- - - - - - 8
2.3 Solidarity and Politeness- - - - - 14
2.4 Kinds of Address Terms- - - - - 15
2.5 Social Factors Influencing Choice of Address Terms in
Ehalumona Nsukka Community- - - - 17
2.6 Relevance of Theory- - - - - - 18
2.7 Previous Studies- - - - - - 18
2.8 Present Study- - - - - - - 22
CHAPTER THREE: DATA PRESENTATION
3.0 Introduction- - - - - - - 24
3.1 Data Presentation- - - - - - 24
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS
4.0 Introduction- - - - - - - 30
4.1 Personal Names- - - - - - 30
4.2 Address Terms for Titles- - - - - 30
4.3 Address Terms for Occupations- - - - 31
4.4 Address Term for Intimacy/Love- - - - 31
4.5 Address Terms for Kinship- - - - - 32
4.6 Address Terms for Mockery- - - - - 32
4.7 Address Terms for Praises- - - - - 32
CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS, SUMMARY , CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.0 Introduction- - - - - - - 35
5.1 Findings- - - - - - - 35
5.2 Summary- - - - - - - 35
5.3 Conclusion- - - - - - - 36
5.4 Recommendations- - - - - - 37
References- - - - - - - 39
CHAPTER ONE
STUDY BACKGROUND
1.0 Introduction
The Nsukka Community is a predominantly Igbo-speaking community located in West Africa, specifically in Southeastern Nigeria, particularly in the Enugu State. The primary language spoken in Nsukka is a dialect of the Igbo language. The Igbo language is a pluricentric language, spoken by an estimated 42-44 million people across various regions, including Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, it has contributed significantly to the Jamaican Patois vocabulary. This dialect belongs to the Niger-Congo language family and is a sub-group of Kwa.
Language serves as a vital means of communication in our daily lives, allowing us to convey our thoughts and emotions. Effective communication is crucial for building and strengthening relationships, requiring an understanding of each other's desires, thoughts, and feelings. The ability to initiate conversations in a specific language and maintain social relationships is essential in society.
In the Nsukka community, address terms play a significant role in communication. Both males and females refer to each other as "Wanne." Couples often give pet names to each other, such as "Obim" and "Nkem." In-laws are referred to as "Ogom," uncles as "De," and aunties as "Dâda." Newlywed wives are called "Wunyem," and even twins are given address terms, referred to as "ejima."
Wardhaugh (2006:268) points out that there are various ways in which individuals address each other, including the use of titles, first names, last names, and family relationship terms. Linguistic design encompasses the structuring of human language into meaningful units (morphemes), rules for word formation (morphology), discrete non-meaningful units (phonemes), and their corresponding sounds (phonology). This linguistic design occurs at three levels: societal, group, and individual levels. At the societal level, it involves language and its speakers, while at the group level, it is influenced by factors such as age, gender, occupation, and social status. At the individual level, communication is used to convey an individual's mood, tone, appearance, and characteristics.
In Nsukka culture, there are no specific ways to address siblings, and they are typically called by their names or referred to as "Brother" or "Sister" to express respect and affection for them.
1.1 "Language and the Nsukka Community"
The Nsukka Community, located in Southeastern Nigeria, is primarily an Igbo-speaking community in West Africa, with its main presence in the Enugu State of Nigeria. Within Nsukka, the language spoken is a distinct dialect of the Igbo language. This community, situated within the Enugu State, is renowned for its industrious nature, largely attributed to its predominant occupation, which is farming. Nsukka also boasts a limited number of local markets where residents gather for buying and selling goods, attracting people from neighboring communities as well. According to the 2006 population census in Nigeria, the Nsukka community is home to a population exceeding 100,000 individuals.
1.2 Problem Statement
Given the challenges outlined in the problem statement, the following objectives are delineated:
To conduct a comprehensive examination and classification of various addressing terms in the Nsukka region.
The Nsukka dialect has remained inadequately explored, necessitating this study to address this deficiency.
With a limited body of literature available on the Nsukka dialect due to its underrepresentation, this research aims to conduct a linguistic survey to preserve and document the dialect's vitality.
1.3 Research Queries
What types of addressing terms are in use within the Nsukka community?
What are the key attributes of addressing terms within the Nsukka society?
What factors influence the selection of addressing terms in specific public contexts?
1.4 Study Purpose
The aim of conducting a sociolinguistic analysis on address terms within the Nsukka community is to assess its significance in relation to individual characteristics and societal values. The objective is to ensure effective communication among community members. To achieve this, it is essential to comprehend the dynamics of address terms and how they convey our thoughts, emotions, and desires. Additionally, it is crucial to discern the appropriate context for using these address terms. This study facilitates a deeper understanding for both speakers and users of the language, enabling them to determine when and how to employ address terms. Furthermore, the research suggests that social factors such as age, gender, social status, and occupation influence the choice of address terms in the Nsukka community.
1.5 Study Objectives
This study aims to identify the various forms of address terms used in Nsukka.
It seeks to explore the components of address terms utilized in Nsukka.
The study also investigates the factors that influence the selection of address terms in specific social contexts.
1.6 Study Significance
The present study holds significance in several aspects. Its findings could contribute to the specialized knowledge within the field of linguistics. Furthermore, it sheds light on the use of address terms in various contexts, demonstrating their importance in effective communication. Address terms are crucial in conveying respect among individuals in Nsukka society. Sociolinguists have shown interest in explaining why people employ different address terms in different situations. In informal settings, the choice of address terms can signify power differentials, with some individuals displaying more authority than others. For example, the use of last names in Nsukka Society can reveal power imbalances among speakers. Address terms can also indicate respect and deference to one another, such as the use of titles and last names, which reflects the level of formality and power dynamics among participants.
1.7 Methodology
This section focuses on the data collection and analysis methods employed in this study, including the sources of data, research design, data collection instruments, data collection procedures, and data analysis tools and techniques.
1.7.1 Data Collection Method
This study strictly adopts a qualitative approach. Data were collected from diverse sources, both primary and secondary, to ensure a comprehensive dataset for the research. Primary data were directly obtained from native speakers of the language, involving two respondents, including a community elder and a chief. Secondary data were gathered from various written sources, including books, journals, and online resources. The data used in this study were derived from recorded live events, utilizing an Android phone (iPhone) due to its effective recording capabilities, clear audio quality, and ample battery life.
1.7.2 Data Analysis Method
The study employed a descriptive research method within the qualitative research design. It focused on symbolic discourse analysis, encompassing the examination of texts and conversations. The 'Speech Act Theory' was applied for data analysis, as it pertains to the analysis of human speech in relation to address forms (Ting-Toomey, 1984).
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