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 Ebira Language. 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
Ebira Language 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
2.5.1 Some Nigerian Languages‟ Colour Terms- -55
2.6 Linguistic Relativity and the Colour Terminology Debate- -57
2.6.1
Universalists View- - -
- - - -58
2.6.1.1
Additional Arguments- - - -
- - -
- -60
2.6.1.2
Research before Berline and Kay (1969) Study- -
- -
- -61
2.6.2
Relativists View- - -
- - - - -
- -62
2.7
Brief Overview of the Ebira People-
- - - - - - -65
2.7.1
The Ebira Language- - - -
- - - - - -65
2.7.2
Culture: Family Life and Social System-
- -
- - - -67
2.8
Authorial Review- - -
- - - - -
- -69
2.9
Theoretical Framework- - -
- - - - - -80
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
3.1
Preamble- - - - -
- - - - - -83
3.2
Research Design- - -
- - - - -
- -83
3.3
Source of Data Collection- - -
- - - - - -83
3.4
Instruments for Data Collection- - -
- - -
- -84
3.5
Method for Data Collection- - - -
- - -
- -84
3.6
Method of Data Analysis- - -
- - - - - -85
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION,
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
4.1
Preamble- - - - -
- - - - - -86
4.2
Data Presentation and Analysis- - -
- - -
- -86
4.2.1 Ebira Basic Colour Terms- - -
-86
4.3
Findings of the Study- - - -
- - -96
4.4
Discussion of Findings- - -
- - -96
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
5.1
Preamble- - - - -
- - - - - -98
5.2
Summary- - - - -
- - - - - -98
5.3
Conclusion- - - - -
- - - - - -100
5.4
Contribution to Knowledge- - - -
- - -
- -102
5.5
Recommendations for Further Study- -
- - - - - -103
References- - - - -
- - - - -
- -104
APPENDIX- - - - - -
- - - - - -110
Table 2.7.1: Shows Ebira consonants
along with their orthographic symbol- -67
Table
4.2.1: Showing the Ebira Colours Terms- -
- - - -87
Table 4.2.2:
Showing the Componential Features of Ebira Colours Terms- - -
-88
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
In studying language, linguists use various terms such as
semantics, syntax, stylistics, phonology, and so on, to investigate the
underlying nature of language. Semantics is a subfield of linguistics and is
concerned with meaning in language. It is the study of meaning communicated
through language. (Yule 1996:114) defines semantics as “The study of the
meaning of words, phrases, and sentences”. He also adds that in semantic
analysis, there is always an attempt to focus on what the words conventionally
mean rather than on what the speakers want the words to mean on a particular
occasion. Also, his definition explicates concepts, which is the major focus of
this study; colour terminology of Ebira language.
Kinship and colour terminology has become a centre stage of
study by anthropologists, sociolinguists and linguists in recent decades,
because, the arguments are that, there are universal differences. Throughout
the start of 19th and 20th century, considerable research has been made in
their semantic analysis and classification of particularly kinship
terminologies and “concepts” as it is used universally different (Aliyu, 2016).
Hence, the componential analysis of colour terminology of the Ebira ethnic
group, whose colours are assumed and identified with multiple meanings;
conventionally and contextually or extended.
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. Without meaning, language is senseless.
So, every aspect of language needs to be meaningful for it to be used as a
means of communication. Linguistic meaning can be analyzed based on denotation
and connotation. Denotative meaning is a literal or metaphorical meaning of a word
or sentence. For example; the use of the word needle in an expression or sentence can mean something; sharp ‗pin‘, steel. Connotative meaning,
on the other hand, refers to the meaning of an expression in deep form, moving
from its surface form of meaning. For example; needle in another expression or sentence could mean anything that; hurts or pains.
Lyons (1968) states that no one has been able to outline a
satisfactory and comprehensive theory of meaning.This gave birth to Pragmatics,
although, this study is not on the contextual study of meaning, and does not
imply that no progress is made to the study of theoretical meaning. Greenberg
et al (1966) advocate that, amid infinite diversities, all languages are as it
were, cut from the same pattern. This means that the bottom, all languages are
essentially alike in a way, but different in many other ways in expressing the
meaning of terms. For example, colour and kinship terms are two areas of study
that has been reviewed in semantic universalists as case studies in universal
semantics. They have argued substantially on the views that there are universal
in semantics and differently, as a result, colours in ethnic have differences
culturally.
Componential Analysis (CA henceforth) on the other hand, is
given by advocates of universal semantics as a method for discussing meaning in
the cultural differences of colour and kinship terms. According to the
universalists view, CA can be applied in the analysis of the meaning of kinship
terms as well as other concepts of various languages (colours; as for this
study is concerned). This study is a Componential Analysis of Colour terms,
which comprises the meaning in all languages. There is the need to understand
the meaning in relations involved in semantic studies, where sense and
reference are essential and parts of the descriptive aspects of semantic
studies. Other aspects are social expressive and do not have clear-cut
demarcation, rather, they have to do with how humans relate terms and concepts
to other things. How humans use words to mean different things, different
emotive meanings in different societies or cultures of ethnic groups; and how
different people react differently to certain words or linguistics items. Since
language is often concerned with a variety of social relations and contextual,
humans choose to be expressive depending on the context, cultural beliefs and
social relationship with interlocutors; thus, the componential study of colour
terms in Ebira language.
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem
The literature on color terms in the English language is
extensively represented and may not require any further study. After the
publication of Berlin and Kay‟s (1969) seminal study on Basic Color Terms
(BCT), reviews have shown that more than 3000 works have been written that have
color terms as their major focus, particularly of English linguistics, and
other Western languages of the world or the three major languages in Nigeria,
where the minority languages are ignored (Ebira language). However, most of
these studies are essentially context-free studies with an anthropological
perspective. Of the few linguistic studies available, many rely on
introspection as their sources. Hence, the componential analysis of the colour
terminology of Ebira language, to offer a more empirical approach and a
broadened scope encompassing languages other than English. Its main aim is the
semantic evaluation of the language behaviour of color terms employing a
componential analysis of language in its conventional and contextual use,
namely in the Ebira language. In particular, conducting an empirical analysis
of such parameters as an association, colligation, semantic preference and
semantic prosody (Sinclair, 2003), we will attempt to demonstrate the strong
correlation between colour terminologies and the Ebira language and culture.
Nigeria is a country with over five hundred (500) languages
(Collin, 2010). The native speakers of these languages constitute different
tribes and traditions that are unique from another. The use of colour for
various cultural needs is common among the tribes. However, there exists the
presence of colours in every Nigerian community. There are various
interpretations of colours among the people living in different communities.
For instance, in the Yoruba language, white colour is known as ‗fun fun‘which represents purity. White
is usually won by people who are not expected to participate in or do evil. In
Hausa, Sakkwantanci dialect, the white colour known as „hwari‟ is used to
depict optimism and happiness on one hand and blemish or weakness on the other
hand. For example, hwarin jinni (white blood) means „popularity‟, hwarin ciki
(white stomach) means „happiness‟, and hwarin komo (white un-matured calabash)
means „weak person‟. The white colour could also mean different things in other
languages within the country. This shows that there is a lack of uniformity in
colour expression and interpretation across cultures. This research, therefore,
intends to look at the unique qualities of colour terms in Ebira language. More
so, some colours in Ebira have cultural, psychological, and semantic relevance
which is unknown to many Ebira people. There is a need to make the people aware
of this aspect of the language. Zarruk (1978:67) argues that; Colours are sometimes used in Idioms by
people without justification to their influence on individuals‘ cognition.
For example, in the Ebira expression ―ozo
vovwoovu do Ozo ve vi‖ (a person is white before he is red) white colour
depicts suffering/struggle in the Ebira language and then red symbolize
success/achievement. This indicates that some colours in Ebira have a semantic
value which is worth investigating. These are what prompted the researcher to
look into the issues surrounding the colours that exist in Ebira community.
1.3 Research Questions
The following research questions are
generated as guide to this study:
i. What are the basic colour terminologies of Ebira Language?
ii. What are the componential features, connotative and denotative
meanings of the colour terms in Ebira language? iii. How does the
componential meaning of the colour terms in Ebira language reflect the cultural
belief of the people? iv. To what extent does Ebira Language
shares conceptual meaning of colour terms with other languages such as Yoruba?
1.4 Aim and Objectives
The aim of this study is a
componential analysisof the Colour Terms in Ebira Language. The following
objectives are to:
i. identify the basic colour terminologies of Ebira Language; ii. describe
the componential features, connotative and denotative meanings of colour terms
in Ebira;
iii. describe the componential meaning of the colour terms in Ebira
language as it reflects the cultural belief of the people; iv. highlight
the extent Ebira Language shares conceptual meaning of colour terms with other
languages such as Yoruba.
1.5 Scope and Delimitation of the Study
This study investigates the meaning of colour terms in
Ebira language. The research focuses oncolour symbolism and interpretations to
arrive at the meaning of colour terms as they exist in the language.The entire
Ebira speaking community is large and it is almost impossible to investigate
the nature of colour in all communities, hence, the study focuses on colour
terms used in Ebira language, spoken in Okene town which is situated in Kogi
State. This is because Okene town is the most popular town and centre of
administrative affairs. It is also a place where most communal festivities are
carried out such as, festivals, carnivals among others.
1.6 Significance of the Study
Nigeria as a country harbours many
languages in addition to English, Arabic and Pidgin. The Nigerian language
space contains a variety of microcultures and many traditional ethnolinguistic
groups. The major languages in Nigeria are; Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. Minor
languages in the country include; Ebira, Edo, Efik, e.t.c. Some of these minority
languages are endangered. In
2014, Professor Chinyere Ohiri-Aniche, the president of
Linguistic Association of Nigeria (LAN) said more than 400 Nigerian indigenous
languages are endangered. Ebira language is not yet endangered but, it is not
free from extinction as a minority language in the country. However, this study
intends to create a form of recognition for the language as a gradual step to
save it from future extinction. The knowledge of many Ebira speakers on the
meaning of colour terms in the language is relatively poor. This research
intends to increase their knowledge in this field.
Buyers has the right to create
dispute within seven (7) days of purchase for 100% refund request when
you experience issue with the file received.
Dispute can only be created when
you receive a corrupt file, a wrong file or irregularities in the table of
contents and content of the file you received.
ProjectShelve.com shall either
provide the appropriate file within 48hrs or
send refund excluding your bank transaction charges. Term and
Conditions are applied.
Buyers are expected to confirm
that the material you are paying for is available on our website
ProjectShelve.com and you have selected the right material, you have also gone
through the preliminary pages and it interests you before payment. DO NOT MAKE
BANK PAYMENT IF YOUR TOPIC IS NOT ON THE WEBSITE.
In case of payment for a
material not available on ProjectShelve.com, the management of
ProjectShelve.com has the right to keep your money until you send a topic that
is available on our website within 48 hours.
You cannot change topic after
receiving material of the topic you ordered and paid for.
Login To Comment