Analysis of a Phonological Variation in Oraukwu Dialect of Igbo: A Case of the Phoneme /l/ for /r/
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Date
2005-05
Authors
Okafor, E. E.
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Publisher
Faculty of Arts. University of Lagos
Abstract
This paper is an analysis of the use of the phoneme IV for III in Oraukwu dialect of Igbo. It takes into cognizance the phonetic - phonological variability of ordinary speech. Oraukwu speakers virtually do not use the phoneme /l/ in their speech. Rather, the use phoneme I I where the phoneme /r/ should occur. For instance, /Oraukwu/ is spelt /Oraukwu/ but it is called /Olaukwu/ by Oraukwu community. Quite important to this work is the fact that the researcher interacted with a number of people that make up the various villages in Oraukwu. Among the people interviewed are the older living generation ranges from age 51-80, who have lived a greater proportion of their lives in Oraukwu, and therefore have less formal education. They also have not as heavily influenced by cross-linguistic/cultural contacts and have not worked in highly hierarchical organisation. On the other hand. she interviewed lite younger living generation. ranges from age 20- 50, who have lived a lesser proportion of' their lives in Oraukwu, precisely from childhood to adolescent. They have more formal education both in Oraukwu and in cities. They also have more cross-linguistic/cultural contact, and are working in highly formal
hierarchical organization. To determine the use of the phoneme /l/ for /r/ in Oraukwu community, oral interview was administered to them. It was discovered that Oraukwu speakers use the phoneme /l/ for /r/ in their speech. but in writing they use the phoneme /r/. The paper however. adduces all analytical explanation based on. phonetic-phonological reasons for the occurrence of both phenomena. The work starts with the introduction: the Igbo language, a brief history of Oraukwu dialect; and the concept of phonology. It examines the phonemes /l/ and /r/ as phonetic and phonological segments, as well as their feature matrixes. It finally analyses data collected [rom Oraukwu speakers and draws the logical conclusion.
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Keywords
Phonological variation , Oraukwu dialect , Phoneme , Igbo
Citation
Okafor, E. E. (2005), Analysis of a Phonological Variation in Oraukwu Dialect of Igbo: A Case of the Phoneme /l/ for /r/. Lagos Notes and Records. A Journal of the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos