ABSTRACT
This work is a comparative study. It is carriedout at the level of the lexicon of the proposed five varieties of Enuani dialects, with the aim of identifying the differences and similarities. To achieve this, the lexico-statistics method of analyses was employed, with the use of three level standard of analysis, comparing the degrees of complete cognates, partial cognates, and non-cognates, using the summer instituted of linguistic comparative African Wordlist (SILCAWL), numbers 1-200 which comprises of body parts, processes, functions, movement, states and conditions.
This work consists of five chapters. Which strats from introducing the language of study “comparative lexicology of Enuani varieties” where issues like historical, linguistic and geographical background of Enuani language and people addressed. And also the scope, aims of the study and method of data collection. The second phase deals with literature review where relevant literatures to the study were discussed. The third is about theoretical frame work lexicostatistics here brief history about the framework was discussed. It founder(s), the application of the framework and how the lexicostatistics will be applied in this current study. The fourth which is data analyses. Here, the frame work lexicostatistics and the working were shown. The fifth is where the conclusion and the finding of this study is. Here, it was concluded that there is high rate of mutual intelligibility which shows that the level of mutual intelligibility amongst Enuani speaker from the proposed varieties which all except Obomkpa and Ubulu-uku scored about 60% are level of mutual intelligibility amongst these varieties are still very high. This finding would yield fruitful research, if elaborated upon, to create more knowledge on the linguistic status of Enuani dialects.
