ABSTRACT
This research conducts a thorough comparative analysis of the Ibibio and Annang dialects, which are essential components of the dialect cluster in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. Inspired by the researcher's immersion in the cultures of both dialects, the study seeks to clarify their mutual intelligibility and degree of linguistic similarity. Using the framework of comparative linguistics, the study goes into the genetic, typological, and areal classifications of languages, emphasizing their significance to the Ibibio and Annang dialects. The goals of the study encompass various aspects of linguistic comparison, including an investigation of their sound systems, vocabulary characteristics, typological attributes, and ancestral language roots. Utilizing qualitative data gathering techniques, primary data is collected from individuals aged 40-45, employing an Ibadan word list consisting of 400 words and recorded speech. This primary data is supplemented by secondary information from academic literature and online sources. Analysis of the gathered data reveals notable similarities in the consonant systems of Ibibio and Annang, particularly in the presence of double articulated sounds like /kp/. However, differences arise, such as the varying frequency of the voiceless labiovelar plosive /kp/, which is more common in Ibibio compared to Annang. Moreover, certain phonemes, such as the voiced labiovelar plosive /gb/, are infrequent in both dialects. Additionally, discrepancies in the occurrence of sounds like /v/, /z/, and /g/ further distinguish the two dialects. Despite these distinctions, both dialects share similar vowel sounds and employ registered tone patterns, albeit with some variations. Statistical analysis of lexical similarity indicates a substantial overlap, with a calculated value of 76%. However, according to Swadesh's criteria, this falls below the threshold for mutual understandability, suggesting that while Ibibio and Annang exhibit linguistic similarities, they remain distinct languages.
