ABSTRACT
This research analysis a code of communication, with focus on Àzúófú in Nomeh speech community Enugu State.
In chapter one, The work looks at nature of Àzúófú, it's location and also bringing to our knowledge of Àzúófú as a code used only for secret activities.
In chapter two, Ethnography of communication, which was the model used for analyzing the research is discussed in full. Other related work of this kind that has been done in several countries were analyzed using the theoretical framework.
In chapter three, the method of data collection and the design used for this work discussed. The research is carried out through interview of some members of the speech community. In chapter four, how Àzúófú is learnt, the rules of interaction and interpretation of the code is discussed. The data collected is properly analyzed with the different forms of the code and also the method of encoding and decoding the code will be analyzed. Chapter five, the findings reveal that the primary communicative function of Àzúófú is secrecy just like every other code. From our findings, we also see that codes of this nature face endangerment as a result of factors like poor documentations an lackadaisical attitude by so many members of the speech community towards it's learning as a result of it's constant change.
It is recommended that research on this code should be carried out in other fields like morphology an phonology to examine other processes though which this code is also realized. Necessary support should be given to this code and other code of this nature by the government and Linguists to open up avenues for foreign investors. If these recommendations are carried out, Àzúófú will rise to the level of Nushu in China which attracted a grant of $209, 000 from Ford Foundation and investors from Hong Kong.
