A TYPOLOGY OF COMPLEX CLAUSES IN IGBO LANGUAGE

ABSTRACT

The study of complex clauses provides information about different types of clauses in Igbo. Previous research on the Igbo language relied heavily on the combined approach to the analysis of clause structure and clausal domains. However, this method lacked comprehensive details about types of complex clauses. This study, therefore, investigated and explored the typology of complex clauses in Igbo. The theoretical framework adopted for the study is Functional-Typological Framework, which aims to understand the functions of linguistic elements and structures within a language while also considering their typological patterns, and formal-syntactic framework which centers on the formal structure and arrangement of elements within sentences and examination of the various markers that indicate the presence of complex clauses in Igbo sentences. Primary data were elicited from purposively selected native speakers of the Igbo language. Instruments for primary data collection include elicitation, observation, and introspection; while secondary data were gathered from extant literary and grammar texts. The research design for studying the typology of complex clause in Igbo is a descriptive study which allows for a comprehensive examination of the complex clauses in the Igbo language, describing its types and functions in detail. The data obtained from the interviews was analyzed using qualitative data analysis techniques. The data are presented in Igbo followed by English translation. The study discovered that a complex sentence is a sentence with more than a single clause in it. The first clause is a primary clause and the other one is a subordinate clause. A complex sentence is formed when you join a “main clause” and a “subordinate clause” with a “connective”. A comma is usually used to separate the two clauses. The study also explored different forms of complex sentence in Igbo language. Independent clause which are declarative clause, interrogative clause, imperative clause, negative clause, coordinating construction, and dependent clauses which have the following; subjunctive clauses, relative clauses, causative clause, conditional clause, nominal clause, and adverbial clause under its category. The study also established different ways by which each of the clause categories is represented, stating the different forms they take and different markers used to represent them.