ASPECTS OF THE MORPHOLOGY OF URHOBO NUMERAL SYSTEM

Abstract

This project carried out an analysis of the aspects of the morphology of numerals in the Ugheni dialect of Urhobo. The study was motivated by the need to document and investigate the different morphological processes that are embedded in the numerals in the Ugheni dialect of Urhobo and also ascertaining the internal structures of the numerals. The project however focused on numbers one (1) to one hundred (100) in the language of study. The set objectives included to identify the constituents of the morphological structure in Ugheni numerals; ascertain the morphological processes employed in the derivation of numerals in Ugheni; among others. The primary data for the project was collected through interviews by the researcher from speakers of the Ugheni dialect of Urhobo living in Ughelli while the secondary data consisted of Urhobo audio and videos where numbers were used in broadcasting, programs, music and discussions. The informants entailed eight (8) elderly speakers of the Ugheni dialect of Urhobo. The relevant data collected from the bulk of data collected consisted of numerals one (1) to one hundred (100). The theoretical framework adopted was the Basic Linguistic Theory which is a descriptive framework capable of handling descriptive data. The project found out that Ugheni numerals exhibit simple, compound and complex structure; the processes of compounding, addition and multiplication are employed in the derivation of numerals, among others. The study concluded although morphological processes are used in the derivation of numerals, phonology plays a role also in the derivation through vowel elision (in compounding and addition) and through coalescence (in multiplication).