ABSTRACT

This study seeks to examine the internal structure of words, types of words, the various word formation process and the complexity that occurs in the morphology of Yoruba. The aim of the study is to enhance the understanding and processing of the complex morphological structures inherent in Yoruba language The specific objectives are: to examine Yoruba morphological structures to comprehend word production processes and how they relate to linguistic theory, to analysis the effects of Yoruba's morphological complexity on language learning and processing, especially in bilingual or multilingual settings, to determine how morphological complexity and language change over time are related, following the development of Yoruba morphological patterns and their sociolinguistic ramifications. Data collection and analysis methods for the Yoruba language, focused on word formation processes such as affixation, reduplication, and compounding. Data from Yoruba native speakers and proficient individuals are examined, including both primary and secondary sources. The presentation of data includes examples of prefixation, negation using the prefix "ai-" in Yoruba, and instances of reduplication (both partial and complete). Compounding, the joining of two words to create a new meaning, is also discussed. The analysis elucidates how these processes contribute to the formation of words in the Yoruba language, showcasing how morphemes, repetition, and combination alter word class and meaning. The project emphasizes the transformative nature of these linguistic processes in word creation.