ABSTRACT
This work is aimed at determining the sub-class of verbs of planting in Neni dialect of Igbo language. We carried out a semantic classification and analysis of the argument selection of these verbs, using a descriptive feature-based method to determine the verbs and their argument restrictions.
We reviewed Igbo verbal studies in general and the selectional restrictions on verbs, especially the verbs of planting. We employed the informant-based primary method in gathering the data.
From our classification and analysis we saw that though the verbs of planting in Neni dialect of Igbo differ in form and meaning in that a verb takes a specific sub-class of arguments (Noun phrase) it collocates with. They all bear the same semantic notion ‘to plant’. Examples are:
íkú ợkà ‘to plant maize’
ígbá ákpự ‘to plant cassava’
ísó jí ‘to plant yam
In conclusion, it is really interesting and educating looking at these verbs of planting and the semantic features that resist their collocation with arguments We hope that scholars will be motivated to carry out same research on their languages or dialects after going through this work.
