Affixal Processes in Ogba and English Languages

Abstract

This paper contrasted the affixal processes in in O̩gba and English languages. The aim of the study is to identify the areas of similarities and dissimilarities between the affixal processes in both languages. The study adopted the Contrastive Analysis Theory (CA). The data used in this study were elicited through the use of unstructured oral interview of L1 and L2 users of O̩gba and English languages respectively. The data for the study were analyzed through the use of descriptive and contrastive methods of data analysis. The data were presented using the Leipzig glossing pattern. It was observed that prefixes, suffixes and suprafixes exist in both languages. This study also found out that prefixes are segmental phonemes in both languages. However, it was noticed that whereas the prefixes in O̩gba have either V or N (where N represents syllabic nasal) syllabic structure, the prefixes in English language have irregular syllabic structures which include: VC, CV, VCCV, CVCV and CVC. This study further observed that it is only the verb that host prefixes in O̩gba while nouns, adjectives and verb can host the prefixes in English language. Again, it was affirmed that English language has more suffixes than the O̩gba language. Only four suffixes were identified in the O̩gba while the English language has several suffixes. Additionally, whereas suffixation is inflectional in O̩gba, it is both inflectional and derivational in the English language. It was noticed that the suprafixes in O̩gba are tone (variation in the pitch of the voice) and nasalization while the suprafix in the English language is stress. In view of that, this study recommended that English language teachers within O̩gba speech communities should focus on other forms of nominalization and stress in the English language.