ASPECTS OF SEMANTIC CHANGE IN SELECTED NOUNS AND VERBS IN IGBO

Abstract

This study investigates the semantic change in selected nouns and verbs in the Igbo language focusing on their meaning extension, pejoration, amelioration, metaphorization and general meaning innovations. Data were collected from adult native speakers of Igbo language of different walks of life. The elicitation and participant observation methods were used to collect the data. The Contextual Theory of Meaning was used as the theoretical framework for data analysis. The findings from the study show Igbo nouns and verbs analyzed have over time semantically evolved with both negative and positive connotations though with more of positive connotations. These semantic changes are part of the dynamic nature of language itself and also reflect thecontinuous adaptation of Igbo language vocabulary to different contexts of usage.