Table Of ContentAN ORTHOGRAPHY OF THE S S LANGUAGE
BY
Agnes Temitope LEGBETI
PG/ART1118054
UNIVERSITY OF BENIN
BENIN CITY, NIGERIA
MAY, 2016
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AN ORTHOGRAPHY OF THE
BY
Agnes temitope LEGBETI
PG/ART1118054
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES,
UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY, NIGERIA, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF
ARTS (M.A) IN LINGUISTICS.
MAY, 2016.
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Certification
This M.A. project has been read, supervised and approved for the Department of
Linguistics studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Benin, Benin City.
By
------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
PROF. B. A. OKOLO PROF. B.A. OKOLO
Project Supervisor Head of Department
Date: ______________ Date: ________________
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Certification of Thesis on Plagiarism
We, the undersigned, attest and declare that the Thesis of Mrs. Agnes Temitope Legbeti
with matriculation number PG/ART1118054, titled: ‘
has successfully passed the anti-plagiarism test and does not violate
any copyright regulation.
______________________________ ______________________________
Name of Chief Supervisor/Sign & Date Name of Co-supervisor/Sign & Date
_____________________________
Name of HOD/Sign and Date
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Dedication
This work is dedicated to the blessed trinity: The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit
for an overflow of their love in my life which sustained me despite the challenges of life.
Also to mother Mary, help of all who trust in her maternal love, so freely showered on her
son and still available to those who believe.
It is also dedicated to the loving memory of my late husband, Barrister Oyogbo Daniel
Legbeti, whose life was cut short by the bullets fired by unknown armed robbers/killers four
years ago. It was recalling his voice urging me to ensure I complete the MA program that
kept me going many times when I felt despondent. May your gentle soul continue to rest in
peace dear.
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Acknowledgements
I am grateful to the three persons in one God for their love, provision and constant
care. Where would I have been, but for God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Special thanks go to my supervisor, Prof. B. A. Okolo. He became a motivator spurring
me on with well timed advice and helpful guidance. Despite his always tight schedule, he
painstakingly read and corrected this work. When I got confused or needed clarification, he
always picked my calls or calls me back if unable to answer. May the Lord bless you.
This research benefitted greatly from the works of leading phonologist, Prof. V. E
Omozuwa. I gratefully acknowledge that his ample works on the Ẹdo language and its
orthography, especially: saying it right and necessarily writing it right, contri uted in no
small measure to this study. y sincere thanks go to rof . . uka. e made me ustify on
that e er present oard in his office, the need for an orthography for s s . Those back
and forth arguments of mine helped marshal a clear pathway for this study. My profound
gratitude also goes to Prof C.U.C Ugorji. I am humbled by the interest this don of linguistics
showed in my academic pursuit. The materials he spared me and the criticism he did not
spare me, I lack words to describe its impact in this study and in my life. I feel greatly
indebted. Last but by no means the least amongst the Professors is the PG school Faculty of
Arts representative, Prof. E.A. Ifidon. Though he came into the research towards the end of
this study, his constructive criticism and academically merciless bashing into shape of the
synopsis of my research effort greatly enriched this study.
Additional help came from Dr M. Agbo who sent me to his good friend, Dr ‘Demola
Lewis of the Linguistics Department, University of Ibadan. In academics, certain helpfulness
cannot be financially quantified and this is one of such. A timely helping hand came from Dr.
Mrs E.O. Ikoyo-Eweto. She took me under her wings and having contributed to the Esan
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Orthography development, she ensured this work benefitted immensely from her expertise.
This entire work owe a lot to her. I must mention Dr. (Mrs.) Gladys Ikhimwin. Though our
friendship dates way back to undergraduate days together, her criticism were purely academic
and constructive, tailored towards bringing out the best in the research since the topic falls
under her field of expertise. Her unalloyed cooperation with reviews even when it was not
convenient for her is greatly appreciated. Finally, I am grateful to Dr. Mrs. Patience Etefia, a
sister in many ways.
I am grateful to all the wonderful people I journeyed with upon commencing the M.A.
program. Rubbing shoulders with Ralph Iyamu, Edosa James, William Aghedo, Allen
Oluwatoyin, Ameze Ogbeifun, Osaigbovo Iyekowa, Felicity Idemudia, Blessing Onovbiona,
and Mrs R.O Osewa was no mean feat for they were all good at what they love, Linguistics.
Many thanks to my one true friend and brother in the M.A. class, Osaig o o O ed
uowan. It was you who helped me stay true to my am ition to write an orthography for
s s , my mother tongue. Many thanks also to Godsent Agharuwa, who helped me with
prayers, materials, comments and uplifting friendship. Last but not the least of my classmates
is my ‘nearest daughter’, flatmate and cherished friend, Rose al Okoh. Together, we sur i ed
this academic challenge y leaning on each other’s shoulders constantly.
My deep appreciation goes to my family for their unconditional love and occasional
financial assistance. It made schooling without tears possible. My heartfelt gratitude goes to
my wonderful friends: Eden Emiko, Monica Agbonrofo, Ejiro Omagbe, Ruth Mayuku and
Rosemary Okpara. Without their love and several checks, I would have lost focus. I
acknowledge indigenes especially Mr J. Giwa, Afefomeh club of Warri and all informants for
their enthusiasm. Lastly, thanks goes to Mrs. Sammy Graham-Douglas of Uniben basement
who was the only person who typed this work with special fonts without a day of frowning.
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List of abbreviations
Nas…………………………………………………. Nasals
Syl …………………………………………………. Sylla le
!................................................................................. Downstep
……………………………………………………… igh tone
…………………………………………………….. ow tone
+ ……………………………………………………. high tone
- ……………………………………………………... ow tone
……………………………………………………… onsonant
V……………………………………………………. Vowel
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Table of Contents
Cover Page - - - - - - - - - - i
Title page - - - - - - - - - - ii
Certification of supervision - - - - - - - - iii
Certification of thesis on plagiarism - - - - - - - vi
Dedication - - - - - - - - - - v
Acknowledgements - - - - - - - - - vi-vii
List of abbreviations - - - - - - - - - viii
Table of Contents - - - - - - - - vi-xii
Abstract - - - - - - - - - xiii
CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - - 1
1.1 The s s eople - - - - - - - - 2
1.2 The s s anguage - - - - - - - 3
1.3 The Geographical Location of s s - - - - - 6
1.4 The Statement of the Problem - - - - - - 8
1.5 The Significance of the Study - - - - - - 8
1.6 Objective of the Study - - - - - - - 9
1.7 Scope of the Study - - - - - - - 10
1.8 Method of Data Collection - - - - - - 11
1.9 The Limitation of the Study - - - - - - 12
CHAPTER TWO: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.0 Introduction- - - - - - - - - 13
2.1 Phoneme - - - - - - - - - 13
2.1.1 Manner of Articulation - - - - - - - 13
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2.1.2 Place of Articulation - - - - - - - - 14
2.1.3 Phonation Type - - - - - - - - 14
2.1.4 Airstream Mechanism - - - - - - - - 14
2.2 Phonology - - - - - - - - - 14
2.2.1 Phonemes - - - - - - - - - 16
2.2.2 Discovery Procedures for a Phoneme - - - - - - 16
2.2.3 Suspicious Pairs - - - - - - - - 17
2.2.4 Minimal Pairs - - - - - - - - - 17
2.2.5 Allophones - - - - - - - - - 19
2.2.6 Syllable - - - - - - - - - 19
2.2.7 Tones - - - - - - - - - - 20
2.2.8 Phonological Processes - - - - - - - 21
2.3 Morphology of So-so - - - - - - - - 22
2.3.1 Defining Word - - - - - - - - - 23
2.3.1.1 Pause criterion - - - - - - - - 24
2.3.1.2 Similar forms criterion - - - - - - 24
2.3.1.3 The Interruptibility Criterion - - - - - - 24
2.3.1.4 Morpheme as word criterion - - - - - - 24
2.4 Orthography Formation - - - - - - - 26
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