A Semantico-Pragmatic Analysis of Selected Polysemous Words in Igala
Keywords:
Igala language, Polysemy, Semantics, Pragmatics, Contextual influenceAbstract
This seminar paper will discuss the semantico-pragmatic aspects of polysemous words in Igala, which is the language of people of central Nigeria mostly. It also examines how contextual influences determine the meaning and application of words with multiple related meanings, and its dynamic nature of meaning and functionality in the Igala discourse is realized. Polysemy adds to the richness of the linguistic and the effectiveness of the communicative process, and it is necessary to learn the semantico-pragmatic aspects of it to communicate successfully in the Igala-speaking communities. The research follows both qualitative and quantitative design and uses the data of the interviews with native speakers, ethnography, and textual analysis of literary works. The information was precisely categorized and examined to determine polysemous expressions, different meanings of these expressions, and contextual indicators upon which they are used. The theoretical background is based on Speech Act Theory (Austin and Searle, 1962) and the Theory of Implicature which together give a hint into the contextual influence of meaning as well as its intent by the speaker. Results indicate that a lot of Igala polysemous words obtain their expanded meanings due to metaphorical application and cultural meaning. These words are used tactically by speakers to make their expressions or speech artful and communicative. The research highlights the significance of semantico-pragmatic analysis in unveiling the interaction between the language, culture, and meaning and it promotes future comparative studies among the African languages.
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Published on: 22-02-2026
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