Submit your papers Submit Now
International Peer-Reviewed Journal
For Enquiries: editor@iiardjournals.org
📄 Download Paper

Lexical Ambiguity in English and Kirika (NKO?RO?O?)

OBUDIKIANGA, Bara Lambert

Abstract

The English language is one of the most widely spoken and influential languages globally while the Kirika language is an endangered language that is spoken in a part of Rivers state of Nigeria. This paper aims at a comparison of these two languages. This research paper ‘Lexical ambiguity in English and Kirika’ is aimed at determining lexical ambiguity in both languages. Data for this study were gathered from adult native speakers of Kirika and were analyzed descriptively. The study revealed that both English and Kirika have more homonymous lexemes than polysemous ones.

Keywords

Language Meaning Ambiguity Lexical ambiguity Homonymy Polysemy.

References

Brown, G. (1996). Speakers, listeners and communication: Exploration in discourse analysis. London: Cambridge University Press. Cann, R. (1993). Formal Semantics: An Introduction Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Crystal, D.(1997). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language.2nd edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. David, J. (2019). English language and literature in Historical context Ibadan: Spectrum Books Ltd. Ejele, P.E. (1996). An Introductory Course on Language. Port Harcourt: University of Port Harcourt Press. Empson, W. (1930). Seven types of Ambiguity.1st Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Fineagan,E. (1994). Language: its structure and use.( 2ndedn) Orlando: Harcourt Brace and company. Johnson, S. (1975). Paper in Contrastive Linguistics and Language Testing. London: CWK Green and Co Ltd. Ndimele, O.M. (1999). A First course on Morphology and Syntax. Port Harcourt: Emahai Printing and Publishing Co. Nwala, M.A. (2015). Introduction to Linguistics: A first course. Port Harcourt: Obisco Nig. Enterprises Obikudo, E.F. (2013). The Grammar ofNkoroo. PhD Dissertation Unpublished. University of Port Harcourt. Omego, C. (2011). Linguistic Semantics. Port Harcourt: Harvey Publisher Coy. Sebastian, L. (2013). Understanding Semantics. New York. Routledge. Ullman, S. (1962). Semantics: An Introduction to the science of meaning. USA: Basil Blackwell and Mott Ltd. Wilkinson, D.J. (2006). The Ambiguity Advantage: What Great leaders are great at. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Yul-Ifode. (2008). An Introduction to Language in History and Society Port Harcourt: University of Port Harcourt Press.