Affixes variations in the Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study explored the variations in affixes (prefixes and suffixes) within the Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria, focusing on the Igbo language. It aims to document and preserve the affixes of the Igbo language spoken in Anambra East Local Government, which consists of the following towns: Aguleri, Enugwu Aguleri, Eziagulu Otu Aguleri, Enugwu-Otu Aguleri, Mkpunando-otu Aguleri, Ikem Ivite, Igbariam, Umuoba Anam, Nando, Umueri, and Nsugbe, as the dialects of the Igbo language are rapidly disappearing. Igbo is renowned for its rich system of affixation, and this research examined how these affixes manifest in perfective, negation, past tense, and future tense constructions. The research used a combination of methods, including interviews with native speakers, recordings of conversations, and a review of existing literature on the Igbo language. Data collected from various towns in Anambra East highlight distinctive morphological features unique to this region. The perfective marker typically combines a prefix and suffix with the root verb, while negation is marked by a specific suffix distinct from the standard Igbo. Past tense marking in Anambra East involves a unique suffix, reflecting tonal and morphological variations from standard Igbo, and the future tense is indicated by a different prefix. This study underscored the linguistic and cultural diversity within the Igbo-speaking communities, illustrating how regional variations enrich the overall linguistic landscape of Igbo. By examining these affix variations, the research provides valuable insights into the complexities of Igbo morphology and the cultural narratives embedded in its linguistic structures.

Keywords: morphology, morpheme, affix, Igbo language, dialect, archiving.