An Analysis of Selectional Restrictions of Igbo Figurative Expressions

Abstract

Selectional restrictions can be defined as semantic restrictions words impose onthe environments they occur. This research focuses on Igbo figurativeexpressions. Specifically, it analyzes the co-occurrence constraint that existsbetween lexical items in figurative expressions in the Igbo language. Also, itaims at examining the misapplications of some figurative expressions in Igbo.The method of data collection is through the use of Igbo written texts. A totalnumber of twenty (20) figurative expressions were collected. The method ofanalyzing data is descriptive using the binary feature format of ComponentialAnalysis. This study reveals that idioms, proverbs, simile, metaphor,personification and hyperbole are some of the expressions identified. Somefigurative expressions in the Igbo language do not violate the selectionalrestriction rule while others do. The violation does not result inungrammaticality of the expressions. Conclusively, verbs in the Igbo figurativeexpressions do not combine in a haphazard manner with their complements andsubjects; there is inherent constraint which determines the appropriate subjectsor complements of a verb in a particular construction.