MORPHOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN THE IGBO LANGUAGE: TOWARDS ENRICHING L2 LEARNERS’ VOCABULARY

Abstract

Languages are often classified according to their morphological types- isolating, agglutinating and inflecting languages. No language however, is entirely of one type. A language may be predominantly isolating but have traces of agglutination or inflective. Igbo language belongs to an agglutinating language because grammatical relationships and word structure are indicated by free combination of elements. The paper discussed morphological processes in Igbo language. The discussion highlighted the various types of morphological processes evident in the languageaffixation, borrowing calquing, clipping, compounding and reduplication. The paper argued that by showcasing and identifying the various morphological processes in the Igbo Language, it will enrich the vocabulary of language students. The paper also highlighted some of the morphological problems of Igbo learners of English language. The paper concluded that English morphology be taught systematically in our schools in order for students to internalize the rules and their exceptions.