Numeral systems in Ukwunzu

Abstract

Numerals tell a lot of stories about the resourcefulness of most African languages. This is because several studies have shown that numerals (at least from 11-1000) are formed through various mathematical and morphological processes. It is through this mathematical means, that languages/dialects are able to form complex numerals from basic ones when the need arises. This paper records, documents and analyses the numeration process in Ukwunzu community in Delta state, where the Olukumi, a dialect of Yoruba (Yoruboid Family) and the Enuani dialect of Igbo (Igboid Family) are both spoken as native tongues.  As a result of this peculiar bilingual situation in the community, this study will be both descriptive and comparative. In doing a descriptive study, we looked at the various mathematical and morphological processes involved in the derivation of numerals in both dialects and since both dialects are spoken by the same group of people, we placed both numerals side by side in our analysis to bring out the similarities and differences in their operations. Findings show that both addition and multiplication are prevalent processes in both dialects; thus new forms are derived by adding to the base or multiplying it. Also both dialects favour the vigesimal (base 20) system of counting, where new numerals are derived by adding to or multiplying the base. The study shows that most languages adopt the same universal principle in the derivation of new numerals, though the mathematical or morphological processes involved may vary from one language/dialect to another. The paper observes, in the course of research, that quite a lot has been done on numeration in the Nigerian major languages and that very little work has been done on the minority languages/dialects. The paper therefore recommends that efforts be made to record and document numeral systems of minority/dying dialects, in order to preserve their rich linguistic as well as cultural heritage.