Strengthening and Weakening of Tone in Igbo: A Descriptive Analysis

Abstract

Tone is a very important issue in Igbo phonology because of its lexical and grammatical functions of distinguishing meaning in the  language. Over the years, scholars have researched extensively on  Igbo tone in so many aspects. Also, past studies have discussed  strengthening and weakening as phonological processes involving  the segmental phonemes. In this paper, the Igbo tonal system is reexamined in order to establish that these processes also involve supra-segments (tone in particular) during connected speech. The data obtained from Igbo text sand Ọmambala speech varieties of the  Igbo language were descriptively analysed. The results reveal that in  Igbo speech production, the phonological processes of weakening  and strengthening involve both the segmental phonemes and supra-segment (tone).