VERBS OF QUALITY IN IGBO: A SEMANTIC AND MORPHO-SYNTACTIC CHARACTERIZATION

Abstract

This paper examines the semantic and morpho-syntactic characterization of the verbs of quality in Igbo. It adopts the lexical semantic classes proposed by Dixon (2004) and a set of defining morpho- syntactic characteristics proposed by Elders et al (2009) in their typological study of quality verbs in African languages. A total of sixteen verbs are used for this study and are further classified into various semantic types. A set of semantic features such as semantic intransitivity, high possibility of 'antonymicity', correlation with a question proform, stative reading,etc. are relevant in determining prototypical verbs of quality. Out of the thirteen semantic types proposed by Dixon (2004), only five seem applicable to the Igbo verbs of quality. In relation to temporal reference (tense), Igbo verbs of quality only denote a present meaning using the -rv suffix. This suffix is differentiated from the -rv suffix that denotes past tense in active verbs. The morphemic shape of this subset of verb is posited as cv+rv in written form but cv+v especially in spoken form. The Tbus of both structures are assigned LL tones. Unlike some languages where the comparative and superlative marker(s) are associated with the adjectival verbs, it is observed that these marker(s) though highly applicable, are not exclusive features of Igbo verbs of quality since they could be applied to as many verbs as possible in Igbo.