Linguistics

Basically, there are two recognized levels of phonological analyses: segmental and supra-segmental. Segmental phonology analyzes speech sounds into discrete segments such as phonemes while supra-segmental phonology analyzes syntagm (sequence) of phonemes and vocal effects. Phonotactically, two or more phonemes combine to form a syllable and in turn, two or more syllables combine to form a word, words make phrases and phrases create sentences. The syllable is therefore, a syntagm of phonemes, which comprises at least, a vowel sound and sometimes, one or more consonant sounds. The preoccupation of this paper is to explore and analyze the syllabic structure of Tiv. Data are analyzed based on Optimality theory. A chunk number of Tiv syllables contains complex onsets and heavy nuclei. Most syllables are open; with no onset or coda. Tiv language does allow consonant clusters: up to four or five consonants are permitted at the onset but only one consonant at the coda. This research argues that Tiv language has consonant clusters, as the onset is composed of at most, four consonants. The study puts together a reference material for the teaching and learning of Tiv language so as to contribute to the preservation and documentation of the language. The paper calls for the harmonization of the discrepancies inherent in the orthography and pronunciations of Tiv words.

The basic premises of generative phonology are that phonological structure reflects the linguistic competence of the individual native speaker to compute a phonetic representation for the potentially infinite number of sentences generated by the syntactic component of the grammar and that this competence can be investigated in a serious scientific fashion (Kenstowicz, 1994: 103). The generative point of view has become dominant in the field of linguistics and has had varying degrees of influence on other cognitive sciences. This work investigates the shapes or alternations that Tiv copulas assume in given contexts as a result of phonological conditioning. The study is an attempt to put together a reference material for the teaching and learning of Tiv language so as to contribute to the preservation and documentation of the language. The researcher adopted a descriptive survey to gather data thus, two instruments were used to collect data: oral interview and structured questionnaire. Data were presented and analyzed based on generative phonological theory as enshrined in Chomsky and Halle's The Sound Pattern of English (1968). The study concludes that the use of a copula in a particular environment is conditioned by the sound segment of the Determiner Phrase (DP) and this makes the Tiv language unique in the use of linking verbs. The paper calls for the harmonization of the discrepancies inherent in the orthography and pronunciations of Tiv words.

The paper analyses Hausa and English greetings from a sociolinguistics point of view, which considers greetings as cultural phenomena that have functions and meanings. It examines the functions, situations and the major forms of Hausa and English greetings. It also compares and contrasts the greeting practices in the two languages. The corpus used for this study comprise of greetings used in natural contexts. Finally, the data establishes that there is a strong interface between a language of the people and their cultural practices, as asserted by Sapir-Whorlf Hypothesis.

PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 2 This paper examines the role that some Hausa oral songs could play towards National Integration and Development in Nigeria. Their contents usually call for nationalism, patriotism, dedication, hardworking and self reliance among Nigerians. They also emphasize the significance of the above virtues to national integration and development. The data used in this research comes from audio recorded cassettes and printed documents. The analysis is based on functionalists view on literature, which focuses on its functions to society. However, the result of the analysis proves that Hausa oral songs could serve as an agent of national integration and development in Nigeria.