Tonological Analysis of Igbo Prefixes

This paper which studies the tonological analysis of Igbo prefixes draws its data from the standard Igbo and uses a descriptive approach in its analysis of data. The study shows that tone is an essential factor in Igbo prefixes since it is the tone that gives meaning to each prefix in Igbo. Such categories of Igbo prefixes identified based on their grammatical functions (infinitive, agentive, gerund, negative and progressive markers) and manner of production (oral and nasal prefixes) largely depend on tones in order to work, be meaningful and function effectively in Igbo. The researcher equally observed that the tone of Igbo oral/nasal prefixes is determined by their grammatical functions and context. Based on the grammatical functions, the study shows that infinitive marker prefixes, “i- and ị-” and the negative marker prefixes, “a- and e-” in Igbo are always on high tone while the agentive marker prefixes, “m-, n-, o- and ọ-” and the gerund marker prefixes, “o- and ọ-” are always on low tone. Context determines the tone of progressive marker prefixes which runs in a particular order depending on the following verb root. When the verb root that the prefix is attached to is a high-tone one, then the prefix takes a low tone but if the verb root is a low-tone one, the prefix assumes a high tone. The study equally proves that Igbo prefixes which comprise single consonants and vowels which are bound morphemes bear tones and form syllables in the context of words

Morpheme, affixation, prefix, tone, tone bearing unit, infinitive

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