LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 20:3 March 2020
ISSN 1930-2940

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         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
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         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

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Negation Marking in Defaka

Inoma Nsima George Essien, Ph.D.

Abstract

Defaka is a grossly endangered language spoken in the shared community of Nkoroo, situated in the Eastern fringe of the Niger Delta Region of Rivers State, Nigeria. It is an endangered language, with barely less than fifty fluent speakers. This paper discusses negation marking in Defaka. Negation in Defaka is basically morphological, with a clause level clitic =re attached to the verb. Other markers of negation are, the low toned sentence final particle k?`m which is used to mark the unfulfilled negative, the existential negative ja´i`le` and the negative imperatives ki´ri` and ni`ni`. Tone plays a secondary role. The characteristic tonal pattern of a negative sentence in Defaka is a falling tone; this pattern does not change even with questions, except instances where a verb with a final high tone spreads its high tone through the last syllables of an utterance, giving the utterance a final raised intonation pattern. This raised intonation pattern is also attested in the negation of some noun phrases. Double negatives occur only with the imperative.

Keywords: Defaka, negation marking, Nigeria languages.

Introduction

Language change due to migration or distance from the language’s homeland, social, cultural and group loyalty may gradually lead to language shift or place the shifting language in an endangered state or outright extinction. (Hudson & Patrick 1984). This is the precarious situation in which a language like Defaka has found itself. Tsunoda, (2005.1), states that, ‘In almost every part of the world, minority peoples’ languages are disappearing, and this is taking place at an alarming speed. Also, a great many languages have already become extinct’. In recent times, especially in a multilingual nation like Nigeria, the imposition of the English language due to colonization has posed real threat to the survival of our indigenous languages; the worse hit, being the minority ones. Enclave languages, such as Defaka and Nko?ro?o? fall within the class of endangered languages; Defaka being in a worse state than Nko?ro?o?. The indigenes of Nko?ro?o? are bilingual. Although the bilingual nature of the people is lope sided; only the Defaka are bilingual.

The functional domain of Defaka, has over the years reduced from being used in a healthy traditional society, to use within the Defaka ward in Nko?ro?o? and its fishing settlements, to domestic and private use inside the family, to intimate use for solidarity, secrecy and religious purposes. (Jenewari 1983). Defaka is presently considered to be a minority language, labeled socially and economically useless. It suffers hostility and relegation both from the youths of Defaka origin and the Nko?ro?o? as a whole. Young adults of Defaka origin whose parents did not transmit the language to, make jest of the language when it is spoken, while the Nko?ro?o? consider the language as a lower class language. The stigmatization of Defaka by the Nkoroo has resulted in heavy language shift which has reduced the functional domain of Defaka to use within the Defaka ward in Nko?ro?o?. Defaka and Kirika (Nkoro) are predominantly fishermen. Primarily, the Defaka engage in similar economic pursuits as the Kirika. They trade in such sea products as crayfish, periwinkles, crabs, oysters and several kinds of fishes. They engage in basket weaving, net making, thatch making, petty trading and subsistent farming. Trading activities are carried out with their surrounding neighbours-the Andoni, Ogoni and Opobo people.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Inoma Nsima George Essien, Ph.D.
Department of Linguistics Studies
University of Benin. Nigeria
E-mail essieninoma@yahoo.com
Phone number 08039743027
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