Negativity and Aspect in Mbaise Lect of Igbo

Abstract

This paper examines negativity and aspect in Mbaise dialect of the Igbo language. The specific objectives of this study are to examine how aspect and negation are marked/realised in Mbaise Igbo, as well as to examine their tonal patterns. Data for the study are got through elicitation method, intuition and printed materials, and are then transcribed and analysed descriptively using the X-bar theory as its framework. Findings reveal the presence of perfective, progressive and habitual aspects in Mbaise Igbo with their various markers. This study equally observes that Mbaise Igbo has two negative markers. Also, these aspect forms can be combined with negations to form negative sentences. In line with the second objective, the findings of this study reveal that aspect has various tone patterns. In the formation of negative sentences, however, these aspect markers do change their tonal patterns. This study concludes that aspect and negation as functional/verbal categories are robust and indeed exist in the Mbaise Igbo.