An Analysis of Selectional Restrictions of Igbo Figurative Expressions

Abstract

Selectional restrictions can be defined as semantic restrictions words impose on the environments they occur. This research focuses on Igbo figurative expressions. Specifically, it analyzes the co-occurrence constraint that exists between lexical items in figurative expressions in the Igbo language. Also, it aims at examining the misapplications of some figurative expressions in Igbo. The method of data collection is through the use of Igbo written texts. A total number of twenty (20) figurative expressions were collected. The method of analyzing data is descriptive using the binary feature format of Componential Analysis. This study reveals that idioms, proverbs, simile, metaphor, personification and hyperbole are some of the expressions identified. Some figurative expressions in the Igbo language do not violate the selectional restriction rule while others do. The violation does not result in ungrammaticality of the expressions. Conclusively, verbs in the Igbo figurative expressions do not combine in a haphazard manner with their complements and subjects; there is inherent constraint which determines the appropriate subjects or complements of a verb in a particular construction.