Project Abstract

The abstract of the research content is as follows This research project aims to explore various aspects of Migili morphology, focusing on the structure and formation of words in the Migili language. Migili is a minority language spoken by the Migili people in Nigeria. The study begins by providing an overview of the linguistic background of the Migili language, including its classification, speakers, and geographical distribution. The main focus of the research is on the morphology of Migili, which involves analyzing the internal structure of words and how they are formed. The project examines the different types of morphemes present in Migili, such as roots, affixes, and compounds, and investigates the processes of word formation, including derivation and inflection. Furthermore, the research delves into the morphological processes that occur in Migili, such as reduplication, compounding, and morphophonological alternations. These processes play a crucial role in shaping the words in the language and contribute to its overall linguistic structure. In addition to the structural aspects of Migili morphology, the research also explores the semantic and syntactic implications of word formation in the language. By analyzing the meanings and functions of various morphological constructions, the study sheds light on how morphology influences the interpretation and organization of linguistic information in Migili. The project utilizes a descriptive and analytical approach to investigate the morphology of Migili, drawing on data collected from native speakers and existing linguistic resources. Through a detailed analysis of the linguistic data, the research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the morphological processes at work in Migili and their implications for the language's overall structure and use. Overall, this research contributes to the field of linguistics by offering insights into the morphology of a lesser-studied language and highlighting the intricate patterns and structures that govern word formation in Migili. By examining the various aspects of Migili morphology, this study enhances our understanding of the linguistic diversity and complexity found in the world's languages.

Project Overview

   GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Language is the universal fabric that holds every individual of a community together. An instrument, used by man for communication within his environment, without which there would be no meaningful relationship between the human world. Language can also be referred to as the medium through which ideas, thoughts, and other forms of human communication are expressed or carried out.

In the metal compartment where all possible, meaningful and acceptable words are formed, there are certain rules that must be followed or certain conditions met before any word can be viewed as acceptable in any language. The branch of linguistics that studies the compatibility of such combinations and proposes the rules for their formation is called MORPHOLOGY. The basic concept of this branch is the morpheme, the smallest meaningful unit in grammar which may constitute a word or part of a word.

Every language has its own set of morphological rules which are strictly adhered to by members of its community. Such members , (Native speakers) share a great deal of unconscious knowledge about their language which helps in the acquisition of their first language with little or no formal instructions. In connection to morphology, the Migili language has been duely investigated with a view to finding/revealing the aspects of its morphological set up. The Migili people are a tribal group found in Agyaragu local government, Lafia, Nasarawa State. The first chapter of this research centers on areas such as the historical background of the Migili people, their socio-cultural profile, occupation, religion, festival, mode of dressing, marriage, genetic classification. Several other aspects will be reviewed in the latter chapters of the project work.