Neologisms in Igikuria

Abstract

This study is an investigation on Igikuria neologisms within the framework of Relevance theory as advanced by Wilson and Sperber (1995). The research is hinged on the research gap, that there is no recorded relevance theoretic account on the nature of Igikuria neologisms and need to understand the nature of Igikuria neologisms, and how Relevance theory accounts for their formation. Therefore, this research‟s mandate is purely based on finding adequate description of Igikuria neologisms within the relevance theory. Research data was drawn from respondents from indigenous speakers in Ntimaru area of Kuria East Constituency. Data was also drawn from “Jesus movie” a translation into Igikuria, and used in this research. This research consists of four chapters, and begins with chapter one which gives a background to the Kuria people and the Igikuria language, a conception of the research problem, objectives for the research, rationale, theoretic framework and the methodology of research. Chapter two explores the nature of Igikuria neologisms by reviewing their salient features (sources, motivations, and productivity in the language).The chapter also discusses derivation, reduplication, borrowing and semantic extensions as processes involved in neologism formations. Chapter three is analytic in nature. It goes beyond the superficial outlook of neologisms and applies the RT in explaining how the various neologisms are interpreted. Ad hoc concepts of broadening and narrowing are undertaken, and RT used to explain how hearers interpret words involved. Chapter four reviews how our research objectives have been met through a discussion of findings of the research.This chapter concludes our investigation by giving a summary, conclusions, and recommendations for further research within the Igikuria language.