A Contrastive Analysis Of Conjugation Of English And Igbo Verbs

Abstract
The purpose of this study is to ascertain how verbs are formed in the two Languages. In-contact, namely; English and Languages were extensively compared and contrasted. Verb formation processes create teaching and learning problems for second Language Learners and this may be attributed to various factors. According to Anyadiegwu “a language learner may have the intralingual or interlingual problems in learning a second language and this could lead to errors”. In this study the researcher reviewed related literature on the topic. The researcher collected data from a population sample mainly secondary school teachers of the two languages. They were issued subjective. The researcher observed that word-formation processes in English and Igbo languages involve affixation, inflection, and derivation. However, the English language system of verb formation involves verbal ablaut and inflection. Verb of English language were analyzed pointing out their various formation processes which were contrasted with those of Igbo language. The Igbo verb formation processes like those of English language were also analyzed. The two languages whose verb formations were studied showed that there are similarities and differences existing in the formation of their verbs. The English and Igbo verb formation processes are similar only in the area ablaut (morpheme transformation) and shift in stress do not exist in Igbo Language. Several affixations and tonal patterns which characterize the Igbo verb formation process do exist in English language. Verb extension which is the additional of a letter in-between two or more root words does not as well apply to the English Language. The use of contrastive Analysis in this study has proved that there are divergences which create problems to teachers and learners of the two languages.