The Phonosemantics of the Open Front Unrounded Vowel /a/ in Standard Igbo and Ogbunike Igbo Variety

Abstract

Among the phonemes of the Igbo language is the open front unrounded vowel /a/. It is here argued that it has certain phonosemantic connotations when uttered alone at different pitches in standard Igbo and Ogbunike Igbo variety. We further examine the role tone plays in revealing the phonosemantic associations of this vowel. The primary data were supplied by the two authors as Igbo native speakers, combined with the first author’s intuitive knowledge of Ogbunike variety. The secondary data were obtained from Swadesh 100 Wordlist, the authors-adapted Wordlist of 141 words, and other existing literature. Three other competent Igbo native speakers were orally interviewed and their judgements helped for the analysis. A qualitative research approach was adopted for the analysis, revealing that, in addition to the earlier findings in the literature that the vowel has phonosemantic connotations of vigorous activity, strong, bright, and extended, it connotes bravery, domineering, intimidating, versatility, and spreading. Finally, it could also be confirmed that, through additional changes in pitch, /a/ also connotes surprise in Standard Igbo and Ogbunike Igbo Variety, but attention in Ogbunike Igbo Variety.