Background of the Study
Oral literature in Nigeria, particularly folktales, is a vital repository of cultural heritage and traditional wisdom. This study explores the morphological patterns inherent in Nigerian folktales, focusing on the processes of word formation and structural repetition that make these narratives memorable. Morphological processes such as affixation, compounding, and reduplication are frequently employed to create rhythmic and emphatic effects, reinforcing the oral transmission of cultural values (Chinwe, 2023). These linguistic features contribute to the preservation of language and tradition by enabling storytellers to convey complex ideas in engaging ways. By comparing folktales from different Nigerian regions, this research aims to document common morphological strategies while highlighting regional variations. The study will analyze recorded folktales and their transcriptions, focusing on how morphological structures support narrative coherence and cultural continuity (Ibrahim, 2024). Insights from this research are expected to enhance our understanding of the interplay between language structure and oral tradition, thereby contributing to efforts aimed at preserving Nigeria's rich cultural heritage (Chinwe, 2023).
Statement of the Problem
There is limited scholarly research focusing on the morphological structures within Nigerian oral literature, particularly in folktales. Existing studies often emphasize thematic elements and narrative style while neglecting the systematic morphological patterns that underpin these stories. This gap in the literature hinders a comprehensive understanding of how word formation processes contribute to the effectiveness and longevity of oral narratives. Without a detailed analysis of these patterns, efforts to document and revitalize traditional folktales may overlook essential linguistic features that support cultural transmission. This study aims to address this gap by examining the morphological processes in Nigerian folktales and evaluating their impact on narrative structure and memorability (Ibrahim, 2024; Chinwe, 2023).
Objectives of the Study
To identify key morphological patterns in Nigerian folktales.
To compare morphological structures across different regional folktales.
To assess the role of these patterns in enhancing narrative coherence.
Research Questions
What morphological processes are most common in Nigerian folktales?
How do these processes vary across different regions?
How do morphological patterns contribute to the effectiveness of oral narratives?
Significance of the Study
This study highlights the importance of morphological analysis in understanding Nigerian oral literature. Its findings will contribute to linguistic scholarship and cultural preservation by providing insights into the structural features that enhance narrative impact. Educators, cultural historians, and language preservationists will benefit from these insights, ensuring that traditional storytelling methods are documented and valued (Chinwe, 2023).
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study is limited to analyzing morphological patterns in Nigerian folktales and does not include other forms of oral literature.
Definitions of Terms
Morphology: The study of word structure and formation.
Folktales: Traditional stories passed down orally through generations.
Reduplication: A morphological process involving the repetition of a word or part of it.
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