Copula Constructions in Igala: A Cross-linguistic Typological Perspective

Abstract

This paper investigates copula constructions in Igala, a Yoruboid language of the Benue-Congo subgroup spoken in central Nigeria. Drawing on elicited data from native speakers and framed within cross-linguistic typological literature (e.g., Curnow 2000; Pustet 2003; Mikkelsen 2005), the study identifies three primary copular forms in Igala: the verbal copula che, the semi-copula dà (often combined with the object-demoting auxiliary mú), and the locative/existential copula dẹ́. Additionally, Igala permits zero copula constructions under constrained grammatical contexts, particularly in present tense and informal registers. These copula forms correspond with established typological categories while displaying language-specific morphosyntactic and semantic characteristics. The analysis further classifies Igala copular clauses into predicational, specificational, and equative types, following Higgins (1979) and Mikkelsen (2005). The findings contribute both to the documentation of Igala grammar and to broader typological models of copula systems, highlighting the grammaticalization pathways and contextual factors that shape copula use in the language.