DOCUMENTATION OF SELECTED FLORA AND FAUNA TERMS IN OBOLO LANGUAGE

Abstract

Flora and fauna are essential components of the natural environment, varying significantly across geographical regions. Hence, language is not just a matter of words and rules, but also of the cultural and environmental context in which it is used. This paper discusses the terms for flora and fauna in Obolo, their categorization, semantic fields, and conceptual categories. Additionally, it examines the cultural significance of these terms. Finally, it investigates whether there are loanwords or linguistic influences from other languages on Obolo's terms for flora and fauna. Data for the study were gathered from existing literature, notably Ikpa Mbuban (The Bible in Obolo, Nigeria, Protestant Version), and elicited from competent native speakers. The methodology is simply descriptive. A total of 91 terms representing fauna and 63 terms denoting flora were collected and analyzed. The research findings revealed that Obolo has terms or lexical items for flora and fauna, although these terms are limited in the language lexicon. Certain flora and fauna lack Obolo names due to ecological divergence or differences. Notably, the Obolo people's ecological setting influences their lexicon, with more terms for aquatic flora and fauna than terrestrial. Names for flora and fauna not found in the Obolo-speaking regions or ecosystem are absent in the language. It is evident that different tribes and groups have distinct terms for plants and animals, and a speaker’s knowledge of these terms can significantly enhance effective communication, cultural understanding, and environmental awareness. It is recommended that Obolo people should become familiar with the terms used in referring to flora and fauna in Obolo language not just for effective communication in the language but also for cultural awareness.