LEXICO-SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF SELECT IGBO POEMS

Abstract

Lexico-semantics is a subfield of semantics. It is the study of word meanings. It equally studies the relationships between the distinct senses and uses of a word. The units of analysis in lexico-semantics are lexical units which include words and sub-units such as affixes. In poetry, the poet is given poetic license to use words as he pleases. This brings about style and art to poetry. There is therefore the need to uncover the social and aesthetic dimensions of select Igbo poems by exploring the lexical choices of the poets. This research therefore understudies the lexico-semantics of some Igbo poems. The data for the study is got from anthologies of Igbo poems. Nine poems from different poets were selected based on brevity. The selected poems are “Abalị, Ụtara Ntị, Ihe Ukwu, Otii Otii Otii, Ọnwa M, Ụchịcha, Ezi Ịhụnanya, Ekwensu and Ugonwa”. The research is a qualitative one. Data analysis is based on the semantic theories of meaning. The research made the following findings: lexical patterning is used in Igbo poetry for the following effects: introduction of artistic ambiguity, concretization of abstract concepts, evocation of emotion, allusion historical events or forgotten aspects of Igbo culture and creation of emphasis. In conclusion, a major establishment of this study is that the choice of words used in a poem can shift the interpretation of the poem from its intended meaning. This means that the meaning of a poem could be diversified depending on the reader’s interpretation of the lexical items used in the poem.