PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF HYPOCORISM FOR MARRIED WOMEN IN TIV

Abstract

This study titled ‘Pragmatic Analysis of Tiv Hypocorisms for Married Women’, sought to determine the factors that influence the selection and use as well as the classifications, meanings, communicative significance and pragmatic functions of Tiv hypocorisms for married women. The study employed the qualitative means of data gathering through unstructured oral interviews. Fifty (50) married couples who are Tiv native speakers were interviewed to find out the motivation for Tiv hypocorisms, their sources, meanings and functions. The data gathered were analyzed descriptively using pragmatic theory which provides adequate interpretation of the hypocorisms for married women in Tiv. The study found that emotions and traits of married women contribute immensely to the selection and use of Tiv hypocorisms for married women. The study also found that Tiv hypocorisms for married women are not mere linguistic expressions but are also pragmatically meaningful, which provides a window to understanding the marital cultural mindset of the Tiv. The study also discovered that Tiv hypocorisms provide a window to show love, emotional connection and bond enjoyed among married couples in Tiv society. The study, concluded that hypocorism in Tiv are not only a cultural phenomenon but are the bedrock of successful marriages in Tiv communities. The study recommends that more studies should be carried out on the linguistic study of hypocorism. There is also need for cultural renaissance through awareness creation and support for the use and preservation of this valuable and cherished culture of hypocorism in Tiv, in order to serve as records of knowledge of the Tiv language, culture and tradition for the future generation.