Towards a Linguistic Study of Personal Names

Most studies on Igala names so far have concentrated on the philosophy and meaning of names thereby neglecting the core linguistics of the names. Besides examining the significance of Igala names, this study employs a multi-level interface approach to examine the extent of the grammar of the Igala language embedded in the personal names. This is with a view to emphasizing the interactions and interdependence of the core levels of linguistic analysis in the derivation of the names. Data gathering for the study comprises a comprehensive compilation of contemporary and common Igala personal names in addition to those found in Omachonu (2019) and Ejeba (2019). The findings show that the names constitute a prism through which the culture and the totality of the Igala cosmology are viewed. Also, the results of the analysis of the structure show attestation of phonological, morphological and syntactic processes known in Igala grammar. The study concludes that Igala names reflect to a large extent, the grammar of the Igala language and that it is not only possible to learn basic Igala through a study of the names but to, an extent, describe the grammar of the language using the names.