DERIVATION OF NUMERAL AND COUNTING SYSTEM IN TIV

Abstract

This paper explicates the derivational processes in the Tiv numeral system. The Tiv language has complexity of deriving, especially non-basic numeral involves addition and multiplication in addition to the grammatical processes; drawing from phonological and morphological processes such as compounding, affixation and reduplication which are compiled to yield several numeral forms in the language. In this work, investigation on how the phonemes and morphemes play significant role through variations in the word building processes of the numeral system. The study relies on three major sources in gathering the data for the descriptive analysis namely: compilation of a list of Tiv numbers, the researcher’s intuitive knowledge of the language in addition to his training as a linguist, and scholarly works on Tiv numerals in textbooks and journals available. The paper employs the lexical phonology theory to back up its claims on derivational processes of Tiv numeral system. In all, from the available data in this study, Tiv language could be said to belong to the group of languages which have a vigesimal numeral system. This is because the language employs a numeral structure where counting is done majorly in multiples after the basic numeral of one to ten. In all, this paper may not be as exhaustive, but it is hoped that the study have achieved its primary aim of providing a detailed description of the basic derivational processes in the Tiv numeral system in addition to helping upcoming researchers to appreciate the importance of this study in documentation of Tiv language.