Typology of sense relations in Olukhayo in the western region of Kenya

Resumo

This research endeavour sought to establish the typology of sense relations in the Olukhayo language from the dimension of lexical semantics.  Typically, the lexical semantics of sense relations in Olukhayo has not been explored in the preceding linguistic studies. This has consequently triggered the need to investigate the phenomenon.  In addition, there is scanty documentation of literature on this language; hence, the motivation for a study, specifically, on the semantic relations that define its lexis. The description of sense relations was informed by lexical priming theory. The study adopted the descriptive research design.  This approach is critical in dealing with qualitative data.  Ideally, it consists in providing systematic, descriptive and explanatory accounts of data, as is the case with categories or classes of lexical items. A representative sample of 384 informants was identified by use of purposive judgement, complemented by the snowball technique. Data extraction was done through the questionnaire instrument.  The data for analysis was drawn from the open class category of words. The analysis of data drew on the tenets of lexical priming theory.  Lexical items manifest or display certain links or networks that are semantically motivated.  The nature of such links illuminates semantic realities of collocations, semantic associations and colligations.  A careful scrutiny via thematic analyses of the nature of semantic interrelationships among the lexical items pointed to a number of lexical relations that characterise lexemes in Olukhayo.  They were identified, categorised and coded within the matrix of our research objective.  These were relations of synonymy, polysemy and antonymy, homonymy, hyponymy and metonymy. Lastly, the analysis of corpus data mirrored semantic features of collocations, colligations and semantic associations.  Indeed, lexical items display secondary senses besides their primary ones (sense extrapolation).  Lexical items in Olukhayo are hence characterised by a number of sense relations, as already noted.  Thus, it is important to recommend that literature materials are availed in Olukhayo and/orother languages by those with a passion for writing and publications.  Additionally, it is critical to appreciate the place and role of sense relations in vocabulary acquisition and teaching for effective pedagogical practices.