CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The possession of language is one of the most important attribute that distinguishes humans from other lower animals. Therefore, the need to understand the nature of language that makes humans human can not be over emphasized. In the philosophy expressed in the myths and religions of many people, language is the source of human life and power. The Human society is characterized by various ways of communication such as signs and symbols.The Human language is the most important method or vehicle of communication through which humans express themselves. Sapir (1921) affirms that language is ―purely human, non-instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions and desires by means of voluntarily produced symbols‖ To the Tiv in Nigeria, words hold the power to deliver humans from ill-luck and foretell evil and even death. This illustrates that humans live in a world of language.

Fromkin et al (2011) is of the view that much is still unknown about the nature of human languages, their grammar and use and that the science of linguistics is chiefly concerned with exploring human language, hence investigations by linguists and the analyses of spoken languages date back to at least 1600 BCE in Mesopotamia. Fromkin op. cit. further posit that wherever humans exist, language exists; this is so because, the importance of language is essential to every aspect and interaction in our everyday lives. We use language to inform the people around us of what we feel, what we desire, and question/understand the world around us. We communicate effectively with our words, gestures, and tone of voice in a multitude of situation. Through language, people can connect with other people and make sense of our experiences, this means that there are no ―primitive‖ languages; all languages are equally complex and capable

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