CONSTRUAL-BASED CLASSIFICATION OF IGBO VERBS

Abstract

Experiential verbs are generally verbs that are used to code or give expression to our inner psychic processes or emotions. The Igbo verbs of this group were first noted by Uwalaka (1988) who also drew attention to a form of alternation in their construction which she called ‘subjectobject-switching’ (SOS). While agreeing with Uwalaka’s identification, this paper further builds upon and delineates Uchechukwu (2007) by explicitly advocating the Cognitive Grammar  concept of construal as a tool for identifying and exploring the Igbo experiential verbs. In other 
words, there is a particular perspective that is peculiar to Igbo experiential verbs, a predominantly patient-oriented perspective. The paper concludes by advocating for the recognition of this perspective as an instrument for the study of aspects of the semantics of Igbo verbs in general.