Semantic Extension and Re-duplication in Speeches of Final Year Students of the Department of English Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa Campus

Abstract

This work studied the aspects of semantic extension and re-duplication in speeches of selected students of English Department, Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa Campus. The objective is to identify some long-observed use of Semantic extensions and re-duplication in the student's use of English. The instrument in collecting data was observation with voice recording from thirty final year students. The study adopts Halliday’s Systemic Functional Grammar Theory as a framework for analyzing the descriptive use of language without following the traditional grammar model which was Prescriptive. The findings revealed that semantic extensions and reduplication are mostly used by the speakers to express themselves and show flexibility of the English Language. Though semantic extension and re-duplication can be used in speech intentionally and unintentionally, where the speaker does not know that the words used express the same meaning. It concludes that semantic extension of meaning of a word or sentence occurs to shift away from the dictionary meaning and the repetition of words to create emphasis or to prove a point in a conversation without changes the original intention of the speakers.