Reduplication is a word formation process where all or part of a word or phrase is repeated to create a new word or expression. In Nigerian Pidgin (Naija), reduplication is a common feature of everyday speech and serves various functions. This article explores the different types of reduplication found in Naija and examines the various functions they serve.

Types of reduplication

1. Full reduplication: This is when a base word is repeated with no other alterations or modifications. In full reduplication, the repeated element remains identical as the base word. Examples:
   • Abeg do di work sharp-sharp before oga come.
     • Please do the work quickly before the boss comes.
   • Drive small-small o. Road no good.
     • Drive gently. The road is not good.
   • Dem do mago-mago for di last election.
     • They rigged the last election.
2. Partial reduplication: This involves repeating only a portion of a word to create a new word or a different form of the same word. For example:
   • Ha voice just dey totori me as she dey sing.
     • Her singing makes me feel good.
   • No dey talk like didirin abeg.
     • Please stop speaking like a senseless person.
3. Ablaut reduplication: This is a type of reduplication where the vowel sound changes between repeated syllables, but the consonant(s) stay the same or similar. For example:
   • As she talk, di guy no waste time. E give am gbas-gbos.
     • As she spoke, the guy didn’t hesitate. He fired back.
   • I no dey do kurukere business.
     • I don’t do shady business.

Grammatical functions of reduplication

Reduplication plays a vital role in communication and meaning making. Below are the various grammatical functions of reduplication in Naija:

1. Emphasis: Reduplication is used to put emphasis on words, making them more intense. Examples:
   • Dem catch thief for awa area, beat am well-well.
     • They caught a thief in our area, and he was beaten seriously.
   • Help me sew di dress fine-fine.
     • Help me sew the dress nicely.
   • Come yer now-now!
     • Come here immediately!
2. Plurality: Adjectives can be reduplicated to mark plurals. Examples:
   • She get fine-fine pikin.
     • She has beautiful children.
   • Dese na ashewo-ashewo cloth.
     • These are skimpy outfits.
3. Gerund derivation: You can turn a verb into a noun by reduplicating it. Examples:
   • Dat man na follow-follow. E no fit think for imsef.
     • That man is a lackey. He can’t think for himself.
   • Na chop-chop kill dat woman.
     • It’s gluttony that killed that woman.
4. Adverbial derivation: Adjectives can be reduplicated to form adverbs. Examples:
   • Make yu run am fast-fast abeg.
     • Do it quickly please.
   • Sudden-sudden, na so war start.
     • Suddenly, a war broke out.
5. Continuity / repetition: It’s used to indicate that an action occurs continuously or repeatedly over a period of time. Examples:
   • She too like to dey waka-waka. She no dey stay one place.
     • She likes to gallivant. She doesn’t stay in one place.
   • Na talk-talk full dat meeting. Dem no even share food.
     • That meeting was all talk. They didn’t even provide refreshments.
   • Everyday, yu go dey cho-cho-cho. Yu no fit close mouth for one minute?
     • You blabber all day everyday. Can’t you keep your mouth shut for one minute?
6. Onomatopoeia / sound symbolism: Reduplication is used to mimic natural or repetitive sounds and motions. Examples:
   • Di food don finish kpata-kpata.
     • The food has finished completely.
   • As I dey waka for road, I enter poto-poto.
     • As I was walking along the road, I entered into a pool of mud.

Contributors: Mark Stevenson Fuo, Oluwademilade Adelaja