Reduplication na process to take form word, wey be sey we dey repeat all or part of word or phrase to create new word or expression. For Naija, reduplication na common feature of everyday speech and e dey serve various functions. Dis article go explore di different-different types of reduplication wey dey Naija and e go explore di various functions wey dem dey serve.

Types of reduplication

1. Full reduplication: Na wen dem repeat base word exactly as e be, wit no oda alteration or modification. For full reduplication, di word wey dem repeat no dey different from di original word. Examples:
   • Abeg do di work sharp-sharp before oga come.
   • Drive small-small o. Road no good.
   • Dem do mago-mago for di last election.
2. Partial reduplication: Na wen dem repeat only part of word to create new word, or to create different form of di same word. Examples:
   • Ha voice just dey totori me as she dey sing.
   • No dey talk like didirin abeg.
3. Ablaut reduplication: Na di kain reduplication wey be sey vowel sound go change for di repeated syllables, but di consonant(s) go still remain di same or almost di same. Examples:
   • As she talk, di guy no waste time. E give am gbas-gbos.
   • I no dey do kurukere business.

Grammatical functions of reduplication

Reduplication dey play important role for communication and for haw people dey make meaning. Below na di different grammatical functions of reduplication for Naija.

1. Emphasis: We dey use reduplication to put emphasis on top word, to make am more intense. Examples:
   • Dem catch thief for awa area, beat am well-well.
   • Help me sew di dress fine-fine.
   • Come yer now-now!
2. Plurality: We fit reduplicate adjectives to mark plurals. Examples:
   • She get fine-fine pikin.
   • Dese na ashewo-ashewo cloth.
3. Gerund derivation: Yu fit turn verb to noun wen yu reduplicate am. Examples:
   • Dat man na follow-follow. E no fit think for imsef.
   • Na chop-chop kill dat woman.
4. Adverbial derivation: Yu fit reduplicate adjective to form adverb. Examples:
   • Make yu run am fast-fast abeg.
   • Sudden-sudden, na so war start.
5. Continuity/repetition: We dey use reduplication to indicate sey action dey occur continuously or repeatedly over some time period. Examples:
   • She too like to dey waka-waka. She no dey stay one place.
   • Na talk-talk full dat meeting. Dem no even share food.
   • Everyday, yu go dey cho-cho-cho. Yu no fit close mouth for one minute?
6. Onomatopoeia/sound symbolism: We dey use reduplication take mimic natural or repetitive sounds and motions. Examples:
   • Di food don finish kpata-kpata.
   • As I dey waka for road, I enter poto-poto.

Contributors: Mark Stevenson Fuo, Oluwademilade Adelaja