The Semantic Content of Hausa Collocation

Abstract

This paper examines the semantic content of Hausa collocation. Collocation refers to the habitual juxtaposition of a particular word with another word with a frequency greater than chance. In other words, collocation alludes to words that generally go together, even though; it is possible to use other word combination. Some of the semantic features found in Hausa collocation include combinations that contain collocators with denotative meanings, exemplified by Bugā }wallō, collocators in which one is denotative the other register, exemplified by hanīnīyar dōki and collocators in which one is denotative the other a taboo, exemplified by }arfe gudā.