Dialect Variations the Enrichment of Standard Igbo Language: A Linguistic Study

Historically, many languages of the world evolved their standard forms through centralized control or political unity. Considering the decentralized natured of the Igbo unity, the dream evolving a standard form through much means, remains a mirage and unrealistic. Therefore, Igbo scholars are forced with the task of achieved this goal, we must used what we have to get what we want. In other words, we cannot enrich the evolving standard Igbo by using the dialectal variants in the language. Igbo dialectal variation and the dialect variants as synonyms, with comparative study of five dialects: Owerri, oguuta, Afikpo, Nnewi and Ngwa (ibeme) at the phonological, morphological and syntactic levels. The paper discuss the standard Igbo vis-a- vis dialects and meta-language as the tool for its enrichment which consist of the effect of dialectal variation, including the conclusion and recommendations made that rather than being a conclusive linguistic study on dialectal variation for the enrichment of standard Igbo, would serve as a stimulus for further intensive researches.


INTRODUCTION
Igbo language is among the three major languages officially recognized in the 1979 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria and in the national policy on education (1979: 1981).For Igbo language to attain the status of national language, it has been subjected to a series of transformations, which is a continuous process.The other two major languages; Hausa and Yoruba are not left out in this transformation process.
Igbo literary dialect was initially attempted by the missionaries who realized the importance of developing a pan-Igbo literary standard.However, this attempt recorded no success as it failed to include most dialects from various dialectal groups of Igbo land.With the appointment of the standardization committee in 1972, the society for promoting Igbo language and culture (SPILC) headed by F.C. Ogbalu decided on absorbing or borrowing vocabularies from diversified dialects both written and unwritten.Through the absorption of these vocabularies from various dialects of Igbo, the standard is enriched continuously through its dialect variants makes it possible for the language to be understood and written by every Igbo man irrespective of his dialectal group.
Moreover, for the Igbo to realize the federal Government policy concerning the use of three major languages, in teaching, learning and official correspondences, there is the need for Igbo terms to be expressed in different ways, and this is where the dialectal variants can be useful.Igbo language like most languages has numerous dialects.some of the foreign linguistics like J.F Schon 1841, koellen 1857, I. Gward 1935 etc who came to Igbo land regarded the multiplicity of Igbo dialect for academic pursuit.In this research work, the so called clog created by these dialect is rather reviewed as a very rich asset for the enrichment for Igbo lexico.Dialectal variants are now included into the standard Igbo, to serve as synonyms and sometimes as crucial basic lexical items in some areas.Where there is a vivid gap.In addition, there are many English terms which because of cultural differences do not have ready equivalents in Igbo language.Both with the existence of Igbo dialects variants, many English terms can now be represented with Igbo terms, through some linguistic processes such as borrowing, and Igbonization etc. dialectal words are now used to fill the gap created in areas like animals, plants geographical features and other non pan-Igbo phenomena.Examples of some dialectal lexicons that are indigenous to the standard Igbo presently and where there come from, as represented in Emenanjo (11) are listed below for: Dialectal variants provide relevant basic terms in area of phenomena peculiar to various parts of the culture as shown in the example above.The standard Igbo draws synonymous from all Igbo dialects, such synonymus as dudi etete, etc exist.These lexicons enrich the standard Igbo and also contribute to the realization of the Igbo and as a met language.
In summary, I can say that standard Igbo has come to stay.The task of increasing the repertoires of its lexical inventory for the purpose of becoming a veritable instrument for discourse in the modern technological world cannot be compromised.Attempts made by linguistic and non-linguistic, especially the missionaries towards developing pan-Igbo literary standard, before the formation of the "standard" created turned out to be artificial and therefore, could not stand the test of time.
Emenanjo, Quoted in Nwadike (8) categorized Igbo studies into four historical particular periods namely; the Isuama, period (1700-1885) the union period , the central period  and finally the standard Igbo period (1966-the present time).The isuama a dialect of Igbo spoken by the Igbo ex-slaves in sierra Leone was developed by the members of Niher mission led by Samuel Ajayi Crowther.The Isuama could not meet the requirements of a standard dialect, as a result of this, it was change to another formulated dialect called the "union".The union Igbo was developed by Archdeacon Thomas John Dennis, during his missionary work at Egbu near Owerri 1906.
As it was the case with Isuama, the union Igbo failed to be a literary standard due to the fact that most dialects of Igbo were neglected while few were used.Accordind to F.C.ogbalu, dialects used in the union included owerri, Onitsha, Arochukwu.Later, idaward published her book called ibo dialects and the development of another literary dialectal variants.
The central Igbo also failed to be accepted as a library standard because of its limitation on the use of dialectal variants.The above review shows that throughout those periods, the choice and development of a standard Igbo proved difficult to achieve, until the society for promoting Igbo language and culture (SPILC) came into the scene in 1949.The formation of standard or literary Igbo which was the brain child of the society for promoting Igbo language and culture (SPILC) started informally in 1966 (that is back to the post-Biafran experience) the period when large number of Igbo people were returning from various parts of Nigeria in anticipation of the Nigeria Biafran war.
By that period, many Igbo refugees dispersed into various parts of Igbo land in search of food and refuge.The process of this dispensation brought about the cross-fertilization and diffusion of dialects.For the fact that Isuama, union and central dialects could not accommodate the dialect variants of Igbo, they were neglected and this gave way to the formation of a standard Igbo which absorbs vocabularies from various Igbo dialects.
Finally, the above background of the existence of standard Igbo is necessary to the topic of discussion because it x-rays what motivated the search for a whole standard Igbo.And it lays its emphasis on the dialectal variation for its development instead of choosing a dialect to represent the standard.No speech community or linguistic group would want its language to be thrown away or neglected, while it spends fortune promoting foreign languages.After all, the language of a group is one of the factors which make it to be commission as quoted in Nwadike (8) noted the importance of the native language in those words.
"Native language is immensely more vital in that it is one of the chief means of preserving whatever that is good in native customs, ideals and ideals and thereby preserving what is more important than all these, namely Native self-respect….All people haves inherent right to their language.It is the means of giving expression to their own personality, however primitive they may be." As mention in the introductory part of this work, Igbo language is among the three national language policy recognized in the 1979 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.For it to assume the status of a formal language, a definite standard has to be created.Although it has been standardized long ago, there is the need for its lexical enrichment.The used of dialectal variant will go a long way to achieve this goal of enrichment.This can be done through teaching and learning.In educational institutions, teachers should be made to insist on the use of this recommended variant forms both in written and oral work.By using this variants in educational institutions, such a methodology would spread in the society and finally be popularized.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Researches carried over the years have shown that not much work has been done on the enrichment of standard Igbo through dialectal variants.However, scholars, including linguist and non-linguist have done remarkable researches on related topics such as Igbo language standardization, and the development of Meta language et cetera.In this section, we will try to discuss the views put forward by some eminent scholars on the topic.Generally in this work, we do not perceive the multiplicity of dialect in Igbo language as a problem, just like what the early missionaries thought it was.In this work, we rather look at the multiplicity of dialects as veritable instrument or assets for the development of the standard Igbo.Ferguson (17) recorded comment made by one of the missionaries, name section concerning his experience during his missionary work in Igbo land is worthy of note.In 1814, sechon expressed his disappointing during his encounter with the obi of Aboh, and had to say: "The dialects of the Igbo language on which I had bestowed so much labor in sierra Leone differs widely or totally from the spoken and understood in this part of the country.It never escape my observation, that a great diversity of dialects existed, but I must blame myself for not making stricter enquires about that which would be most useful for the present occasion." In our own view and perhaps those of most Igbo scholars, no dialect would have been useful for the occasion as lamented by the missionary, that the present day standard Igbo.And the present day standard Igbo is the one that is devoid of discrimination among dialectal groups.The standard igbo, which is widely accepted in the sense that it makes used of the dialectal variants, which abound in Igbo language is great relevance to the speakers.
" Emenajo (17) observes (that like other languages) Igbo ha a number of mutually intelligible dialects.Even though the multiplicity of Igbo dialects was sometimes regarded as a liability, right now it is been treated as a rich assets for purposes of synonyms and new words in standard Igbo." As a matter of necessity standard Igbo has to make use of the multiplicity of dialects in order to increase its lexicon repertoire, language naturally is dynamic, Igbo language is not left out in this dynamic.Therefore, it is pertinent that new ideas and concepts are introduced into the lexicon of the language, and this can be achieved, through the use of dialectal variants.According to Ogbalu(11) "any language that has any pretence to growth must have to be enriched.In addition, Ogbalo (21) suggests that: "Language planners should direct their energy to the provision of adequate vocabulary to cater for ideas and technological innovations of the modern world.This could be done by agreement on forms of loan words, provision of glossaries, dictionaries containing new technical terms and accepted forms of old ones." Borrowing from the foreign languages, which however is a "since quanon" to Igbo language modernization should not be given much priority over our natural resource.Igbo language scholars and planners are charge to move into the remotest parts of Igbo land and extract lexicons that would be useful to the realization of a definite standard Igbo.It is high time; scholars used what we have, to get what we want.
"Yet anyagham (3-4) is of a view that: The right thing is to enrich our indigenous language.Using a foreign language does not only retard the growth of our indigenous language but has other side effects.Using it result in the concept not being well understood and the application being difficult if not possible.These concepts are invariably clothes in the language used.This simply means that where a language is foreign the student scientist for instance must battle with the language first and then the concepts after which follows the application.When the student scientist master language and concepts, the dissemination of idea is again impeding by the same language barrier and instead of the scientific advancement of the nation he actually becomes and energy sink…" The above quotation point out that the standard or literary Igbo needs enrichment since it is the only medium of knowledge acquire in school and outside that can be meaningful to people who would enjoy the benefits of such acquired knowledge.Soyinka (61) while presenting a paper at the FESTAC 77 in Lagos was in support of this language enrichment and had to report that one of the resolutions of the 2nd congress of Negro writer and artist in Rome in 1959 is that: "A term of linguistics be instructed to enrich this one Africa language as rapidly as possible with the terminology for the expressing of modern philosophy science and technology." To any Igbo scholars, no other "one African language" is referred to here, than the Igbo language or it is better to say, the standard Igbo.Although borrowing terminologies from other languages would help in the development of a fertile standard Igbo, yet it would be more dignifying, if we draw vocabularies from the abundant resource and enrich the standard Igbo.F.C. Ogbalu (66) in his observation had to say that:

"Examine the different dialects closely, one notices easily wealth of common vocabulary, common behavior and characteristics of the Igbo parts of speech which would form a veritable basis of a standard Igbo. Igwe (15) contributing, added that… the general idea is to make used of the money dialects and assign prices meanings of word, while returning international symbol and terminologies, as far as possible."
Regarded growth in Igbo language development can be attributed to the fact that over the years, the studies on Igbo language development had not attached much importance to utilize the various dialects in Igbo language Nwachukwu (67) argues That:

"…the idea of insisting on a standard form is to provide authoritative reference point for Igbo by way of grammar and dictionaries. In order to prevent the process of standardization from shifting the language the gate should be open for influx of lexical items, from other dialects into the standard Igbo…"
Present day Igbo scholars are now faced with the enormous taste of collecting these lexical resources from the vast dialects of Igbo, so that Igbo language would not be left out in the current wave of technological development.Ogbalu (64) observed, during the third seminar on Igbo language and culture standardization elements in Igbo language that: "Dialectal variations are now peculiar to the Igbo language but they certainly militate against its quick development and its daily use as a medium of mass communication… a truly standard Igbo eventually emerge as did the laniys English England." To summarize this section, it is rope that the dream of having an enrich standard Igbo will be realized.Although it will take time.Above all, researchers in Igbo studies should be encouraged to accomplish this task.

Factors of Differnation in Dialectal Variation
Igbo dialects vary from one another, as a matter of fact, the speech of one dialectal group is distinct from that of the other group.However, the difference between two or more neighboring dialects may be outstanding or not.Some of the factors of differentiation include geographical, migration, social factors, etc.

Geographical Factors
As we have said earlier, the speech of a particular dialectal group, say Oguta: differs at least slightly from that of any other locality, for example, Nnewi.Differences existing between neighboring local dialects are usually small.In contrast, moving further in the same direction, differences widen.It is also important to note that every dialectal feature has its own boundary of line, called an Isogloss may indicate geographical obstacles that may hinder the easily diffusion of a number of language modernization such of a number of language modernization such obstacles may include sea, mountain, rivers etc.

Migration
When a particular group of speech community moves from one location to another, it moves along with its own dialect.For instance, people from say Nsukka migrating to Owerri, are supposed to notice some innovations, in their dialect after sometime.This affects the other groups dialect too and this equally brings about changes in phonological, morphological and syntactic features of the dialect.

Social Factors
Social strata are very important factors of differentiation.Dialectal differences are somehow connected with social classes.It may be on educational or professional levels.Those who are educated or highly educate and those in a higher social class tend to use what may be called a "refined" dialect.This dialect is contrasted with what speakers in the locality use.To buttress this point further, one usually notices that a student in a higher institution finds it difficult to speak his local dialect because of the influence of his education, in contrary, a speaker who lives within the locality maintains the local dialect without being influence otherwise.Social classes (education or professional encourage innovation in dialects) thereby causing differences in dialects.

Igbo Dialectal Variation
Language is a body of articulated sounds or better still, according to Bloch and Targer (17) a system of arbitrary vocal symbols by means of which social group co-operates.Language is constantly changing in sound (morphology and syntax).The history of pronunciation of an individual word is constantly affected by the influence of sound change.These changed are applicable to dialects.

A Close Examination of Igbo Dialects Reveals Four Important Features
There is a large vocabulary which is common to all dialects to the extent that any dialect could be tested as to know whether it is Igbo or not.To prove this, the under listed item are understood by every Igbo speaker.In conclusion, it is obvious from the avove lexical samples, that there must be standardization in spelling and forms of these dialect variants through agreement.This agreement could result from formulated rules of spelling when one comes across a new vocabulary.In such cases where different words are used for a particular concept, these words should be simply accepted as synonyms.By accepting and not jettisoning any word found in the language we are enriching it.

Dialectal Variants as Synoyms
Words and expressions from different dialectal group, which are completely different in the phonological arrangement, serve as synonyms below are collected from the working list.These variants play important role in building a standard dictionary, as well as providing materials for literary works, for instance in the present day literary advancement invariable facilitate phonological, morphological and syntactic analysis of the language.Finally, these variants as enrichment factory place Igbo language near, if not at the same level, with that language that has been long standardized.

METHODS
In this research work, different methods are used and they include consultation, of primary and secondary source materials.In primary source, visits and consultations are carried out to individuals and institutions.The following institutions are visited: private, public and school libraries.National institute for Nigerian languages Aba, was also visited.Individuals consulted include lecturers, students and academics, especially those in the language studies.
The secondary source includes extensive review of books, desertions, these and seminar papers.Oral interviews are also conducted.Former Imo state word list of 200 basic words compiled by Iche P.A. Ezikeojiaku is dialectal variants are also collected from educated subjects from the selected dialectal groups.Although from the little interview made within students, some of them feel relevant to pronounce what a particular word is call in their dialect, to avoid being ridiculed by others?But after some persuasion, a few of them responded positively.But, the wealth of this data is collected from rural dwellers who pronounced the forms in their original settings.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Comparative Study of Five Dialects: Owerri, Afikpo, Oguta, Ngwa and Nnewi The dialectal variants in this essay have been randomly chosen from five speech communities in Igbo land, namely; owerri, oguta, afikpo, nnewi and Ngua.However, the dialectal not collected in this data (see appendix).Rather they are intended to serve a source point for the analysis in this chapter.In selecting the five dialects, some care has been taken to ensure that each dialectal group in Igbo land is represented.For instance, afikpo (ehugbo) and Nnewi represents the south-eastern dialects, and Oguta represents the riverine Igbo dialects.These classifications are made by Ezikeojiaku in his consception of dialectal distribution in Igbo land.
Furthermore, some linguistics has done commendable work of these dialects of Igbo.Welmers (46) describe the `central Igbo` which is seen as consisting of dialects spoken in Owerri and Umuahia arrears.In Oluikpe (1), survey of Ngwa dialect is made.Although the main work centered on the grammar he under took to breakdown the various variants of Ngwa dialect into groups.Ugw (34) did some work on phonological features of the northern Igo dialects.
Elugbe ( 22) carries a comparative work on Edoid.Armstrong (76) studies a group of five Igbo dialects, Far East of the river.The vocalic and consonantal, features of the five dialects are examined and the wordlist compared in addition ubahakwu ( 123 These grouped dialects (main dialects) are further classified into variants, which she describes as the satellites.In the data (see appendix) collected, the dialectal variants reveal some level of phonological, morphonological and syntactic variations, which form the focus of our further discussion.

Phonological Analysis
Every language uses a wide range of utterances with resultant phones that exist in the vocal and auditory system of human body.Phonology as defined by franklin and Rodma (101), is "the term used to refer to the kind of knowledge that speakers have about the sound patterns of their particular language.In other word, phonology is the study of speech sounds in a language.This section of the essay is therefore concerned with the comparison of the phonological patterns and variations which exist within the selected dialectal groups in Igbo land, Owerri, Oguta, Afikpo, Nnewi and Ngwa (ibeme) dialects.
In studying the dialectal variants, one notices a wide range of variations in the consonant and vowel segments.The five dialects variants maintain eight viwel system while Afikpo (Ehugbo) dialect is distinguished from the other four by having a nine-vowel system (this is found in words like Eka (hand), Ehia market).These vowels are represented thus: In Afikpo (Ehugbo) dialect, the vowel /e/ is not an allophone of the vowel /e/. it belongs to the set referred to as (expanded).The use of the vowel /e/ is very common in other Northern Igbo dialects namely-Ukwali, Nsukka etc. while owerri or Oguta realize (ahia) or (afia) for market, the Afikpo (Ehugbo) realizes (ehihia), for `weed` Ehugbo realizes (ehihia) while Nnewi and Ngwa (Ibeme) realize (affia) and (ahihia) respectively; more example can be seen in the data.Within the dialectal variants selected the under listed consonantal phonemes abound.But their application varies from one dialect variant to another.Close back rounded vowel, e.g.[ugwu] (-hill) as in the five dialects.

Plosive
The Igbo grammar generally maintains a vowel harming except in some compound words.This is also applicable to the five dialects fron which data were collected for analysis.However, the vowel /a/ of the narrow set interchanges with the vowel /e/ of the wide set.The vowel chart below illustrates this point clearly.

Consonant Elision
Consonant in Igbo is prominent in Igbo dialects that make first speeches of ulteances.This is also true of vowels for instance, in Ngwa (Ibeme) dialect [miri] which is realized by eliding the first syllable nasal (m).but in other dialects, example oguta and owerri, water is realized as (mmiri).Moreover, as dialects grow, certain segments are elided.For instances [nwa] in (nwaimkpi} as realized in owerri dialects, has long been elided in other dialects and they realize [mkpi] (he-goa).In oguta and Nnewi, the second consonant segment /r/ is elided in [agbogho] this (agb)))

Nasalization
Nasalization occurs when the pronunciation of certain consonant segments are associated with a nasal `twang` for instance.In oguta, owerri, and Ngwa (Ibeme) we have [ezi] (pig).In Ngwa (Ibeme) `wooden` shovel is realized as [mbozu) as opposed to [mbazu] in other dialects.

Aspiration
Case of aspiration is common in the data collected.But we have examples such as [akwha] `egg` found among the five dialects.And [aturu] `sheep` found among five dialects.

Palatalization
This feature is not common in data.There are examples such as [bia] `come` as in Ngwa (Ibeme) dialects and (Libya) as in other four dialects.Another example is (iji) friend as in oguta.Finally, it is important to note the attention of the liguids Ir1/ and the voiced alveolar nasal (n) in Nnewi dialect.In certain segments where [I] occurs in other dialects [n] is used in Nnewi and oguta dialects.Example [ana] and [ani] [land] respectively.In another example, [uguru] [harmattan] in other dialects, varies to ugulu in nnewi.

Morphological Analysis
Morphological in linguistics describe the internal construction of words, it is the formation of word; or the study of forms of words and used derivation.The morpheme on the other hand, the smallest meaningful grammatical unit.The smallest meaningful grammatical element in Igbo dialects are affixes [that] is,prefix, suffix, and intermix], enclitics and tonal morphemes affixes are, usually inbound in verbal forms in the analysis.We will limit the work only on prefixes and the suffixes as they occur in the working data.

The Prefixes
There are used to derived nouns form verbs and other nominal.In fact it has been observed that most, if not all nouns in Igbo are derived from verbs.For instance, [ochendu] [umbrella] realized in oguta, may be formed by prefixing

The Suffixes
In word and syntactic construction of most Igbo dialects, suffixes take crv] etc in certain segments.Example, owerri dialect.Realizes

Semantic Variation
Semantic variation occurs in a word like [idere] realizes in oguta as [crocodile] but means-another example is [mfu] realized in Ngwa [ibeme] dialects to mean an opening where rabbit escapes.

Syntactic Analysis
This describes rule for the realization of sentences.Some simple sentence in igbo grammar are generated through subject, verb, object, [SVO] word

The Standard Igbo Vis-A-Vis Dialect
Standard language of any speech community as opposed to the dialects is dialect which has been transformed into written form and used officially, in education, administration, et cetera throughout a distant area than that of the dialect which is recognized locally.When the standard dialect is used broadly in administrative matters, literature, economic, social life, and so on, it minimizes the occurrence of linguistic variation.The social prestige attached to the standard language nationally and internationally, makes it necessary for every linguistic community to have one for identity.In the realization of this noble goal of having a standard dialect, Igbo scholars have been committed themselves to molding out one from the diversified dialects of the language.Since the period (period when thought for creation of an acceptable standard Igbo standard).
Presently, for the Igbo language to be rated a standard dialect, it has to be rich with dialectal resources, which abound within it, to facilitate mutual interaction among dialectal groups.By so doing every dialectal group would have a sense of belonging or share in the standard form.This situation is different when one dialects dominates the "said standard form" as was the case with union Igbo in which the Onitsha conicha) dialect dominated other dialects.
The creation of standard Igbo as one of the stages in language development makes for unity among the diversified dialectal group of the Igbo land.It is of immense be benefit to the service of political, economic, social and religious groups.Moreover, its importance in the area of publishing, printing, and teaching, examination, in national and international issues cannot be over looked.
Politically, standard Igbo which is enriched with dialectal resources of the language encourages acceptability and mutual indelibility among speakers in a political area.Whenever any political issues are raised or discussed, there would be mutual intelligibility among the speakers of the same language, dialectal variation, not with standing.For instance, the use of standard Igbo would enable a speaker of Ehugbo dialect, for example in executing political participation among speakers of the same language, bnt diversified dialect groupings.
Standard Igbo creates wealthy ground for economic growth among its speakers, most linguistic communities of the world, with standard language experience, have high economic growth because it enable effective, communication in business transaction.Coming home, for example, a speaker of Ngwu (Ibeme) dialect, who is competent in using standard form of the language transacts business effectively with speaker of Oguta or Idemili dialect, without facing much difficulties associated with dialectal differences.
Socially, language as defined by scholars is the vocal system through which social groups interact with one another.Considering this definitions, one may ask how Igbo speakers interact with each other with without straining their ears, due to dialect differences.The creation of standard form, which enables one dialectal group to socialize effectively with another, without being ridiculed answer the above question.
In religious matters, standard Igbo has contributed a lot ( it is true that it has not been fully enriched).The Bible which was written in Igbo before the existence of the standard Igbo proved difficult to read and therefore made understanding the message difficult.Presently, religious materials written with one or more forms taken from their respective dialects.And this makes for an easy understanding.
In teaching, standard Igbo is introduced to facilitate mutual intelligibility between the teacher and the student.Without the standard Igbo, teaching and learning would be relatively difficult, since the teacher may come from a different dialect area, which uses distinguishing tonal system different form that used by his students.
Nationally and internationally standard language is very useful, not only to the Igbo speakers but to other ethnic groups at large.Apart from having other linguistic groups, Igbo language, that is the standard form, identifies the speaker nationally or internationally.Finally, the use of dialectal variants in enriching the standard Igbo, will not only enhance Igbo language development but will curb dialectal prejudices among Igbo language speakers.

Metalanguage As A Tool For Its Enrichment
In modern linguistic discourse, a metalanguage is used for the discussions about a language and every aspect of cultural norms and its development.As defined by Hartman stirk (40), metalanguage is: the language or set of symbols of another language".In standard Igbo, these symbols are used to represent items which lack common words in all dialectal groups and also to represent foreign language terminologies used in the standard Igbo for teaching and learning.In other words, metalanguage constitutes all the new words which contribute to the enrichment of lexicon. in language for the discussions of Igbo in Igbo in Igbo in particular and other languages in general.It includes the conglomeration of all technical or specialized terminologies for describing everything in that language.
Language is dynamic, so is metalanguage.Metalanguage stretches its tentacles to meet up with the shortcoming of the past, present and future.It is a process that makes time to realize.The introduction of metalanguage as a tool for Igbo language enrichment is further necessitated, since government has suggested that Igbo language be among the language used as medium of instruction in the lower levels of formal education, and also the teaching of the subject at the higher levels of education.
For the past decades, there has been commendable effort from different quarters and individual to develop Igbo through the metalanguge.notable among these groups are the Igbo standardization committee (ISC), the society for promoting Igbo language and culture (SPILC), the Nigerian Educational Research Development council (NERDC), much success has been recorded, as a materials included Nnaji (1985) and Halliamson (1972) ed.The Nigerian Educational research development Council (NERDC), with the assistance of the society for promoting Igbo language and culture (SPTLC) have compiled a large number of terminologies in the Igbo metalanguage (1978), (1990), (1991) to cater for the effective teaching and learning.Some of these items are randomly selected for clarity.They include: Presently, igbo language can be used in describing itself and other fields of study such as science and technology, history, literature, social science and the like.Finally, with expansion of its lexical inventory, standard Igbo and embrace the many facets of culture contact, thereby bridging the gap between Igbo culture and other cultures.Standard Igbo is still in the race for less interims like other standard languages hence metalanguage serves as a tool necessary for its enrichment.Dialectal variation, as said earlier, in this work, occurs in a language hence there are differences in phonology, morphology, syntax as well as vocabulary in each dialects of such a language.Considering the effects of dialectal variation, it is important to discuss the positive and negative effects which characterize it.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The words of some scholars so far in igbo dialect variation have shown that Igbo language is fortunate to have many variables which include consonants, vowels, vocabularies, derive from its diversified dialects.Unlike other languages that developed their standard forms through the imposition of the dialect of the central authority or that of the capital.For example, the Igbo language has no other means or source of developing.For example, the Igbo language has no ther means or source of developing an acceptable standard form than making use of the available dialectal resources.This is achieved by retaining the attaching definite meaning on such variants to reflect connotative terms.Moreover, the existence of different words in the diversified dialects, meaning the same concept, makes for the availability of synonyms.
[effie] in oguta and Nnewi, [ehihie] in Ehugbo and [owu] in Ngwa (Ibeme) dialects.When all these resources are injected into the standard Igbo and utilize, it would be better appreciated and recognize.It is pertinent to state here that the other era, when we allowed European and other linguistic scholars such as I.C ward, R.F.G.Adams, professor waterman, M.M. Green and a host of other who visit Igbo land to fashion out a literary form and engage in Igbo language studies for us has gone.The onus of utilizing these dialectal resources in molding an acceptable standard Igbo, rests squarely with the Igbo scholars (linguistic and non linguistic) as rightly observed by leith-Ross in afigbo (373) that "the ultimate future of the language must be lie in the hands of the Igbo himself".it is true that Igbo language is dialectal river.The same problem was applicable to most linguistic communities before they were able to develop a literary standard form and now enjoying national and internal recognition.
Even those languages such as Hausa, and Yoruba which have evolved standard forms, still show large traces of dialect variation.Finally, it is hope that this research work, rather than being a conclusive linguistic study on dialectal variation for the enrichment of standard Igbo, would serve as a stimulus for further intensive researches.

FURTHER STUDY
This research still has limitations so further research needs to be done on the topic "Dialect Variations the Enrichment of Standard Igbo Language: A Linguistic Study." ) discusses dialects are to Igbo speakers.Ikekeonwun (55) attempts a classification of dialects into five groups, using syntactic and phonological criteria.They are as follows: a.The Niger Igbo (NI) b.Inland west Igbo (IWI) c.Inland East Igbo (IEI) d.Waawa Igbo/ Northern Igbo (wI) e. Riverine Igbo (RI)
arrangement.For instance, owerri and Ngwa [Ibeme} realizes o+bara +aba [he is wealthy] represented thus: [ba/ta]-possess [rv] suffix and thus [rv] unlike other construction dose not depict past tense form it shows aspect rather.The [_rv] suffix varies to [-lv] in Nnewi dialect.The above syntactic construction varies o[nwa] eku in Ehugbo dialect [he is wealthy] in the data syntactic construction, thus, Onwookpogho [he has mone] as realize in ehugbo, and o Nwere ikpeghe.As in Ngwe [ibeme] despite the vowelvariation [o-] [i-o] [o-] [a-=] and the elision of [-rv] suffix in Ehugbo seem to be [ognatees] considering the structure of the construction in such construction above, oguta dialect use [here in place of [where] as used by other dialects -Example onw ere ego as in owerri and o nere ego as in owrri Nnewei.Finally, the analysis is however limited because it is base on the 20 [twenty]basic vocabulary and some culture items adopted, used in the Imo state University [EZIKEOJIAKU} [1982 and known as imo state University basic word used in this essay.The researcher purposely limited the number to 20 [twenty for convenience.

Table 1 .
Examples of Some Dialectal Lexicons

Table 2
Thirdly, it is noted that variants have at times the same form and meaning but with variations in consonant segments, for example:

Table 7
It is presume that since Afikpo (Ehugbo) shares a common border with the Northen Igbo dialects, that make use of /e/ in Ehugbo vowel system.[i]Closedfrom unrouded vowel, e.g (ikuku) (breeze) found in owerri and Nnewi.Itt is realized as (akuku) in oguta (ihuhe) in Ehugbo and ufufe in Ngwa (Ibeme).Here is a case of both consonant k,f,h and vowel variation I,a,v at the initial syllable and lu,e/ at the final syllable.

Table 8 .
Selected for Clarity