Body-part terms in the grammar of Igbo

Abstract

This article examines the grammar of body-part terms in Igbo (Benue-Congo). We present an inventory of expressions used for body parts. The data show that Igbo has a large number of complex terms used for body parts. These nominal expressions involve associative constructions. We further explore the grammar of body-part phrases in terms of how they relate to spatial relations and fixed idioms. In addition to the associative construction which is commonly used in body-part expressions, we documented six other syntactic constructions that are used in body-part terms and expressions.