Professor Michael Ochala, PhD
Professor of Linguistics, Kogi State University
Biography
Professor Michael Ochala has been a faculty member at Kogi State University since 1995. He earned his PhD in Linguistics from the University of Ibadan in 1992, with a dissertation on the tonal system of the Igala language. His research focuses on Igala phonology, morphology, and language documentation.
Research Interests
- Igala phonology and tonology
- Language documentation and revitalization
- Comparative Yoruboid linguistics
- Oral literature and folklore
Selected Publications
- Ochala, M. (2020). "The Tonal System of Igala: A Descriptive Analysis." Journal of African Languages, 45(2), 112-135.
- Ochala, M. (2018). "Igala Proverbs: A Window into Traditional Wisdom." In A. Adebayo (Ed.), Proverbs in African Languages (pp. 78-95). Ibadan University Press.
- Ochala, M. & Adama, J. (2015). "A Comparative Study of Igala and Yoruba Verb Systems." Studies in African Linguistics, 44(1), 23-48.
Conference Presentations
- "Digital Tools for Igala Language Documentation" - World Congress of African Linguistics, 2021
- "The Role of Tone in Igala Grammar" - Annual Conference on African Linguistics, 2019
- "Preserving Igala Oral Traditions" - Nigerian Languages Congress, 2018
Current Projects
- Igala-English Dictionary Project (Principal Investigator)
- Documentation of Igala Oral Traditions (funded by the Endangered Languages Documentation Programme)
- Development of Igala Language Learning Materials for Schools