Morphological Features of the Nouchi Language Code

Abstract

The influence of the complex sociolinguistic situation in Ivory Coast has brought about two contact varieties of the French language (the Ivorian variety of French and the Nouchi language code), which have acquired a number of unique features typical of the Ivorian linguaculture. The question of what morphological features are inherent to Nouchi, which formed as a result of the mutual influence of autochthonous languages and French within Ivory Coast, remains a subject of discussion. The aim of the study is to identify the morphological features of the Nouchi language code that distinguish it from the Ivorian variant of French and Standard French. The research has made it possible to specify the functions of the Nouchi language code within the context of new sociocultural trends in Ivorian society and to suggest a systemic description of Nouchi morphological features, providing a holistic understanding of this language code. It has been established that the morphological features of Nouchi result from the complex interaction of interference from autochthonous languages and the phenomenon of agrammaticality, arising from insufficient command of the standard variety of French. At the morphological level, the analysis has revealed systemic differences between Nouchi and Standard French, indicating a purposeful adaptation and restructuring of the grammatical system under the influence of autochthonous languages. The author systematizes the deviations manifested in the functioning of major parts of speech: the article (tendencies towards omission and unification of forms), the adjective (non-standard formation of feminine forms), the verb (deviations are observed across all categories), and the preposition (frequent omission). Specific morphological traits have been  identified, such as the semantic redistribution of the article functions (using the definite feminine article la exclusively to denote female persons), non-standard formation of plural noun forms, as well as specific features in the conjugation of verbs of non-French origin.