Browsing by Author "Salisu, Muhammad Raj."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    AMBIGUITY IN SPOUSAL INTERACTIONS
    (Department of English Language, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2021-12-02) Salisu, Muhammad Raj.
    Language is a vehicle by means of which we effect communication. Communication can only be established when both the speaker and the listener have the same understanding of the words and sentences used in conversation. Consequently, this paper investigates ambiguity in the conversation of selected Nigerian couples in order to determine the effect of ambiguity in the interpretation of meaning in the conversations of such couples. It also examines how ambiguity impedes meaning negotiation in spousal interactions. This was achieved by purposively selecting data collected from the conversations of couples who are educated. These data were analyzed based on the constructivist model of communication. The analysis reveals that the ambiguity present in these situations results from the inability of the decoding spouse to effectively determine the encoding spouse's intended meaning, barring contextual communicative features. This study, therefore, concludes that ambiguity indeed .affects the interpretation of meaning in spousal interactions and greatly influences meaning negotiation which has capacity for spiking domestic tensions in marital relationship.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    DIALECT DISTANCE AMONG GBAGY1 DIALECTS: GBAGYI NGE-NGE AND GBAGYI NKWA
    (Department of English, Nasarawa State University Keffi, 2021-01-01) Amende, Charles A.; Akase, Tiav Thomas; Salisu, Muhammad Raj.
    This work examines dialect distance among Gbagyi dialects. Dialect distance connotes the degree of mutual intelligibility between dialects of the same language. The degree of mutual intelligibility however, relates to the extent of divergence between the dialects of Gbagyi language; and is measured by the degree of closeness in the writing system and pronunciation, coupled with high tendencies of cognacy between the dialects of the language. Mutuality breeds cordial relationship and understanding between speakers of a language, and its absence may often create problems in communication which may lead to misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and disintegration. This work therefore, examines the extent of dialect distance between two (2) dialects of Gbagyi language as they affect speakers of both dialects. The study is survey in nature; and findings reveal that mutual intelligibility exists between Gbagyi Nge-Nge and Gbagyi Nkwa dialects of Gbagyi language but the degree of mutual intelligibility is low. The study suggests a harmonization of the dialects for the standardization of the Gbagyi language.