A SOCIOLINGUISTIC IMPLICATION OF THE USE OF NIGERIAN PIDGIN AMONG HND II STUDENTS OF THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, NASARAWA

Date

2010-12-01

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Department of English Nasarawa State University Keffi.

Abstract

Sociolinguistics being the study of the relationship between language and social structure discusses Pidgin English as one of the varieties of language which is mostly used for an informal communication . Pidgin emerges when people from different language backgrounds need a means of verbal communication. No doubt, the use of Nigerian Pidgin English cuts across regions, ethnic groups, educational levels, professionals and ages. Pidgin has also assumed regional status : the Niger Delta Pidgin, the eastern Nigerian Pidgin, the western Nigerian pidgin, and the northern Nigerian Pidgin, background that this work examines the sociolinguistic analysis of Pidgin English as a means of an informal communication among HNDII students of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa. This by extension describes the varieties of the Nigerian Pidgin English in campuses. The work also discusses the etymology and various definitions of pidgin. The linguistic structure of pidgin is also explored with the notion that all languages involved contribute to the sounds, vocabulary . and the grammatical features of Pidgin. Thus, given the multiple varieties of languages available within the communicative repertoire of community like the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa and the subset of varieties available to its subgroups, an individual speakers must select the code and interaction strategy to be used in any specific context. We used the interviews as well as direct participatory observation methods to collect our data. Fishman's theory of domain analysis is adopted as the theoretical framework for this work. It accounts for description and explanation of the distribution of the means of communication. This work also provides answers to such questions as who speaks Nigerian Pidgin , to whom , where, and for what purpose? Various factors affecting the speaking of Nigerian Pidgin English as well as social functions of the Nigerian Pidgin English are also discussed. Suggestions and recommendations were also proffer towards the use of Pidgin English in Nigerian campuses. On the whole, this research concludes with the notion that the Nigerian Pidgin English is used as a means of an informal communication among students in Nigerian campuses, it equally has negative implications on the teaching and learning of standard English in our educational processes.

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Citation

A RESEACH TMESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POST GRADUATE S'i'UDlES, NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTEROF ARTS DEGREE (M.A ENGLISH).