Walsh (1967), cited in Ogu (1992) & Ajani (2007), was the first to identify and acknowledge the existence of certain peculiarities in the form and functions of English among the Lagos educated elite, especially those returning after university education in England. Such observations caught the surprise attention of Walsh probably because it demonstrated form and functions least expected of such returnees. Walsh (cf Ogu 1992:88) noted that “The varieties of English spoken by educated Nigerians, no matter what their language, have enough features in common to mark off a general type, which may be called Nigerian English”
While Walsh acknowledged compelling influences from indigenous languages, he added that the peculiarities in form and functions are representative of a sub-system. Walsh may have identified the features from the educated variety, evidence from other uneducated varieties abound. From educated to uneducated varieties, those peculiarities have now grown; constituting the bulk of what is
…show more content…
It is no longer a language used for specific occasion. It has become a first and/or second language for several million in and outside Nigeria. The fact that English is the language of education, media, governance, and business necessitate such progression. Adegbite (2004) also corrobates Gorlach’s assertion that English in Nigeria has progressed from interethnic lingua franca into entire domains of the society. Danladi (2003:6), however, caution that, although English has become important in the entire aspects of the society, there are varying degree of competence and performance. According to Adegbite (2004:25), in such cases, and among other functions, ‘English should provide an expected co-coordinating role as a way of inter-ethnic and international
Krishnan, M. (2012). Mami Wata and the occluded feminine in Anglophone Nigerian-Igbo literature. Research in African Literatures, 43(1), 1-18. doi:10.2979/reseafrilite.43.1.1
8) McDavid, Raven I., Jr. “Dialectology: Where Linguistics Meets the People.” The Emory University Quarterly XXIII (Winter, 1967), 219.
Language and dialects as unintelligent and not beautiful. Folk linguistics can be visible when comparing Standard English and African American language. Some individuals
This essay will explore a range of topics in relation to talking about Englishes rather than English and multi-literacies rather than literacy. Firstly the evolution of English; the origins, influences and current English that we use. Then focusing on social class and the effects of an individual’s social class on education; through the exploration in particular of Bernstein’s theory of language codes. Then discussing Englishes and how there can be many Englishes rather than one English language, and how this occurs when English is used as a global language. (Crystal REFERENCE) Aboriginal English is discussed, as it is relevant to teaching in Australia. Recognising the differences in learning and language between Aboriginal Children and non-aboriginal
According to the book, A History of Nigeria (2008), Nigeria is historically unique for three different reasons. First, it was found that there had been a high level of migration from the Northern part of Nigeria to the Southern part due to the Savanna. Second, humans within the regi...
In schools, the English language was taught. This shows how the British spreading the religion and education led to an increase in Nigerians being able to read and speak English.
Finegan, Edward,."Language :its structure and use" Edward Finegan, David Blair and Peter Collins. 2nd ed. N.S.W : Harcourt, Brace & Co., c1997
“As in many places in Africa, the growing cities of Nigeria at first are divided by ethnicity. Benin City for example, has a city government that operates under the national government, but also has sections of the city, each of which dominates a single group and led by chieftain of that group. As the cities develop, these societal isolations tend to disappear; now the cities are blending the old African societies and replacing them with national identities.” (Moss 383)
The culture of Nigeria is multi-ethnic and consists of three large ethnic groups. These groups are the Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani, and the Igbo. The people of Nigeria still hold their traditional languages, music, and dance closely and may differ from ethnic group to ethnic group. Although English is considered to be Nigeria’s official language, only fifty percent of the population can speak it. This is contributed to the fact of the different amount of tribes, and generally, every tribe has its own language (Boomie).
What is culture? Culture refers to the cumulative deposit of knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes, meanings, hierarchies, religion, notions of time, roles, spatial relations, concepts of the universe, and material objects and possessions acquired by a group of people in the course of generations through individual and group striving
prevalent within a single dialect, a single national language or a single group of social language. It is one of the most significant “modes in the historical life and evolution of all languages … [and] language and languages change historically primarily by means of hybridization” (Bakhtin, 2011, 358). The conscious hybridization, on the other hand, is an intentional hybrid that is primarily applied as “an artistic device” (Bakhtin, 2011, p. 358). Bakhtin (2011) defines these hybrid constructions
It has been adopted by different sectors making it one of the most used languages in the globe. This has been attributed to its effective nature, easy learning and rich history. However, conservative groups exist who argues that there should be global language since it may cause the emergence of superior cultures. Nevertheless, it is evident that different cultures ranging from the early polish immigrants, the African American community, the advertising and media will greatly benefit from the globalization of the English language. This will prove in the end that English is indeed a global
Even though there are advantages as well as disadvantages, the need for international language for communication, politics, economics and security is necessary and English is the best “language candidate” for that function. English is a language spread all over the world and it is used by millions and millions of speakers. According to my opinion, people should use English as a tool to communicate with all cultures but every country must keep their culture and language is a great part of it. In conclusion, language defines identity of a country and everyone should keep their language and explore others.
In a sociolinguist perspective “the idea of a spoken standardized language is a hypothetical construct” (Lippi-Green, 2012, pp. 57). They are the form of Britain English and American English that are used in textbooks and on broadcasting. Giles and Coupland observe that “A standard variety is the one that is most often associated with high socioeconomic status, power and media usage in a particular community” (1991, p. 38). Both native speakers and learners of English, where English is taught as a second or foreign language (hereafter ESL/EFL), speak dialect of English in everyday conversation (Kachru, 2006, pp. 10-11; Owens 2012, p.
It can be seen that English has become a global language, which is determined by lots of factors like history, culture and daily usefulness. Because of these factors, the number of people who speak English is still increasing now. English, as a significant part of social life gradually exerted profound impacts on education, job hunting and international communication. Also, it provides the whole world with a chance to share ideas and communicate freely. We are quite curious to see the further development of English as a lingua franca in the