THE ROLE OF NIGERIA PIDGIN ENGLISH IN HIGHER INSTITUTION

THE ROLE OF NIGERIA PIDGIN ENGLISH IN HIGHER INSTITUTION (A CASE STUDY OF CROSS RIVER UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY)

ABSTARCT

The study examined the role of Nigerian Pidgin English in higher institutions with particular reference to students of Federal University Dutsinma. The research employed the monogenetic/reflexification theory and the data was gathered through the use of questionnaires and observation techniques. The analysis was based on the nature of the question asked as frequencies were generated and anaysed in simple percentages. The findings reveal that most students use Nigerian Pidgin however, not in formal settings such as lecture halls. In addition, the findings show that the Nigeria Pidgin English has effects on the students. This study concludes that the use of Pidgin in formal setting should be discouraged since it has not been given recognition. Its usage within the institution is affecting the students’ academic performance.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Background to the Study

One of the most important differences between man and animal is man’s ability to speak and make others understand. as such, Language is central to human existence. The relationships between humans are molded by the language they speak. It enables them to communicate their feelings and emotions to one another. This is why Edward Sapir says “language is a purely human and non-instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions and desires by means of voluntarily produced symbols” (8).

On the other hand, Bloch and Trager state that language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols by which a social group cooperates (5).  Henry Sweet also views language as the expression of ideas by means of speech sounds combined into words. Words are combined into sentences, this combination answering to that of ideas into thoughts. (8).

From the above definitions, three words stand out “human”, “expression”, and “communication”. The word human implies that only human beings use language as a means of communication. Animals do communicate using sounds but their communication is certainly different from human language and is not language.  According to Akindele and Adegbite language is a human phenomenon that has form which can be described in terms of units of sound (phonemes), word, morphemes, phrases, sentences and paragraphs or discourse” (1).

This definition shows that language has often been identified as the most unique attribute of man. It is through language that human beings grasp and understand reality and transmit it from one generation to another. This view is buttressed by Blakar who affairs that “we actually live and behave in a world of language” (4). Victoria Fromkin and Robert Rodman cited Noam Chomsky saying that when we study human language, we are approaching what some might call the human essence. Chomsky’s emphasis is on the important of language to human existence. Language is very important to every human being and without language, there won’t be communication.

Languages of the world did not just come out from the blues but they have their different origins. This is not different from pidgin language. Pidgin language can be traced to contact situations involving people who speak different languages and do not understand each other’s language. This is why contact situation such as trade, immigration, tourism, etc. requiring communication and the need to reach an understanding, gave rise to pidgin. Pidgin has been called contact, trade or auxiliary languages. According to David Jowit, several people including linguists have in the past viewed pidgin languages as “debased” and “inferior” spoken by people of “low minds (12)”. Today however, the trend has changed and the language has become an important part of sociolinguistic study deserving recognition and attention as any other speech system.

 Pidgin English came into existence since the coming of the white. The coming of the white man to Africa really changed a lot of culture, languages, norm, and ethnics in Africa. Pidgin English started during the colonial era, then, it was very necessary for Africans to understand the Whiteman’s language in other to be able to function in the society. The growth of pidgin was enhanced by the abolition of slave trade which made many slaves regain their freedom. When the slaves found themselves in places like Freetown, Liberia etc. by then, they had no language of communication therefore, they mixed their different languages which formed the pidgin language. Considering the fact that most had lost their mother tongue as a result of slavery, they attempted speaking some bastardized form of English in order to communicate with others. This gave rise to pidgin or broken English.

Nigeria Pidgin English can be traced to the contact which was established between the multilingual coastal communities of Nigeria and Portuguese merchants, who were joined later by the Dutch and the English. The Pidgin English is in fact becoming very popular in the country in the sense that people prefer using it than the Standard English, especially in secondary schools and universities; even at public functions as well as in the offices. It is now becoming a lingua franca for social integration among diverse ethnic groups in the country. Pidgin English is a byproduct of Nigeria contact with colonial masters. The Pidgin English has developed to the extent that it is utilized for literary communication. Some of the works which Nigerian pidgin is employed as a medium of expression include the following: “Dis Nigeria Sef” a poem written by Ken Saro-Wiwa, No Food No Country a play by Tunde Fatunde, and Grip Am a play by Ola Rotimi. Pidgin has come to stay as the major lingua franca adopted for communication among the many different language speakers in Nigeria. According to Jowitt “The situation today is that pidgin flourishes as a medium of inter-ethnic communication, especially in the south, and especially in the large cities with many non-indigenous residents (Bendel, Benin, Port Harcourt, etc) or throughout States with small many ethnic groups…” (13).

Nigerian Pidgin in this case is a situation where normal language pattern is altered, but generally accepted to convey meaning. The language does not only evolve but also has its origin from a mixture of other languages. On the other hand, Standard English, in contrast to pidgin, did not begin to play a significant part in Nigerian society until the nineteenth century. This was the period in which white men began coming to the country in steadily increasing numbers as missionaries and traders and, in the later part of the country, as soldiers and government officials.  The general establishment of British rule in 1900 brought with it a fresh influx of officials to fill the new government posts.  David Jowitt assert that, “These began to be phased out with the approach of independence, but the development of the economy meant that after independence large numbers of whites continue to find employment in Nigeria, in education, construct work, the oil business, etc.” (15).

 He further stated that, “majority of white people who resided in Nigeria for any length of time over three past centuries and a half have been of British origin, and a large proportion of those who occupied government post during the colonial era came from the upper or middle strata of British society” (15). Their presence helped to ensure that standard British English (SBE) combined with Received Pronunciation (RP) had the same predominance and prestige in Nigeria as in Britain. This was the model held up, in schools and in the civil service, for Nigerian learners to emulate, and Nigerians were ready and anxious to emulate it because success in examinations based on the standard model was an indispensable condition for obtaining a low grade clerical post, which for a long time was the only kind of post in government services that Nigerians could hope to obtain. In the 1950’s when Nigeria rapidly took over senior civil service posts from the British, Standard English (Queen’s English) was unquestioningly retained by them as the standard for Nigeria. David Jowit suggests that “If Standard English was a badge of the old administrative elite, the new administrative elite must wear it too” (15).

1.2 Statement of Research Problem

According to Ihemere, it is observed that in Nigeria, only ten percent of its population can speak English language out of the over 140 million. To him, the remaining 90 percent do speak Nigeria pidgin (NP), because of the multilingual nature of Nigeria. Many times, there are complaints from parents, lecturer, and the society at large that the standard of education is falling; one of the key factors suspected to be the cause of this ugly situation is the language of instruction. The language of instruction in Nigeria is the standard British English, however, students’ academic write-ups today do not conform to the requisite standard as there are mixtures of both Standard English and other forms such as pidgin. It is in the light of this problem that this study shall provide answer to the following questions.

1.    Do student of Federal University Dutsinma use pidgin?

2.    What role does Pidgin English play in the institution?

3.    Does pidgin affect students’ academic performance?

4.    What reasons are responsible for the effects pidgin has on students’ academic performance?

 Answers to these questions will enable us make useful recommendations for future studies.

1.3Aim and objectives

            The aim of this study is to examine the role of Pidgin English in higher institutions particularly among students of Federal University Dutsinma. This research is set to achieve the following objectives:

                          I.        To find out whether the students of Federal University Dutsinma use pidgin.

                        II.        To find out the role pidgin English play in the lives of students in institutions.

                       III.        To find out to what extend do pidgin affect students’ academic performance.

              IV.        To look at the reasons responsible for the effects pidgin has on students’ academic performance.

TOPIC: THE ROLE OF NIGERIA PIDGIN ENGLISH IN HIGHER INSTITUTION (A CASE STUDY OF CROSS RIVER UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY)

Format: MS Word

Chapters: 1 - 5
Delivery: Email

Number of Pages: 80

Price: 3000 NGN

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