Influence of Pidgin English on the English Language Writing Skills of Ebonyi State University Students
Chapter One
Purpose of Study
The general purpose of the study is to examine the influence of pidgin language on student’s English language writing skills.
Specifically, the study intends to find out:
- Influence of Pidgin English on students understanding of grammatical rules of Standard English.
- Influence of Pidgin English on student use of standard written English.
- Influence of Pidgin English on students style of writing Standard English.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIW
English Language in Nigeria
The ascendency of English language in Nigeria, according to Babatunde (2001) was gradual. The proportion of English language in Nigeria was enhanced in 1882 when it became the medium for training the much needed manpower to entrench colonial domination quoted in Babatunde (2001) connote that: English became a sine qua non. In quick succession, the education ordinance and codes of 1882, 1896, 1918 and 1926 were enacted with a view of promoting the new language for general internal use. According to him, section 10, subsection of the education ordinance of 1882 reads: that the objects of teaching shall be the reading and writing of English language. The grammar of English language may be taught as class subjects.
The amended education ordinance of 1882 provided for capital grants as incentives to teachers for the number of pupils who passed an inspects of school administered ‘examination in reading and writing as the English language. English language was prolonged in Nigeria when the colonial authority demanded fluency and consistency in English language as a major requirement to secure white collar jobs. The British colonial administration then and the British council presently aimed at the survival of English language in Nigeria. According to Bowers in Babatunde (2001) the council has the central goal of promoting the language. Presently, the British council does this through many programs such as opening up ‘of libraries, English language teaching centers and communication skills project for promoting English language in common wealth countries. The provision of national policy on education, 1981 and the federal constitution of 1979 with that of 1994 perpetuated the use of English language remains a part of the school curriculum both as a school subject and as the sole medium of instruction.
According to Adekunle, (1985) it is now a modern Nigerians artifact, Wardhaugh (1986) observes: English serves today as a lingua franca in many parts of the world: for some speakers, it is a native language, for others a second language. The English language in Nigeria has gone through the process of acculturation to become what is called Nigeria English. David (2000) sees Nigerian English as something real and identifiable and the Nigerianisation of English.
Thus, in Nigeria, English language is the official language. It is the language of administration, judiciary and of formal education. Allen (1965) states that when English is taught as a second language, it is often more fundamental to the life and functioning of the country. Nigeria is represented at the united nation and other world organizations by the use of English language. International bilateral agreements and international relations are in English language. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) section 55 stipulates that: the business of the National Assemble shall be conducted in English and the National Policy of Education, section 3 sub section 15, paragraph 4 provides that English language shall be the medium of instruction as from primary four secondary school up to the tertiary level of education in Nigeria.
The English language is one vital requirement to secure admission into any reputable tertiary institution in Nigeria and a credit in English language at the ordinary level certificate is considered necessary to secure a worthwhile job appointment in Nigeria. Failure in English at public examination is considered failure in education while the ability to speak and use English language well confers on some socio-economic advantage.
CHAPTER THREE
Research methodology
The research methodology of this study is discussed under the following sub-headings: research design, Area of study, population of the study: sample technique, instrument for data collection: validation of the instrument, method od data collection and method of data analysis.
Research Design
The research design of this study is descriptive survey research method. It was adopted because the researcher was geared towards finding the influence of Pidgin English on students English language writing skills in Ebonyi State University
Area of Study:
The area of the study is Ebonyi State University. The choice of the University is as a result of different languages that come into contact which lead to the use of Pidgin among some students as a medium of communication. I picked up an interest in the school, since my friend mentioned the wide use of Pidgin English by the students on daily basis.mki
Population of the Study:
The population of the study is 12,500 students made up from the five faculties in Ebonyi State University Campus.
CHAPTER FOUR
Data analysis and presentation
This chapter deals with the result of the study. The data are presented according to the research questions
Research question 1: what is the influence of Pidgin English on students
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION, IMPLICATION, RECOMMENDATION AND SUMMARY
This chapter centers on discussion of findings, based on the data interpretation made in chapter four. They are examined and inference drawn from there.
The chapter starts with discussion of findings of the study and ends with suggestions for further studies.
Discussion of findings
In research question one the researcher wants to know the influence Pidgin English has on students understanding of grammatical rule of Standard English. This is obtainable because Pidgin has no grammatical rules guiding it like Standard English.
The finding agree with Kafewo (2008), that student’s use of Pidgin English affect their usage of standard English negatively because the language lack grammatical rules and encompasses local dialect.
In research question two, the researcher wants to know how the frequent use of Pidgin English influences student performance in the use of Standard English. This result shows that Pidgin English influences student performance in the use of Standard English. Onuigbo (2009) Opine that the corrupting influences of Pidgin English hinders the proper development and use of English in Nigeria. He said that this scenario presents a nagging problem that continues to increase in multitude and therefore create wreck and havoc to the foundation of English language.
In research question three, the researcher wants to know the effect of Pidgin English on student’s style of writing Standard English. The result of the finding shows that frequent use of Pidgin English influences student’s style of writing Standard English. Every type of writing has a particular style. This agrees with Onuigbo (2006) who says that every type of writing demands a distinctive style and a distinctive approach. He went on to say that students are expected to know how to write different kind of essays.
Implication of the Study
From the finding of this study, some of the following implications were noted:
Having seen that the use of Pidgin English influences students understanding of written English, the use of Pidgin English poses a big problem in the teaching and learning of English language, as a result of this, learning of English language has declined greatly due to the influence Pidgin English has on students including the teachers. If this continuous without any solution, the teaching and learning of English language may collapse, which will extend to the teaching and learning of other subjects, knowing that English language is the language of instruction.
To put an end to this destructive fore which is creating problem in the field of teaching and learning of English language, teaches of English language should research on ways to impacting knowledge on the student which will put a stop on the influence of Pidgin on the learning of English language.
It was also discovered that the co-existence of the two languages, that is Pidgin English and English language influences the proper use of English language in schools. In addition to these, some errors are also identified because of frequent use of Pidgin English which constitutes a very big problem resulting in a very poor and unacceptable resulting in a very poor and unacceptable expression in English finally, this study has shown that holding onto pidgin English can mar the academic progress of a student and negatively influence students performance in the real language of education in Nigeria.
Recommendation
Based on the findings which have been made, the following recommendations are made:
Students should take precautions and minimize the way they use Pidgin English.Students are also advised to use pidgin on rare occasions and not frequently.
The government has the responsibility to formulate a clear cut policy on Pidgin English.Students should make unhindered effort in that study of English language and this will bring about progress in Education which is necessary for national growth and development.School libraries need to provide interesting books which are written in Standard English language to help minimize their use of Pidgin English.
Limitation of the Study
The major limitation encountered during the process of carrying out this research was the population of the students to be used to carry out the research. The study was meant to cover the whole student offering GST 101 in Ebony State University, but due to large population of students, only one hundred students were used.
Suggestion for further research
Further research should be carried out in the following areas:
- The importance of using language laboratory for effective learning.
- The role of Pidgin English when it comes to formal setting
- Factors that militate against language learning.
- Reason why some students acquire Pidgin as their first language.
Summary
The objective of this research was to find out the influence of Pidgin English on students English language writing skills in Ebonyi State University. The study went on to find out the role of Pidgin English and that of English language. Further research was also made in chapter two of the study explains the nature of Pidgin English and that of English language and their different functions in our society. It went further to discuss the concept of essay and looked into the different types of essay writing.
The theories used for the analysis of the influence of Pidgin English on the written English language of Ebonyi State University students were structuralism and constructive analysis theories. Finally on this note, literature review was involved to find some previous study that has been done in this particular study.
References
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