The Effects of Nigerian Pidgin English on Students of Tertiary Institutions
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The main aim of the study is to determine the effect of pidgin English on the academic performance of tertiary students in Nigeria. Other specific objectives of the study include;
- to determine the extent to which pidgin English affect the academic performance of tertiary students.
- to determine the factors enhancing pidgin English amongst tertiary students.
- to determine the relationship between pidgin English and standard English and its effects on the academic performance of tertiary students.
- to proffer possible solution to the problems.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
Research in linguistics and language learning and usage has always reflected other current events in the world. The history of linguistics and language learning are replete with accounts of teachers and applied linguistics making great efforts to unravel the complex question of language teaching and learning as well as language use. While some are interested in the essence of language as a phenomenon, others are interested in how it could be taught, learnt, used and categorized. Amao (2012) remarks that pidgin is not just some “distorted” or “bastardized’ form of language, as some would think, and which perhaps makes them refer to it as broken, but that Pidgin is a complete language in its own right. For him, Nigeria’s multi-lingual background provides a veritable ground for the emergence of national language. Another level at which Nigerian Pidgin registers its way is the Nigerian music scene particularly with the emerging Naija Pop Culture. In support of this assertion by Amao, Fasan (2011) notes that Nigerian Pidgin English is a predominant language of expression and a form of solidarity or mark of identity among the various multi-ethnic groups of young people who crave to create effective urban culture in their respective locations. It is also acknowledged as a formidable stride in the recreation of Nigerian and African socio-cultural identity. This level of prominence carries over into the religious terrain in Nigeria as well as into the Nigerian film-making and music industry where the language enjoys unrestricted use, mirroring the way of life of Nigerian people. The foregoing serves to highlight the perceived and observable place of NPE in contemporary Nigerian society. The implication of this is that since enough research work that is commensurate with the increasing growth and influence associated with the language is being carried out, Nigerian Pidgin English may well receive more audience from the government and secure a better place in Nigeria’s language policy in the nearest future. In support of this, Balogun (2013) observes that Nigerian Pidgin English is a fully developed language with its own rich lexico-semantics and syntax, which has evolved like any other language through contact and modification. The paper points out that Nigerian Pidgin English is not an inferior language, or a plague-ridden linguistics system when compared to other well-described languages of the world. Rather, it is a variety that serves broad spectrum of Nigerian inhabitants, whose divergence transcends ethnic, religious and class boundaries. Given the crucial inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic communicative functions of Nigerian pidgin in various social strata of the people’s life, he suggests that Nigerian pidgin should be given official recognition. On the other hand, Oko (2003) observes that the Nigerian Pidgin English has effects on students’ performance in English language in secondary schools in Ebonyi State. The poor performance in English Language by the students in secondary schools is due mainly to the use of the Nigerian Pidgin English in oral and written communication. This researcher recommends that Nigerian Pidgin English should not be spoken side by side with the Standard English but be used in informal situations since it is not recognized as a medium of instruction. The studies above show that many studies have been carried out in favour and against the Nigerian Pidgin English on its influence on the usage of the Standard English with little or no interest in any linguistic theory to support their cases. The present study is different from all of them because it focuses on the influence of NPE on Eha-Amufu students’ performance in the use of the Standard English using Stephen Krashen’s Affective filter hypothesis found in his Second Language Acquisition Theory.
STANDARD ENGLISH
The notion ‘Standard English’ is somewhat a direct and deliberate invention by the society to create a class and standard for a language. Standardization refers to the process by which a language has been codified in some way. The process usually involves the development of such things as grammars, spelling book, dictionaries and possibly a literature (Wardhaugh: 31). Based on this, Standard English is defined by Trugill (5-6) as ‘that variety of English which is normally taught in schools and to nonnative speakers learning the language. It is also the variety which is normally spoken by educated people and used in news broadcasts and other similar situations.’ 25 Yule (180) also defines Standard English as ‘the variety which forms the basis of print in newspaper and books, which is used in the mass media and in schools …
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine the effects of Nigeria pidgin English on students of tertiary institution. Adeyemi college of education form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the effects of Nigeria pidgin English on students of tertiary institution. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of Nigeria pidgin English on students of tertiary institution
Summary
This study was on the effects of Nigeria pidgin English on students of tertiary institution. Five objectives were raised which included; to determine the extent to which pidgin English affect the academic performance of tertiary students, to determine the factors enhancing pidgin English amongst tertiary students, to determine the relationship between pidgin English and standard English and its effects on the academic performance of tertiary students and to proffer possible solution to the problems. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from staffs of Adeyemi college of education.. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
From the findings in this study, it can be inferred that there is relative influence on students’ use of Pidgin from their home and since parents appear not to take it up with the students at home, the effect has now been felt in the school. Also, Pidgin English (as was found in this study) was used to create a form of identity for the students who find it convenient to express themselves easier in Pidgin than in Standard English when communicating with their peers. There is a sense of denial in young people when confronted with their weakness as regards the use of Pidgin. No student will want to give an impression of himself or herself as one that uses Pidgin in examination or in writing assignments. But a closer scrutiny will reveal the true nature of one who pretends over issues of this magnitude. Using outright ban or prohibition of Pidgin English in schools does not seem to stop its usage but a deliberate and conscious effort at instilling in the mind of the students the knowledge of Pidgin’s adverse effect on their academics and the danger of its persistent use will go a long way in mitigating the adverse effect of using Pidgin in schools.
Recommendation
- There should be constant monitoring and evaluation of language use in teaching and learning in Nigerian schools to check the trend of usage of Pidgin.
- Teachers should always caution students each time they use Pidgin in formal school settings
References
- Abdullahi-Idiagbon, M.S. The Sociolinguistics of Nigerian Pidgin English in Selected University Campus in Nigeria. Unpublished Thesis. Ife, 2010.
- Agbo, O. ‘Nigerian Pidgin and the Development of English as a Second Language: Problems and Prospect.’ M. A. thesis, University of Nigeria. 1998.
- Agheyisi, R.N. “Standardization of Nigerian Pidgin English.” English World Wide, 1988.
- Akujiobi, O.S and Chukwu, E. “Challenges of Effective English Languages Learning in Nigeria Secondary Schools.” International Journal of Arts and Humanities. E.d. Bahir Dar. Ethiopia: Vol. 1, 2012: 57-68 Print. Ali, Anthony. Fundamentals of Research in Education. Awka: Meks Publishers, 1996. Print.
- Amakiri, A. and Igani, B. ‘The Effects of Pidgin in the Teaching and Learning of Standard English in Nigeria.’ International Journal of English and Education. 2015. 122-130 Print. 92
- Amao, T. The Use of Pidgin English as a Medium of Social Discourse Among Osun State University Students. Unpublished Thesis. Osun, 2012.
