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The Influence Of English Language On Our Nigerian Indigenous Languages
[EXAMPLES OF BORROWING FROM ENGLISH INTO YORUBA BY UNILORIN UNDERGRADUATES]
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CHAPTER ONE
1.1 General Introduction
It is a
well established fact that English language has established itself
firmly in Nigeria thus, its importance cannot be over emphasized. Apart
from being an official language. English language is the rope that ties
members of the different speech communities together in continuing
interrelationships. It is the common instrument that they draw on for
socio-cultural identification.
English language is said
to be a human specific mode of expressing our thought through the
verbal (i.e spoken and written) and non-verbal means. With this
definition, we shall reiterate that English language necessarily serves
humans in a multitude of ways: English language is said to have a great
impact on the cognitive development of man: Man is able to express his
thoughts and view.
The majority of world English speakers
use English either as a second or third language and exists in an
environment where in the least, bilingualism is the norm even though
English may be the official language. In many countries, including
Nigeria, English is the main language of instruction in schools
(especially after primary education level) and it is used in business
and other official transactions and interactions.
English
came into Nigeria through colonization centuries ago and three main
groups of people emerged from this contact of English with the
indigenous languages of Nigeria. These groups are the British, the new
Nigerian elite trained in Britain and the native indigenous population
trained in Nigeria. A local variant of English emerged from the mixing
of those groups of people. This local variant of English was coloured by
influence from local languages. Borrowing of indigenous words into
English is a result of this contact and these borrowed words are what we
call ‘loan words’.
Today as English is used in almost
every facet of life in Nigeria, it still comes in contact with
practically all indigenous Nigerian languages and when Nigerians speak
English words from their various indigenous languages occur in their
speech
This research work therefore, will find out if
students in the University of Ilorin borrow words from English into
Yoruba in their day to day interaction and if they do, to identify these
borrowings.
We shall also find out the sources of these
borrowings. We hope to trace them to the various indigenous languages
and which they use in a communication. In other words, effort shall be
made extensively on the scope of the study and methodology involved in
the collection of data.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]Generally speaking, it seems unlikely that English will cease to be used elaborately in Nigeria in a foreseeable future. This research work therefore will find out if students in the University of Ilorin borrow words from English in to Yoruba in their day to day interaction and if they do to identify this borrowings. The sample population used in this work is 80 (Eighty) students of the University of Ilorin and these students were randomly chosen from four faculties in this University and they a ... Continue reading---
