EFFECT OF NIGERIAN PIDGIN ENGLISH ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF UNIVERSITY STUDENT A CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

Abstract

It is emphatic to note that Pidgin English which had it root as a demanded language between the white importers and their black traders has now become more or a primary language in Nigeria varsities and the polity in general. Nigerian Pidgin English evolved as a result of language contact with the British colonialists. This study seeks to explore the effect of Nigerian pidgin English on the academic performance of university students. Questionnaires were administered on selected students in the university in an attempt to elicit the attitude and usage of the informants to Nigerian Pidgin English. The results were calculated in percentages and hypotheses tested with chi-square statistics. It was found that the attitude of Nigerian students regarding the Nigerian Pidgin English in university of Benin is positive as it aid better understanding of some concept and principle in the classroom. To conclude, in the next few years, Nigerians are expected to use Nigerian Pidgin English in all situations when they communicate.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page

Approval page

Dedication

Acknowledgment

Abstract

Table of content

CHAPETR ONE

1.0   INTRODUCTION 

1.1        Background of the study

1.2        Statement of problem

1.3        Objective of the study

1.4        Research Hypotheses

1.5        Significance of the study

1.6        Scope and limitation of the study

1.7       Definition of terms

1.8       Organization of the study

CHAPETR TWO

2.0   LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPETR THREE

3.0        Research methodology

3.1    sources of data collection

3.3        Population of the study

3.4        Sampling and sampling distribution

3.5        Validation of research instrument

3.6        Method of data analysis

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.1 Introductions

4.2 Data analysis

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Summary

5.3 Conclusion

5.4 Recommendation

Appendix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the study

Nigeria is certainly one of the linguistically diverse nation with approximately 516 languages (Gordon, 2005), each of the language has a peculiar function and plays a cogent role in the society wherever it is in use. It is exciting to know that Pidgin separately exists from several local languages which constitute the mother tongue or second language of Nigerians, foreign languages such as English, French, and Arabic, similarly exist. English has become an official language, and for most people a second language in Nigeria. On the other hand, Nigerian Pidgin English, with possibly the largest number of speakers, has also developed as an outcome of contact of English alongside the native languages (Dada 2007). Language conduct implicates social meanings relative to social customs in an identified speech community. Language attitude study is not only a way of understanding how language is used, for example, as a symbol of identity or in-group membership, but also helps to inform the social importance of a given code or language (Adegbija, 1994; Ihemere 2006; Salami 1991). Therefore, attitudinal studies of language are important to linguistics because they could help to explain language maintenance and shift, which is distinctly influenced by the change or maintenance, which is favored or disfavored by members of the speech community (Mann 1993; 1998). In Nigeria, Pidgin English (NPE, henceforth) is seen commonly like the language of the uneducated as well as a bastardization of English and its usage. Consequently, it measured as a sign of the level of one’s competence in English. For example, Agheyisi (1971) claims that the normal speakers of pidgin are persons who have minor or no proper schooling. However, as Akande (2008) has distinguished, the sociolinguistic experience in Nigeria currently is such that university graduates, instructors, solicitors and newscasters use Nigerian Pidgin English (NPE). The situation has also been proven that NPE is not used only in unofficial settings but also in workplaces and further official situations (Akande 2008). Pidgin historically begins, as Quirk et. al. (2005) observe as simply a language marked by traditional interference used chiefly by the prosperous and privileged sections of a community, represented by the unskilled and illiterate class of the society. This situation is however not so with the Nigerian Pidgin English (NPE). It is quite interesting to note that what actually started as a contingency language between the white merchants, who later turned colonial masters, and their black traders has now become an elitist campus language-spoken among the teeming population of the Nigerian students in higher institutions of learning. Thus, at common rooms, kiosks, gossip centres, viewing centres, play grounds, rally grounds, relaxation joints, movie grounds and a host of other meeting points where and when students are relieved of their academic routines, they are seen interacting lively in NPE.

Language, which Oyewo Yinka describe as “the medium or vehicle for conveying ideas, a system of arbitrary vocal symbol based on social cooperation; the totality of meaningful utterance in any given society” (15) is by far the most important means of human communication. The effects of Nigerian Pidgin English on students is the focus of this research work. Pidgin has their different histories about language contact and subsequent borrowing and code-mixing. The origin of Nigerian pidgin can be traced to the contact which was established between multilingual coastal communities and Portuguese merchants, who were joined later by the Dutch and the English. Nigerian Pidgin English is in fact becoming very popular in the country, especially in the secondary schools and in the universities; even at public function as well as in the offices. It is a lingua franca for social integration among diverse ethnic groups in the country.

Nigerian 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 are “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; though some people consider it to be a low social status. Nigerian Pidgin has come to stay as the major lingua franca adopted for communication among the many different 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. In other words, this claim that NPE is the language of the uneducated does not appear to earn rationality, because there are so many knowledgeable users in Nigeria who can practice both Standard English and NPE competently (Akande 2008)

 

• STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The rate of use of Pidgin English in Nigeria universities is considerably alarming amidst Nigerian language policy which favors the use of Standard English language in formal or official communication (Onjenwu & Okpe, 2015). For instance, the medium of instruction in teaching and learning in tertiary institutions is Standard English. Many at times students are encouraged and sometimes cautioned to make use of Standard English while communicating with their lecturers with a view avoid overtaken by Pidgin English. Nevertheless, one may note with highest disappointment, the negative attitudinal characters, condemnations, and disregard of some people have toward this language. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to evaluate the effect of Nigerian pidgin English on the academic performance of university student with emphasis on university of Benin student.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of Nigerian pidgin English on the academic performance of university student. But to aid the completion of the study the researcher intend to achieve the following specific objective;

1. To examine the relationship between the use of Nigerian pidgin English and the academic performance of student in university of Benin
2. To examine the effect of Nigerian pidgin English on the reading culture of university of Benin student

• To examine the influence of pidgin English on the eloquence level of student in speaking standard English in universities

1. To ascertain the role of pidgin English in simplifying academic concept among student
   • RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;

1. Is there any significant relationship between the use of Nigerian pidgin English and the academic performance of student in university of Benin?
2. Is there any effect of Nigerian pidgin English on the reading culture of university of Benin student?

• Does pidgin English influences the eloquence level of student in speaking standard English in universities?

1. Does pidgin English play any role in simplifying academic concept among student?
   • SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is important because its results can go a long way to finding out the causes of students’ negative or positive academic performance. If Nigerian Pidgin English has contributed negatively or positively to the students. This work will in no doubt contribute to one’s knowledge especially in the department of English, University of Benin, Benin as it will highlight some issues in educational planning. It will be a guide for the federal government in planning for effective educational system.

• SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

1. a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
2. b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
3. c) Organizational privacy: Limited Access to the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get

1.7 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

English: Is the language, originally of England now spoken of international communication throughout the world.

English Language: Is as well a subject of study.

Pidgin: a simple form of language especially English, Portuguese or Dutch, with a limited number of words used with words from a local language.

Pidgin English: A way of speaking a language that uses simple words and forms, when a person cannot speak the language well.

First Language. The language that one learns to speak first as a child and usually one speaks the language best among other languages.

Second Language: A language that somebody learns to speak well and use at workplace or at school where it is learnt but that is not the language such user learns first.

1.8 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research question, significance or the study, research methodology, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlight the theoretical framework on which the study its based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion and also recommendations made of the study.

 

 

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