The languages in nigerian sociopolitical domains eric. Pdf the functions of english in nigeria from the earliest. Prior to the middle of the 19th century, studies of the english language were informal. Mar 28, 2009 functions of english language in nigeria. This is a brief history of english language in nigeria.
The english language is used in the ict industries, the internet, medicine and others. We have different uses of english language, below here are the top 10 uses of english language in nigeria. As the official language, the english language has come to be seen as probably the most important language because it. English has been one of the major languages in the world. Since english language is the major language used in nigeria, for both communication purposes and for the propagation of education, it is sensible to conclude that, so much important is attached to the use of english language hence, english language has served many functions. The english language is used for communication in nigeria. Functions of english language in nigeria information. What are the status and functions of the english language in.
English especially the variety known as nigerian pidgin english functions as a lingua franca in this multilingual country. In this regard, this research aims to examine the challenges of using participatory methods in teaching of english subject in community secondary schools in moshi. Still, stylistic devices are painted with all bright national and cultural specifics. This paper discusses tone and what constitute the functions of tone in tonal languages. English language in nigeria has also helped to foster economic growth and development. English is the official language of nigeria, and it also functions as a lingua franca. The spectrum of english in nigeria ranges from standard english through a more general english whose structures are. This article examines the role of english in nigeria as a medium of. The functions of english in nigeria from the earliest times to the. African, asian and south american countries are called developing, underdeveloped or third world countries.
Adegbija 1987, asserts that one basic premise of speech act is that utterances are not made in vacuum. History and importance of english language in nigeria. English language is the interconnecting language amongst nigerians from different geopolitical zones and different ethnicities. As the official language in nigeria, english is the acceptable medium of communication all over the country. In other words, there is a poor condition of living in such countries. Roles of english language in nigeria english language is the interconnecting language amongst nigerians from different geopolitical zones and different ethnicities. The english language in nigeria reflects the uniqueness of african reality and african mentality in its own way and, in general, the linguistic picture of the world of nigerians. As a second language, its acquisition makes its nigerian users either bilingual or multi lingual. Jan 17, 2019 categories assignments tags discuss the functions of english language in nigeria, english language and national development in nigeria, functions of english as a second language, functions of english language pdf, importance of lingua franca in nigeria, is english language a curse or blessing to nigeria, the unifying roles of english language. The use of the english language in nigeria dates back to the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century when british merchants and christian missionaries settled in the coastal towns called badagry, near lagos in the present day south western nigeria and calabar, a town in the present day south eastern nigeria. Multilingual linguistic heterogeneous nigerian society. They are characterized by hunger, diseases, poverty, and a high death rate.
Sep 26, 2018 discussion of the use of language functions to teach and learn english using language tasks to focus on key phrases used to accomplish each function. Show full abstract english is today an indian language and even functions as a vernacular indian language. It unites the country, from the north to the east, west, and south. In the third category, a single elected language or demolect is symbolically attributed to the nation as a whole.
What are the functions of english language in nigeria. The arabic language has a major political and religious weight in the northern. Note that this syllabus is for both internal and external candidates click here to download waec english syllabus as pdf view text version below. History of english language in nigeria and top 10 uses. Pdf the functions of english in nigeria from the earliest times to. Consequently the speech act approach is used because greeting rituals are speech act, i.
They are used in some cases for the conduct of business in the civil service, law, commerce and education and all other official domains. It then proceeds with the basic, theoretical concepts of generative grammar from which students can develop abilities to think, reason, and analyze english sentences from linguistic points of view. Language situation at the colonia era when britain took over as the colonial power in nigeria, english became the tool with which the new territory would be administered. Institute of political studies, faculty of political studies, charles university in prague, czech republic. History of english language in nigeria through civilization. One of the ways through which feedback can be obtained from the learners on what the teachers had taught them is evaluation.
This paper takes a look at the teaching of english language in nigerian tertiary institutions. In nigeria, this option has been assiduously avoided, though the three majority languages perform some of the functions ascribed to the second and third categories, both regionally and nationally. In explaining the functions of tone, copious examples were draw from yoruba, hausa, igbo, batonu, nupe, idoma, bini a dialect of edo, kahugu, afo and. Language is very important factor of communication among society. Though the constitution has been revised in 1979, 1993, and 1999.
English is the official language of the federal republic of nigeria, a country that hosts over 270 indigenous languages. The functions of english in nigeria from the earliest times to the present day article pdf available in english today 2502. The use of the english language in nigeria dates back to the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century when british merchants and christian missionaries. English language is a worldwide language, and its the means of communication in over 30% of all countries in the world. Also, the basilectal variety of the english language in nigeria called the nigerian pidgin is a neutral language spoken across every ethnic and social boundary in the nation. I am going to discuss these functions and take some examples of each one. The status of english language in nigeria library gurus. An attempt to dismiss english as the language of the coloniser is endeavouring to. Jamb syllabus for english language pdf document it is designed to test their achievement of the course objectives, which are to. Aug 10, 2019 in accordance with the nigeria constitution first written in 1963 when nigeria became a republic was heavily based on the us constitution.
Unit, emmanuel alayande college of edu, oyo abstract. English language is termed as nigeria second language, it is being used as a communication tool by everyone in the country. Nigeria and the roles of english language from historical perspectives nigeria is a. In political and social policy, language functions as a vehicle of interaction. It is being taught in schools from the prenursery down to. This can be achieved through specific activities based on a literary text little women by louisa may alcott and, of course, by adjusting the text with. English language specifically in community secondary schools in tanzania because there is pronounced poor performance of english language subject in recent years. The functions of english in nigeria from the earliest times. Jamb syllabus for english language nigerian scholars. The english language remained the official language in nigeria, and it is one language that has been widely used throughout the country. The promotion of english language in nigeria the existence of english in nigeria and its wide acceptance and spread are caused by several factors. Consequently, the education ordinance and codes of 1882, 1896, 1918 and 1926 were enacted for english language to be as the official language.
History of english language in nigeria and top 10 uses problems. Oct 14, 2019 english is the official language of nigeria, a former british protectorate. For instance, english, hausa, igbo, yoruba are allowed for conduct of legislative functions in. The korean government does not use english as an official language, but it provides english service on the web. What is the functions of english language in nigeria. As of october 2008, the official government website for foreigners the provides 8 foreign language services including english, french, spanish, arabic, vietnamese, russian, chinese, and japanese. The common denominator among these studies appears to be the linguistic hegemony of the english language as a global language and the survival of the other languages of the world. Nigeria had not adopted english as a second language. Jan 31, 2018 the word nigeria itself was coined from an english phrase niger area, i. If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. English language has played a very important role in connecting nigerians from different tribes and ethnicity,this is ideal because english language is regarded as the worlds language because its spoken by millions of people around the world. In all of the revisions, english has been the official language in nigeria, as this was the language of the colonizers of nigeria, the british.
So one stop and think perhaps, this can in fact, remained the major function of the english language in the nigerian society. The three major languages in nigeria perform official functions side by side with the english language. Going by this historical position, it is safe to conclude that english predates colonization in nigeria. The english language is nigerias official language and serves as the second language to most of its nigerian users. Asked in literary devices and figures of speech, word games. Some people learn them for work, others simply because they receive immense pleasure from the learning process, thus turning this activity into their hobby. Since the english language is used in schools to impart knowledge, as well as propagate education, it, therefore, a compulsory subject in nigerian schools, particularly, at the primary and postprimary schools level. Pdf the use of the english language in nigeria dates back to the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century when british merchants and christian. A second language is one that comes after ones primary language. What are the functions of the english language answers. Other exogenous languages with less influence are arabic and french. When christian missionaries arrived from the uk a long time ago, they introduced western education to nigerians.
I will explain the relationship between language and social organization. Language, being a potent vehicle of transmitting cultures, values, norms and beliefs from generation to generation, remains a central factors in determining the status or nature of any nation. English is used to perform official and national functions, while the various indigenous languages are used for interaction in their respective. English has been widely used in the propagation of education in nigeria and this is used in all facets of education. Jun 21, 2010 english is the official language of nigeria, and it also functions as a lingua franca. Without the knowledge and communication of english, one cannot successfully go into this area of interest. Nigerian english, also known as nigerian standard english, is a dialect of english spoken in nigeria. Basically, children learned about culture, traditions, and history from older relatives who passed on their knowledge. The study of languages spoken around the world is becoming more and more popular every day. Ironically, it is also nigerias dominant language, with the use of english being taught at various levels of the nigerian educational system prenursery schools, nursery schools, primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions of learning. Grammar what is the functions of english language in nigeria.
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