A SOCIOLINGUISTIC STUDY OF THE PATTERNS OF NONSTANDARD ENGLISH WORDS USAGE IN FORMAL CONTEXTS: A CASE STUDY OF STUDENTS OF HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN KADUNA STATE
A SOCIOLINGUISTIC STUDY OF THE PATTERNS OF NONSTANDARD ENGLISH WORDS USAGE IN FORMAL CONTEXTS: A CASE STUDY OF STUDENTS OF HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN KADUNA STATE
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Date
2014-07
Authors
TERNA-ABAH, MARTHA NGUEMO
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Abstract
This study dwells on the Sociolinguistic Patterns of Nonstandard English Words
usage in Formal Contexts using students of institutions of higher learning in Kaduna
State as its case study. The study begins by examining the centrality of the English
language in the Nigerian society particularly in the educational sector. It then goes on
to look at the variability of the English language and the role of social context in
determining the most appropriate variety to be used hence the use of standard and
nonstandard English in formal and informal contexts respectively. On the contrary,
the target group of this study uses nonstandard English words in their spoken and
written communication in formal contexts. The study, which is limited to the lexical
variants, thus identifies these variant lexical items from students’ scripts and recorded
discourses and thereafter examines their patterns of occurrence and the factors
motivating their usage. The study adopts an eclectic approach comprising Fishman’s
Domain and Topics, Labov’s Quantitative Paradigm and Giles’ Accommodation
theory. Using the Domain and Topics model, the study establishes the fact that the
context/domain under consideration is formal based on the general subject areas under
discussion, role relationships between the participants and setting of interaction. The
study thereafter examines the social factors responsible for the use of identified
nonstandard/non-English lexical items using the Labovian framework and
Accommodation theory. Based on the study’s findings, social factors of language of
the social media/Short Message Service’s shorthand, bilingualism used as a source of
pity/obtaining undue favours, religion, familiarity/relaxed atmosphere and nature of
students’ course/question asked motivated our subjects’ use of the identified
nonstandard English lexical items. The study then looks at the general patterns that
the identified lexical items take as well as the differences or similarities of these
identified nonstandard English lexical items across the selected institutions. Finally,
the study discusses its contributions to knowledge and makes suggestions for further
research.
Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD) IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE,
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND LITERARY STUDIES,
FACULTY OF ARTS, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA.
JULY, 2014
Keywords
SOCIOLINGUISTIC,, STUDY,, PATTERNS,, NONSTANDARD,, ENGLISH,, WORDS,, USAGE,, FORMAL,, CONTEXTS:, CASE,, STUDY,, STUDENTS,, HIGHER,, INSTITUTIONS,, KADUNA STATE.