The place of english language in the development of nigeria. Nigerias role in the establishment of international organizations. In nigeria where english is a second language it is imperative for the teaching and learning implications to be properly addressed in such a diverse l2 classrooms. Pdf the use of the english language in nigeria dates back to the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century when british merchants and christian. 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. What is the role of english language in nigeria answers. Why are more african countries adopting english as an. This is an area of 922,200 square kilometers 356,000 square miles. The study of languages spoken around the world is becoming more and more popular. English especially the variety known as nigerian pidgin english functions as a lingua franca in this multilingual country.
Insurance industry is a very vital aspect of nigeria economy, and its importance and roles can not be overemphasized, in this project work the researcher want to identify the history of insurance industry in the nigerian economy and also the actual roles and the importance of insurance industry to the common man and the society at large, such. Hausa was an official language of the northern states from 1951 to 1967. Language preference as a precursor to displacement and. Today the english language could be named as one of the most widely used languages in the world. Media literacy and the role of english language in nigeria. Importance of english language in nigeria free essays. Roles of english language in nigeria english language is the interconnecting language amongst nigerians from different geopolitical zones and different ethnicities. Language is used to defining the characteristics of every nation. 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. It appears to be the second language in lots of countries. English is one of them which become international language. English is the official language of the federal republic of nigeria, a country that hosts over 270 indigenous languages.
Characteristics of nigerian english 1941 words bartleby. Teaching and learning english language in nigerian schools. Problems, prospects and perspectives morakinyo ogunmodimu linguistics department. Why is english language an official language in nigeria.
English was chosen to reconcile cultural and linguistic differences. Nigeria is the most populated country in africa and is made up of a number of trina and ethnic units. Other speakers see pidgin english as lingua franca in nigeria. Literacy is the ability to effectively and efficiently comprehend and impute meaning in written symbols. As a language of wider communication lwc, english is used for phatic communion, ceremonial purpose, instrument of keeping records, information. Though the constitution has been revised in 1979, 1993, and 1999. The role of english language in nigeria essays antiessays. Chapter 10 curriculum development and implementation. Pdf the functions of english in nigeria from the earliest times to. Nigeria is a lingua franca in view of its geographical spread couple with its over 450 languages, and the number of their speakers.
It is the language of the elites and also the first language for some nigerians. This has always resulted in arguments about the choice of indigenous languages for official and national purposes because. The word nigeria itself was coined from an english phrase niger area, i. Two main modern pronouncements on language policy in nigeria merit our attention, to wit the national policy on education 1977, revised in 1981, and the 1979 constitution, which is more cited than its 1989 reincarnation. The functions of english in nigeria from the earliest times to the present day article pdf available in english today 2502. Sometimes the teacher calls on females to answer a question, but they usually refuse to answer or say they dont know. Features of nigerian english despite these varieties, nigerian english has developed distinct. This article examines the role of english in nigeria as a medium of communication, political activitiessocial and academic guidance from its historical perspective, and the duration of gradual transition to the present status of bilingualism and its democratization of language in conformity with national unification. It went further to discuss standard of education in nigeria pointing out that since standards are relative and varies according to. This chapter started by presenting the views held by different educationists and scholars on the concept of education. Also deliberations in the national assembly and states houses of assembly are conducted in english. 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. Additionally, loanwords and collocations have emerged from the native languages of nigeria, which come from the need to express concepts specific to the culture of. Secondary schools in aniocha south local government area of delta state nigeria augustine o evue school of general studies delta state polytechnic delta state abstract this study examines the challenges facing the teaching of english language in secondary schools in aniocha south local government area of delta state nigeria.
The languages in nigerian sociopolitical domains eric. In nigeria, english is the second language for many students and also the language of instruction beginning from grade 3. For instance in nigeria, english language is been taught and learn as a second language. Importance of english language in nigerian schools. English has become the lingua franca of travel, business, and international communications. English language is a worldwide language, and its the means of communication in over 30% of all countries in the world. In addition to english, hausa, yoruba, igbo, fula, and english creole are widely spoken. The absence of a lingua franca, and the lack of mutual intelligibility of most of the indigenous languages, has given room for the english language to become nurtured, robust and hegemonic. The english language and sustainable development in nigeria.
Consequently, this paper sought to highlight the roles the english language performs in the building. 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. There are over 200 languages spoken in the country and as a result, there has to be an adopted language as a medium of communication. English performs the following major roles in nigeria. History and importance of english language in nigeria. Also, the basilectal variety of the english language in nigeria called the nigerian pidgin is a neutral language. What are the status and functions of the english language. The roles of indigenous languages in the sociopolitical development of nigeria essay 18 words 8 pages. Though they may not have adopted it as an official language of state, english also plays important roles in traditionally portuguese and frenchspeaking countries, as well as in ethiopia, none of which are former british colonies.
In accordance with the nigeria constitution first written in 1963 when nigeria became a republic was heavily based on the us constitution. 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. Functions of english language in nigeria information. Also, the basilectal variety of the english language in nigeria called the nigerian pidgin is a neutral. English is a second language in the sense that the users have their own indigenous languages but use english mandatorily in official and public life because of the existence of a multilingual nature of the country. English is that language of unity that speakers of other indigenous languages do codemix with in their speech. It is in the top three of the most spoken languages in the world. Uchem and others published gender roles of men and women in nigeria and in the united kingdom find, read and cite. Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and communicate messages effectively. The use of english as the official language in nigeria defuses ethnic conflicts and yet questions the authenticity and identifies of the users. It is the language of business, government, medium of instruction in schools etc. Therefore, language use situation in nigeria is different from what obtains in other bilingual and monolingual countries like canada where there are two languages. The spectrum of english in nigeria ranges from standard english through a more general english whose structures are.
English is the official language of nigeria, a former british protectorate. The procedure for developing a districtwide english language arts ela program philosophy and rationale statement and examples of the declarations follow. As of october 2008, the official government website for foreigners the provides 8 foreign language services including english, french, spanish. English language dominance and the fate of indigenous. The origin of english language in nigeria is connected with the colonial period. Implications for national development article pdf available april 2014 with 11,156 reads how we measure reads.
Key to leadership todays school administrators face one of the most challenging and exciting. Nigeria lies between latitudes 40n and 140n and longitudes 20 east and 150 east of the greenwich meridian. French and english, and japan where a single language is used for all activities. It is only a language which the peoples of nigeria can use to relate with one another that can be used to build the nation.
This role falls on the english language which is the nations official and second language, as well as her lingua franca. English language is the interconnecting language amongst nigerians from different geopolitical zones and different ethnicities. This article examines the role of english in nigeria as a medium of communication, political activitiessocial and. English is the official language of nigeria although there are literally hundreds of spoken language in the country. The state of english language teaching and learning in nigeria and namibia. Importance of english language in nigerian schools legit. The korean government does not use english as an official language, but it provides english service on the web. The english language remained the official language in nigeria, and it is one language that has been widely used throughout the country. In second language, there are always shuttle different official language and foreign language.
English language in nigeria has also helped to foster economic growth and development. English language functions as a vehicle of interaction and an instrument of communication. In a typical nigerian classroom, one finds students from diverse cultural backgrounds and mother tongues igbo, yoruba, hausa, efik, echie, to mention but a few who. Scholars have identified five dominant roles of english and other mother tongues in nigeria as. Pdf the state of english language teaching and learning. In fact, nigeria is ranked 4th among countries with the highest population of english speakers. Nigeria roles in the development of international organization. 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. Whenever the teacher asks questions, the same three students all male usually answer all the questions. Sources1 one of the most difficult issues in lexicography is documenting usages in a semiwritten language. The need to measure the vocabulary size and also encourage vocabulary instruction is not only necessary but paramount for student achievement in school. It is the most widely spoken language, although english is the official language of nigeria. It is hard to imagine the modern world without the english language. English is the language through which nigeria is heard outside her borders united nations, common wealth e.
What are the functions of english language in nigeria. Promoting gender equality in the english language classroom. Journal of universal language 172 fall 2016, 111143 language preference as a precursor to displacement and extinction in nigeria. Most of the african countries belong to these groups that. Vocabulary knowledge has been found to be crucial for academic achievement. However, studies have shown that hausa language is spoken by fourteen million people in nigeria, niger, and the sudan.
The importance of english language is spreading geographically in the world there are many languages being spoken. The role of english language in nigeria people and interests. The functions of english in nigeria from the earliest. Nigerian english, also known as nigerian standard english, is a dialect of english spoken in nigeria. Dictionary of nigerian english circulation draft roger blench 1 introduction these notes are intended to raise some issues on sources, interpretation and the definition of nigerian english.
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