Exploring the linguistic status of the Nigerian Pidgin

Prisca O. Bob, Elizabeth N. Obiukwu

Abstract


Pidgins are minimal and makeshift languages which are the results of language contact, developed for the purpose of communication, particularly in multilingual societies. Being spoken in many countries of the world, it is recognized as a contingency language in the absence of a central communicative code. Nigerian Pidgin is one of the pidgins spoken in the world. It has gained wide currency having permeated the Nigerian linguistic ecology. As a result, this paper discusses it with the purpose of highlighting its position in the Nigerian linguistic situation by recourse to the stages of language development. Drawing from the basic principles of Role and Reference Grammar (RRG), this paper argues that language is employed solely for communicative purposes. By this, the paper emphasizes while corroborating that languages perform functional roles despite their limitations. Conclusively, the Nigerian Pidgin in its stage in language development occupies the status of a promoted language (PL) and also a tolerated language (TL).

Full Text:

PDF

References


Achebe, C. (1979). The bane of Igbo: An appraisal of the consequences of Igbo union for Igbo language and literature. Anu Magazine, pp. 33-41.

Agheyisi, R. (2008). West African Pidgin: Simplification and Simplicity. Unpublished PhD Dissertation, Stanford University.

Aitchison, J. (1991). Language Change: Progress or Decay? Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Akande, A.T. (2008). ‘The Verb in Standard Nigerian English and Nigerian Pidgin.’ Aberdeen: Forum for Research on the Languages of Scotland and Ireland. Pp.70-89.

Akande, A. T. and Salami, L. O. (2010). Use and Attitudes towards Nigerian Pidgin English among Nigerian University Students, in Millar, Robert McColl (ed.) Marginal Dialects: Scotland, Ireland and Beyond. Aberdeen: Forum for Research on the Languages of Scotland and Ireland, pp. 70-89.

Deuber, D. (2005). Nigerian Pidgin in Lagos: Language Contact, Variation and Change in African Urban Setting. London: Battle Bridge.

Elugbe, B. O. (1990). ‘National Language and National Development’ In E.N Emenanjo (ed.) Multilingualism, Minority Languages and Language Policy in Nigeria. Agbor: Central Books Limited in Collaboration with the Linguistic Association of Nigeria.

Elugbe, B. (1995).’Nigerian Pidgin: Problems and Prospects.’ In A. Bamgbose, A. Banjo, & A. Thomas (Eds.), New Englishes: A West African Perspective (pp.57-58). Ibadan: Musoro Publishers.

Elugbe, B. O. and Omamor (1991). Nigerian Pidgins: Background and Prospects. Ibadan: Heinemann.

Gani-Ikilama, T. O. (1990). Use of Nigerian Pidgin in Education: Why Not? In Emenanjo (ed.), Multilingualism, Minority Languages and Language Policy in Nigeria. Agbor: Central Books Limited in Collaboration with the Linguistic Association of Nigeria.

Igboanusi, H. (2008). Empowering Nigerian Pidgin: A challenge for status planning? World Englishes 27: 68-82.

Illah, E. (2001). Re-Reading Pidgin Literature: The Neo-Colonialist Construct, Azuike M. N (ed.).In Studies in Language and Literature. Lagos: Joel Publishers.

Ituen, Ufot. (1985). The enthronement of Pidgin English. The Guardian.

Jibril, M. (1995). The Sociolinguistic Variation in Nigeria English. English World Wide. 7(1), 47-74.

Mafeni, B. (1971). ‘Nigerian Pidgin’ In J. Spencer (Ed.). The English Language in West Africa. London: Longman.

Mann, C. C. (1993). The sociolinguistic status of Anglo-Nigerian Pidgin: An overview. International Journal of Sociology of Language, 100/101, 167-178.

Naro, A. (1973).The Origin of West African Pidgin. Chicago: Chicago Linguistics Society.

Reinecke, J.E. (1964). ‘Trade Jargons and Creole Languages as Marginal Languages.’ In D. Hymes (Ed.). Language in Culture and Society. New York: Harper and Row, pp.534-546.

Rickford, J. R. (1998). The Creoles Origins of American Vernacular English: Evidence from Copular Absence, in Salikoko et-al (Ed). African American English. London: Route ledge.

Todd, L. (1974). Pidgins and Creoles. London: Rout ledge.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.