CHAPTER 1
Introduction
1.1 Background to The Study:
The term pidgin is used to refer to a language which develops
in a situation where speakers of different languages have a need to communicate
but do not share a common language. Once a pidgin has emerged, it is generally
learned as a second language and used for communication among people who speak
differently.
Language is the most creative and unlimited instrument for
social communication and it helps us to understand the deep seated social
relevance, culture involvement and the human relatedness of language. Having
said this, we can therefore agree that pidgin is a language of its own and not
just a supplementary tongue as some people see it, since it serves as an
unlimited instrument of social communication especially in a multilingual
community as Madona University.
According to R. Linton he states that “the culture of a
society is the way of life of its members, the collection of ideas and habits
which they learn, share and transmit from generation to generation” (12). These
cultures, ideas and habits can only be transmitted from generation to
generation through language. In linguistic, every language is considered
adequate to represent the communicative needs of its people and as such should
not be made to suffer any biases.
This cannot be said of Nigerian Pidgin – even though it is a
language – because various attempts have been made by different faction to
eradicate the use of Nigerian Pidgin English. These attempts have however been
unsuccessful because of the significant value the language has to its users. It
is a language that has brought people together in spite of their differences in
ancestral culture and language by creating a local culture for itself which
blends ideas from different cultures.
1.2 Statement of Research Problem:
Nigerian Pidgin is a language just as English and there is
enough room for both language to co-exist and be mutually enriching. Despite
this – and the fact that Nigerian Pidgin English appears to be the most popular
means of communication among diverse groups and is easier to learn than any
other language in the country today – it is generally asserted that it is not
the suitable language for use in formal setting and its use in such setting is
usually frowned at.
This research work will explore the potentials of Nigerian
Pidgin English as a language. If Nigerian Pidgin English does have this
potential, why is its usage and status denigrated? Also, does the speaking of
Nigerian Pidgin affect the student’s academic performance? Answers to these
questions will enable us make useful recommendations for future studies.
1.3 Purpose of the Study:
This work intends to look into the effectiveness and status
of Nigerian Pidgin English. It is inherent that for a long period of time that
Nigerian Pidgin English has been the means of communication among students in
the higher institutions. This research will bring into light if the use of
Nigeria Pidgin English has any effect on the students and their academic
performance in Madona University. The
finding will be regarded to be generic, affecting also students in other
institutions who equally exalt Nigerian Pidgin English above standard English.
1.4 Hypothesis of the Study
Ho:
The Use of Pidgin English does not Negatively affect academic performance of
University Students.
Hi:
The use of Pidgin English Affects Academic Performance of University Students.
1.5 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, Madona University,
Enugu as it will highlight some issues in educational planning. It will be a
guide for the federal government in planning for effective educational system.
1.6 Scope and Limitations:
The scope of this project is on the effects of Nigerian
Pidgin English in university community. An assessment of its use in various
forms will be carried out. This research is limited to Madona University, Enugu
even though the findings might be generic.
1.7 Research Methodology:
Questionnaires were distributed to hundred (100) students in Madona
University, Enugu State
which is my case study and these questionnaires were filled and collected and
the hundred questionnaires were returned.
The result/total of responses from the respondents is tabled
in the yes/no format. The collection of data was done in two parts. The
secondary and primary source. The primary source is the questionnaire; the
secondary source includes textbooks, journals and so on. The materials were
researched upon in libraries: Benue State University
and Madona University libraries.
The total number of hundred (100) questionnaires were
distributed and the percentage system is the method used in calculating the
different responses.