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

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.

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