Abstract:
Although, pidgin is said to be a sub-standard language developed for special purpose, especially trade, where people from different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds come together for business transaction without a specific common language but the English version of pidgin has gone beyond this traditional purpose. The aim of this paper is to investigate the resourcefulness of Nigerian Pidgin as a tool for national integration in Nigeria. It therefore examines the development of Pidgin English, its functional roles as well as the factors responsible for its preference in Nigeria. It also examined the use of Nigerian Pidgin in the Nigerian University environment. A quasi experiment was conducted using the staff and students of Federal University, Birnin Kebbi as case study. A questionnaire was designed and administered on selected students and staff of the University using a non-probability but convenient sampling technique. The responses were analyzed and findings made to examine the integrative role of Nigerian Pidgin English in Nigerian Universities vis-à-vis Nigeria. The HA hypothesis for this paper is that ‘Nigerian Pidgin English can serve as the tool for national integration in Nigeria’ While the HO is ‘Nigerian Pidgin English cannot serve as the tool for national integration in Nigeria’ ‘. The paper then concludes that the demographic, neutrality, unifying, simplicity, etc roles of the Nigerian Pidgin English could be responsible for its integrative role in Nigeria.
Keywords: Nigerian Pidgin English, National Integration, Nigerian Universities
Download the file by clicking here:
author/Shittu Fatai
journal/Zamfara IJOH Vol. 1 Issue 3
pdf-https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hIOjNY8jn1UXXMsiLos56MF5qYonpMrL/view?usp=sharing
paper-https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hIOjNY8jn1UXXMsiLos56MF5qYonpMrL/view?usp=sharing
