Introduction Pidgin English has in the past been regarded as an illiterate variety of the English language, but recent study proved otherwise, as the concept is now being studied and major distortions being clarified by such studies. An investigation into the use of Pidgin English in Nigeria is necessary in order to understand the social structures of the society and the language behaviour itself. Thus, an investigation into the use of Pidgin English in Nigeria is necessary in order to understand the social structures of the society and the language behaviour itself. Writing on Nigeria pidgin, Jowitt (31) remarks that recently the pidgin has attained the feat of dignity not only among the illiterates but also the literate members of the society. …show more content…
Meaning arises in interaction. Meaning links the distinctions between various expressions. Language allows for describing oneself and the circumstances of one's existence (Maturana & Varela, 1998). The ability of describing oneself is only possible through language. Language is the prerequisite for phenomena like reflection and consciousness. Interaction through language constitutes identity and social adaptation (Maturana & Varela, 1998). Based on language we are able to categorize our experiences and ascribe meaning to it. We ascribe meaning to each word. It is the meaning what the word is there for. ... tacit knowing is the fundamental power of the mind, which creates explicit knowing, lends meaning to it and controls its uses (Polanyi, (156). No one speaks the same way all the time and people constantly exploit the nuances of the languages they speak for a wide variety of purposes. The consequence is a kind of paradox, hence the formation and use of slangs, jargons, argots and to mention but few. All these manifest different linguistic behavior. While many linguists would like to view any language as a homogeneous entity and each speaker of that language as controlling only a single style, so that they can make the strongest possible theoretical generalizations, in actual fact that language will exhibit considerable internal variation, and single-style speakers will not be found (or, if found, will appear to be quite ‘abnormal’ in that
Words are like vessels—they are merely novel constructions of sounds empty of meaning until we fill them. They mean only what we discern in them, and nothing more. Words are only our impressions of them—imprecise, indefinite, unclear. A single word suggests infinite shades of intensity, quality, or connotation. They are variable, distinct in each era and dialect, even in each language.
Sometimes we think that words are a way to express what we have on our minds. Right? Think again. Guy Deutscher justifies just that. Our mother tongue does train our brains into thinking a certain type of way, also altering our perceptions of reality. In the NY Times article, “Does Your Language Shape How You Think?,” Guy points out that the mother tongue is Hebrew and leaves us with how we perceive the world. Guy’s protestor, Benjamin Lee Whorf, exclaims that language doesn’t have a particular word for a concept and that the concept itself could not be understood by the speaker. Guy argues that he does not have enough evidence that will substantiate the theory. He claims that Whorf is wrong on so many
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Irish rapidly flowed into the United States. The Irish immigrated in different waves and for various reasons, only to be greeted with significant barriers when landing in America. The Irish were essentially pushed out of Ireland because of the awful economy and the great potato famine. Upon arriving in the United States, the Irish had a difficult time with jobs, discrimination, housing, and money in the populated urban cities in which they settled. Having a rough life in the New World, the Irish still managed to leave a powerful legacy and an influence still visible today.
From an Educational Perspective a man named Jeff Siegel is an educator at University of Hawaii at Manoa who is for pidgin in class rooms. “Like plate lunches, aloha shirts, and lei, Pidgin is an important part of local identity in Hawaii” (Siegel 1). He understands that pidgin is part of a local in Hawaii for a reason even though “in many schools, pidgin is frowned upon and the language is kept out of classrooms” (Siegel 1). Also states some schools correct the way the student talks in pidgin. But people don’t understand that pidgin is a major role in creating our society now and advanced in the years.
Let me begin by introducing two familiar, controversial, but to my mind not implausible, views about language, each of which has a long history.
Many individuals have subconsciously used folk linguistics. They carry their own notions and implement them into language use. For instance, some societies perceive certain
The purpose of this assignment is to explain the impact of English language learners in the classroom. As a foreign student, English language learner in the United States faces multiple challenges for achieving academic success. To successfully complete a task, they need to master both English as a language and how it is used in core content classes especially when they are an adult. When trying to assist in instructing English language learners, they usually have many concepts and language abilities that they need to master, as do the teachers that are trying to teach them. With the incorporation of the concepts and approaches to identify and assess the issues and concerns that we have learned in our classroom instruction, such as lesson preparation,
Languages are continually changing and developing, and these changes occur in many different ways and for a variety of reasons. Language change is detectable to some extent in all languages, and ‘similar paths of change’ can be recognised in numerous unrelated languages (Bybee, 2015, p. 139). Since users of language all over the world have ‘the same mental processes’ and ‘use communication for the same or very similar ends’ (Bybee, 2015, p. 1), similar changes occur on the same linguistic aspects, and in many cases these changes produce similar results in multiple languages. However, language change is limited by the function it performs. Languages must be learnt to such an extent which allows communication between the generation above and below one’s own (McMahon, 1994, p. 5). Hence language change is a gradual, lethargic process, as only small changes in
Next, we shall evaluate the key features of language which are; communicative, arbitrary, structured, generative, and dynamic. Communicative, language can allow one to interact with another. According to Willingham (2007), the bond found with the elements in language and what they mean is arbitrary. The way language is set up shows how the symbols are not arbitrary. The set up language shows precisely how intricate it can be. Generative, one is able to build countless number of meanings from words. Dynamic, language never stays the same, therefore it can be known as sporadic. According to Willingham (2007), changes are being made all the time as new words get added and as the ways of grammar change. These elements can be quite critical when it comes to language.
Everyone is a part of a community. Most people are a part of multiple communities. A community is a group of people that have a commonality. Sometimes it is based on where you live, hobbies, goals, etc. I believe that communities are created unconsciously and are connected to someone’s identity, especially when a person is considered a part of multiple communities. Sometimes, a person may connect very well with their community. Sometimes, a person may feel very distant from their community. In the movie, “English Vinglish”, the main character, Sashi, shows examples on how communities are created through commonalities, and the acculturation theory. Sashi was a part of multiple communities. A few communities included her, her Daughter’s school,
Language has a personality and a mood, created by the behavior of the speakers and their cultural identity. Moreover, this includes the tools speaker use to communicate through i.e. sign language. Languages can be described by human emotions and feelings; therefore, language is personified and dynamic. Historical events have lead to changes in languages in caused flexibility and dynamicity of language. Globalization and colonization also had an effect in word borrowing, and many languages have been altered due to this. Languages are also interpre...
One of the first things we learn and obtain as children is language. We are not just simply obtaining language but we are being socialized by it. Language socialization is learning a language in culturally specific ways which then helps one become members of their group (Schiefflin). We are learning meanings of linguistic words and sentences that are not just conveying logical meaning but also indexing social meanings. "In every community, members have available to them linguistic resources for communicating such social meaning at the same time as they are providing other levels of information"(Ochs). So it isn 't just what is being said, but why or when something is being said that holds
Language is a means of human communication whether verbally or nonverbally. In everyday life we use language to express our thoughts, feelings ,attitudes,etc.A great amount of social interactions takes place every day over the telephone ,by online chats, face –to face interaction or at workplaces .We use language of different forms for different functions as in to inform, question , and sometimes to strengthen social relationships or just to keep the social wheels turning smoothly. Moreover, understanding one's own language and even other cultures’ language is important to arrive at a successful and effective communication with others . The study of language can be undertaken in various ways .Semantics and pragmatics are two branches of linguistics which are concerned with the study of meaning.
Growing up learning and speaking English has been something that was difficult for me at first but then came easy, but that was not the case for my mother. She spent her whole life speaking Spanish, so when she decided to take English learning classes it was challenging. However, she had me to help her throughout her struggle. I helped her complete her homework and assignments. We would also go to the library to check out easy level reading books to have her read to me. I would correct her English when it was wrong and do all I could to boost her confidence. It took me a while to understand and figure out what the best way to teach her was, but it was a fun experience for the both of us. Teaching her English was difficult because things that
Creoles are a form or variant of a language that should be accepted by national governments and societies. Creoles and pidgins are variants of a language, often having English, French or other European languages as the “mother-language” that dominate the spoken language of a society. While creoles are established languages, such as Gullah and Papiamentu, pidgins are unofficial versions that are devised to speak with an unfamiliar language. When a pidgin language is taught to a younger generation or other people, it becomes a creole. As the use of that creole is popularized and spread, it can grow in numbers of speakers up to the millions. These vernacular languages, as explained by Irene Thompson, (2016) in Creole Languages, states “When groups