Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
The linguistic situation in Africa
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: The linguistic situation in Africa
Topic: Speaking Standard English may succeed individual in Nigerian society.
Although speaking Standard English may help individuals to succeed in society that is not necessarily the case for Nigerian politician. Speaking Standard English for most Nigerian leaders is Important, but it is not necessary for them. Their aim is to use any kind of language to convince their voters.
Speaking Standard English is essential for person he or she that represents his country internationally (like political appointment), because English is a world global language. Nigeria’s “overwhelming dominance in terms of population makes her variety of English the prototype of WAE; as Golach (1984 : 84) emphasizes, the future of English in Nigeria will more or less be decided by what forms and functions it will take in this stage. With over 471 languages (including English and Pidgin English) spoken in Nigeria (SIL 1996-99e, para ), the linguistic situation is quite complex. English is the official language, but Hausa (with about 21% of the population as speakers), Igbo (about 16%) and Yoruba (20%), as the three major languages, have semi-official status. Also the government encourages each every child to learn one of the three major languages other than his own mother tongue ” (Igboanusi 1997: 22, based on National Policy on Education 1981), in addition to English. In a country like Nigeria a political leader prefers speaking the local language instead of speaking Standard English, all he knows is to convince his people for his votes.
Most of the Nigerian politicians lack Standard English since from their orientation. They are oriented with their local language since their child hood, from their...
... middle of paper ...
... A country like Nigeria could not produce a simple electronic appliance so therefore they depend on other country. For example, cars, phones, aeroplanes, and other electronic equipment. Those equipment where programmed with English language, therefore no way for an illiterate to be able to use that appliance without knowing how to speaks a good Standard English as, (Kachru Book, 1986: 21).
Finally people in Nigeria will totally disagree with a person that can not speaks their local language speaks their local language; some will find it difficult to communicates with him or her.
In conclusion, speaking Standard English will help people in terms of job opportunities, but is not really necessary and important foe the politicians. For a good polititian he or she should be able to master both local and English language.
Unless one could speak English they will not be able to get the best education possible i...
Not to mention, speaking English is a part of American heritage. Society should adapt to American culture and values, which means all American citizens should speak the nation’s primary language: English. If people refuse to speak and/or learn English, those individuals are rejecting American culture. America has always been extremely accepting and welcoming to all people of different backgrounds, so people should accept and adopt America’s primary language as well(Ciamarra). By establishing a common language among all people, the nation will thrive and
Usage of English language has its purpose, to convey meaning and understanding to a certain audience. But how does that affect one who does not speak or understand the language? People still communicate in their own Native tongues and have so for many years. With the globalization of many companies today, communication is very critical. Without effective communication, markets of today would be limited as there would be no exports or imports, etc.
We’ve all heard the saying “never judge a book by its cover”, but let us be genuine for a second no matter how hard we try we still make judgments about every person we have met. The way they look, dress, hairstyle, and even the way they talk or write. It gives us an idea of how that person carries him or herself. We all know proper English exists so why do we purposely butcher the English language? The words you choose say something about you; are you intelligent or uneducated. The proposal at De Anza College to let students use improper English in their writing assignments is something that should not be passed. Although texting is changing the English language, disregarding Standard English in an academic setting is not a great idea, since everyone needs to understand how to speak English correctly in order to succeed.
Stereotypes have acted as a tool in hindering the assimilation of Nigerians. The media often portrays Nigerians as poor, uneducated, and destitute people that cannot do things themselves. During television commercials, Americans are often exposed to a pe...
Therefore, having limited English skills in speech or writing can have a short or long term effect on an individual’s self-esteem and opportunities. Judgment should not be placed nor should one’s worth or potential be judged based off of test scores or stereotypical sayings. Society plays a major role in what its citizens of today think of each other. Therefore, it is up to society to educate individuals who place judgment on those who have limited English skills. Individual’s with limited and temporary ability to speak or write, should not measure that individuals potential in life nor limit his/her opportunities.
...rked to bring the spoken and written Yoruba languages closer together. The arts of Yoruba collectively have become preserving agents of Yoruba culture for centuries. Today, the Yoruba language is taught in school systems and universities in Nigeria, and it is used in a wide variety of media, including television, radio and newspapers.
In Language Planning & Gender Planning Ali Mazuri writes, that there are three routes for Africa to attain full gender inclusion. He cites the need for either diplomatic, gender or language planning (86). Although Mazuri understands the demand for full gender inclusion, he may have missed the mark on the pathway to achievement. Gender and diplomatic planning have their place, in this pursuit, but they do not belong on the center stage. If the true goal is to allow more women the opportunity to succeed, then the governments must start with language planning. Governments that use well intentioned language planning will empower more women and mobilize their country's development.
In a sociolinguist perspective “the idea of a spoken standardized language is a hypothetical construct” (Lippi-Green, 2012, pp. 57). They are the form of Britain English and American English that are used in textbooks and on broadcasting. Giles and Coupland observe that “A standard variety is the one that is most often associated with high socioeconomic status, power and media usage in a particular community” (1991, p. 38). Both native speakers and learners of English, where English is taught as a second or foreign language (hereafter ESL/EFL), speak dialect of English in everyday conversation (Kachru, 2006, pp. 10-11; Owens 2012, p.
Foreign language skills can be useful in promoting American foreign interests. In a global economy, doing business abroad is paramount, but language barriers can be a burden. Opponents of a foreign language requirement in education would argue that most foreign businessmen already speak English. Admittedly, most foreign competitors do speak English, but only out of necessity. They learned to speak English in an effort to better communicate with their American counterparts and take advantage of the money making potential of doing business in America.
People live in the world of communication. According to the Oxford Dictionary of Current English (Moore, 1997), communication is defined as, “The activity or process of expressing ideas and feelings or of giving people information”. The significance of communication can be found within the context of a human existing as a social being. As a human being manages his or her life in the course of the interaction between other members of the entire society, communication is inevitable. Communication occurs through the medium of a language and it is presented in two different forms which are written and spoken (Brown & Yule, 1983: 1-10). The importance of spoken performance of a language is becoming more prominent over the written performance capability. It is because the ability to speak a language reflects a person’s personality, self image, knowledge of the world, ability to reason, skill to express thoughts in real-time (Luoma, 2004: ix). These days, due to the global trend of internationalisation, the ability to communicate in English is needed as an essential skill. Whenever the international exchange happens, the use of spoken English entails. However, it is not always an easy task for people who use English as a second language to be able to speak to the level of a native speaker. They have to perfectly understand the sound system of English, have almost instant access to proper vocabulary and be able to place words together intelligibly without hesitation. Moreover, they also have to perceive what is being said to them and need to be able to respond appropriately to acquire amiable relations or to accomplish their communicative goals (Luoma, 2004: ix). Therefore, non-native English speakers encounter these barriers and they are subject to make mistakes often. In relation to this matter, this essay argues that there are socio-cultural factors as well as linguistic factors that affect non-native speakers’ communication in English. It provides analysis of several different situations when the use of spoken English has generated miscommunication problems in regards to author’s personal experience.
Also English is the language that consociate the whole World (Pike, 2013). It is important to learn English for being a global citizen - a person that can live anywhere, thrive anywhere, and speak to anyone (Pike, 2013), the more people learn English, the more people can approach to the World. That means different countries can exchange their idea, knowledge and technology by using English. English lead our country to be more developed and wealthy.
The culture of Nigeria is multi-ethnic and consists of three large ethnic groups. These groups are the Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani, and the Igbo. The people of Nigeria still hold their traditional languages, music, and dance closely and may differ from ethnic group to ethnic group. Although English is considered to be Nigeria’s official language, only fifty percent of the population can speak it. This is contributed to the fact of the different amount of tribes, and generally, every tribe has its own language (Boomie).
Some people do not have the desire to learn English, particularly those who do not use it in their daily lives and business. This situation often occurs where English is regarded as a foreign language.
Even though there are advantages as well as disadvantages, the need for international language for communication, politics, economics and security is necessary and English is the best “language candidate” for that function. English is a language spread all over the world and it is used by millions and millions of speakers. According to my opinion, people should use English as a tool to communicate with all cultures but every country must keep their culture and language is a great part of it. In conclusion, language defines identity of a country and everyone should keep their language and explore others.