Skip to main content
nounstudy
ENG353

English Language In Nigeria

  • Arts
  • 300 level
  • 3 credit units
  • 215 pages
  • 20 units

This course introduces students to the sociolinguistic features of the English language in Nigeria. It explores the nature, characteristics, and classifications of Nigerian English, including regional dialects. The course examines the relationship between English, Nigerian languages, Pidgin English, and Creoles. It also covers the functions and status of English in Nigeria, problems of interference and intelligibility, and the national language question.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
26 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor Marked Assessments
  • Final Examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

ENG353 · UNIT 3: THE FUNCTIONS OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN NIGERIA

With these multifaceted functions performed by English in the Nigerian environment, we would agree that English promotes understanding and national unity in the country, because without English in a linguistically diversed culture like Nigeria, our environment would have been another episode of ‘tower of Babel’ where everybody speaks but nobody understands anybody.

What you should be able to do

  1. Describe the nature of English language in Nigeria
  2. State the basic characteristics and classifications of English in Nigeria
  3. Identify the different regional dialects of English in Nigeria
  4. Explain the relationship between English, indigenous languages, Nigerian Pidgin and Creoles
  5. Describe the functions and status of English in our environment
  6. Identify the extent of interference of L1 on L2 and the level of intelligibility
  7. Comment on how to solve the national language problem in your country

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Linguist
  • Language Teacher
  • Translator
  • Interpreter
  • Communication Specialist
Where it is applied
  • Education
  • Media
  • Government
  • International Relations
  • Publishing

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 3: The Linguistic Features of Nigerian English

    Unit 1: The Phonological Features

    The wide range of phonological variations in Nigerian English, influenced by diverse indigenous languages, makes it challenging to master the standard pronunciations and suprasegmental features.

  • Module 3: The Linguistic Features of Nigerian English

    Unit 2: The Grammatical Features of Nigerian English

    The subtle and complex syntactic structures of Nigerian English, often influenced by local languages, require careful attention to detail and a deep understanding of both English and Nigerian grammatical rules.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 30 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: The English Language in Nigeria
    • Unit 1: Advent of English in Nigeria · 2 hours

      Read the introduction to understand the scope and objectives of the course.. Familiarize yourself with the factors that led to the advent of English in Nigeria.. Identify the different phases of English incursion into Nigeria..

  2. Week 2Module 1: The English Language in Nigeria
    • Unit 2: Promotion of English Language in Nigeria · 2 hours

      Examine the promotion of English language in Nigeria.. Analyze the influence of multilingualism, language policy, and lingua franca on English.. Assess the impact of English on indigenous languages..

  3. Week 3Module 1: The English Language in Nigeria
    • Unit 3: The Functions of the English Language in Nigeria · 2 hours

      Discuss the functions of English in education, government, commerce, and media.. Describe the functional relations between English and indigenous languages.. Analyze the role of English in national unity..

  4. Week 4Module 1: The English Language in Nigeria
    • Unit 4: The Sociolinguistic Consequences of English in Nigeria · 2 hours

      Highlight the sociolinguistic consequences of English in Nigeria.. Discuss multilingualism, Pidgin English, and Creole emergence.. Explain how language contact leads to varieties of English..

  5. Week 5Module 2: The Classifications of English Language in Nigeria
    • Unit 1: The Classifications of English Language in Nigeria · 2 hours

      Describe the unique features of English language in Nigeria.. Analyze classifications by Brosnaham, Banjo, Bamgbose, and Awonusi.. Compare features with native English speakers..

  6. Week 6Module 2: The Classifications of English Language in Nigeria
    • Unit 2: The Nigerian English Debate · 2 hours

      Outline varieties of English used in Nigeria.. Describe functional statuses of the varieties.. Recommend varieties to be regarded as Nigerian English..

  7. Week 7Module 2: The Classifications of English Language in Nigeria
    • Unit 3: The Nativisation of English in Nigeria · 2 hours

      Describe Nigerian English as a variety of English.. Examine the level of nativization to meet local needs.. Analyze peculiar features of English in Nigeria..

  8. Week 8Module 3: The Linguistic Features of Nigerian English
    • Unit 1: The Phonological Features · 2 hours

      Examine the phonological structure of English in Nigeria.. Describe sounds and suprasegments in Nigerian English.. Analyze differences in Nigerian English and native speakers' phonology..

  9. Week 9Module 3: The Linguistic Features of Nigerian English
    • Unit 2: The Grammatical Features of Nigerian English · 2 hours

      Describe English language in Nigeria at the sentence-building level.. Examine features that differentiate it from native speakers' variety.. Highlight Nigerianness in this variety..

  10. Week 10Module 3: The Linguistic Features of Nigerian English
    • Unit 3: The Lexico-Semantic Features of Nigerian English · 2 hours

      Explain lexico-semantics as a resource of language development.. Describe how lexes in Nigerian English are formed.. Identify processes involved in Nigerian English lexico-semantics..

  11. Week 11Module 3: The Linguistic Features of Nigerian English
    • Unit 4: The Discourse Features in Nigerian English · 2 hours

      Assess Nigerian English in relation to discourse features.. Discuss discourse features of Nigerian English.. List factors influencing choice of discourse particles in Nigerian English..

  12. Week 12Module 4: Varieties of English in Nigeria
    • Unit 1: Standard Nigerian English · 2 hours

      Explain the notion of Standard English.. Describe the structure of the English language in Nigeria.. Examine the features of Standard Nigerian English..

    • Unit 2: Non-Standard Nigerian English · 2 hours

      Describe non-standard Nigerian English.. Identify features that make a variety of English non-standard..

  13. Week 13Module 4: Varieties of English in Nigeria
    • Unit 3: Nigerian Pidgin English and its Functions · 2 hours

      Find out what Nigerian Pidgin English is.. Examine features that make Nigerian Pidgin different from other varieties of Nigerian English.. Discuss the functional domain of Nigerian Pidgin English in Nigeria..

    • Unit 4: Structural Difference between Pidgin English and English Language · 2 hours

      Compare the structure of Pidgin English and Standard Nigerian English.. Examine areas of differences in the two varieties of English.. Assess the extent of differences and similarities..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create a detailed study schedule, allocating specific time slots for each unit.
  • Focus on understanding the key concepts and classifications of Nigerian English.
  • Practice identifying phonological and grammatical features of Nigerian English in various texts.
  • Review the functions and status of English in different sectors of Nigerian society.
  • Prepare for essay questions on the national language question and language policies in Nigeria.

Questions students ask about this course

What is ENG353 about?

This course introduces students to the sociolinguistic features of the English language in Nigeria. It explores the nature, characteristics, and classifications of Nigerian English, including regional dialects. The course examines the relationship between English, Nigerian languages, Pidgin English, and Creoles. It also covers the functions and status of English in Nigeria, problems of interference and intelligibility, and the national language question.

How many units does ENG353 have?

ENG353, English Language In Nigeria, has 20 units across 5 modules, over 215 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is ENG353?

ENG353 carries 3 credit units, at 300 level in Arts.

Is ENG353 hard?

ENG353 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.

How long does ENG353 take to study?

About 26 hours of study, spread across its 20 units.

How is ENG353 assessed?

ENG353 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.

What can I do with ENG353?

Linguist, Language Teacher, Translator, Interpreter and Communication Specialist.

More courses in Arts

ISL312

Exegesis of the Qurán

2 credit units

Open ISL312
IGB321

Syntax of Igbo II

2 credit units

Open IGB321
YOR312

Naming in Yoruba

2 credit units

Open YOR312