It is chosen to be the official language partially because people of some parts speak english because of the colonies ruled by the british which came to an end in the year 1960. English is considered the official language in nigeria and widely used for communication in the workplace and school. In accordance with the constitution of the largest country in africa and one of the largest countries in the world the federal republic of nigeria more than 190 million people, english is the official language. Language situation at the colonia era when britain took over as the colonial power in nigeria, english became the tool with which the new territory would be administered. In subsequent paragraphs, the paper will shed more light on the history. The english language and sustainable development in nigeria. Speaking english language is not easy but learning to speak is easy. Ironically, it is also nigerias dominant language, with the use of english being taught at various levels of the nigerian educational system prenursery schools, nursery schools, primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions of learning. Nigeria is a multilingual country comprises of different ethnic groups, which occupied geographically, a complicated landscape from its historiccultural, political, economic and educational developments. It is the most widely spoken language, although english is the official language of nigeria. Two main modern pronouncements on language policy in nigeria merit our attention, to wit the national policy on education 1977, revised in 1981, and the 1979 constitution, which is more cited than its 1989 reincarnation. Sources1 one of the most difficult issues in lexicography is documenting usages in a semiwritten language. Effects of english language on national development olofin alabi olusoji principal lecturer, the federal polytechnic, adoekiti, ekiti state, nigeria. Apart from the first three years of a childs life in the primary school that was mentioned in the national policy on education, the rest of the.
In addition to english, hausa, yoruba, igbo, fula, and english creole are widely spoken. So, it is a nigerian language that has orthography and literature. English is the official language of nigeria, a former british protectorate. Finally, the study identified that the use of mother tongueindigenous language should be chosen to enhance academic performances of. English is a west germanic language that arose in england and southeastern scotland in the time of the anglosaxons. Additionally, loanwords and collocations have emerged from the native languages of nigeria, which come from the need to express concepts specific. Today the english language could be named as one of the most widely used languages in the world. Institute of political studies, faculty of political studies, charles university in prague, czech republic. Problems and prospects of english language in nigeria. The official language of nigeria, english, the former colonial language, was chosen to facilitate the cultural and linguistic unity of the country. List of nigerian languages history, location, people and. The major languages spoken in nigeria are yoruba, hausa, igbo, fulfulde, kanuri, and ibibio. Linguistic change, growth and development lyons 1987 posits that linguistics is the scientific study of language.
History of english language in nigeria and top 10 uses. Igbo, as a language, is taught as a subject in primary and secondary schools, colleges of education and the universities in nigeria. Even though most ethnic groups prefer to communicate in their own languages, english, being the official. According to preliminary results of the 2006 census and subsequent estimates, the most populous cities in nigeria are lagos about 8 million, kano 3. Pdf on jan 1, 20, oreoluwa solomon and others published history of english language in nigeria find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. In the early nineties, the british stormed the country and as our colonial masters left the language which is now the general language used in schools and public invent. Going by this historical position, it is safe to conclude that english predates colonization in nigeria. Prior to then, education was done informally, as children were taught tradition, culture, history, and the likes by their parents who were in turn taught by their own parents. The english language is the language of education in nigeria ndimele 2006. In some areas of nigeria, ethnic groups speak more than one language. The origin of english language in nigeria and its importance legit. A second language is one that comes after ones primary language.
You can learn more about nigerian colonization by the. Nigerian english usage and the tyranny of faulty analogy iii. History of the english language carsonnewman college. Nigeria history, language and culture world travel guide. English language is termed as nigeria second language, it is being used as a communication tool by everyone in the country. History of english language in nigeria english is the official language in nigeria was made so to unite the country linguistically and culturally. By population, nigeria is in first place in africa, and in the eighth in the world. The main aim is to identify the various causes of linguistic variations. The functions of nigerian english in relation to other nigerian languages v. The status of english language in nigeria the english language is nigerias second language. Nigeria languages major and minor langauges spoken in.
As reported in 2003, nigerian english and nigerian pidgin were spoken as a second language by 60 million people in nigeria. English is spoken by the urban populations but still the rural population of the country speaks the native languages like igbo and yoruba. Pdf history of english language in nigeria researchgate. The multilingual problem in nigeria, the use of english a foreign language as the countrys official language and the resultant conflict over which indigenous language should replace english as the official language stemmed from british colonization of nigeria. Nigeria as a country has different cultures and ethnic groups. Introduction of problems of teaching english as a second language in nigeria secondary school background of the study statement of the problems purpose of the study. There is a widened western educational gap between the north and south of nigeria with the predominantly muslim areas of the north lagging behind due to some.
Sources1 one of the most difficult issues in lexicography is documenting usages in. September, 2011 page 20 journal of the nigeria english studies association jnesa 14. Nigerian english, also known as nigerian standard english, is a dialect of english spoken in. In terms and also an aspect of communication, english language is used worldwide. The states of kanem and borno, which flourished on the shores of lake chad from about ad 10 onwards, were the first imperial states in the region, founded on control of transsaharan trade routes. Language is used to defining the characteristics of every nation. It is only a language which the peoples of nigeria can use to relate with one another that can be used to build the nation. The origin of english language in nigeria is connected with the colonial period. Since history relies heavily on written documents as records of the past, it follows logically that the roots of language must be prehistoric. Promoting the teaching and learning of english language in. Abstractalthough english language is now the language of government, business and commerce, education, the mass media, literature and internal as well as external communication, there are still problems in the teaching of english as a second language in secondary schools. Importance of english language in nigeria free essays.
This paper traces the history of english language in nigeria, is unique role in international politics and examines the manner in which it has come to assume a. Although english language is nigerias lingua franca, more efforts are needed to teach it in schools before its full developmental potentials can be achieved in the country. The difference between nigeria and italy is that nigeria claims to be an english speaking country while italy is not. Effects of english language on national development. The christian missionaries who came from great britain introduced formal western education to nigeria, just before the middle of the 19 th century. The importance of english in nigeria obviously goes beyond the boundary of academic, administrative, political, commercial, and religious communication alone. English language is the interconnecting language amongst nigerians from different geopolitical zones and different ethnicities. Aug 14, 20 nigerian english the variety i have chosen belongs to the second group. The importance of english language is spreading geographically. Dictionary of nigerian english circulation draft roger blench 1 introduction these notes are intended to raise some issues on sources, interpretation and the definition of nigerian english. The instrument was divided into four parts to cater for four variables.
It appears to be the second language in lots of countries. This article examines the role of english in nigeria as a medium of communication, political activitiessocial and academic guidance from its historical perspective, and the duration of gradual transition to the present status of bilingualism and its democratization of language in conformity with national unification. English in nigeria nigeria is one of the six west african states that have english as an official language. The functions of english in nigeria from the earliest times to the present day article pdf available in english today 2502. Students presume that english language is a difficult language to learn and so do not make. Badagry served as a major means for the penetration of english language into nigeria. Abuja has been the capital of nigeria since december 12, 1991. Pdf on jan 1, 20, oreoluwa solomon and others published history of english language in nigeria find, read and cite all the research. Nigerian english became a nativized language that functions uniquely within its own. It is being taught in schools from the prenursery down to the tertiary institutions.
Ironically, it is also nigerias dominant language, with the use of english being taught at various levels of the nigerian educational system prenursery schools, nurser. The english language, like all languages, traces its ultimate ancestry to a time predating the written word. Nigerian english became a nativized language that functions uniquely within its own cultural context. Apr, 2018 the history of nigeria explained in 6 minutes 3,000 years of nigerian history epimetheus on patreon. In the world there are many languages being spoken.
Pdf the functions of english in nigeria from the earliest. Thus, it is the nigerian literature in english, far more than its indigenous language counterpart, that has raised issues of culturecontact and cultureconflict, the place of tradition in the modern ethos, the problems of the administration of a modern polity, as well as notions of sexism and the place of the womenfolk in our new reality. Even usage of english in nigeria is another good evidence of the influence of language on social cohesion. Nigeria history, language and culture history of nigeria. The answer to your question depends on the following. Thats all about the history of english language in nigeria, now lets check it main 10 uses. The paper suggests that, the language policy can be used to foster a desirable and the real nigerianism philosophy of our forefathers. Oct 14, 2019 english is the official language of nigeria, a former british protectorate.
The english language of the nigeria police udo victoria chinwe general studies unit, tansian university, umunya, anambra state, nigeria. The history of nigeria explained in 6 minutes 3,000 years. The official language of nigeria is english, the former language of colonial. Consequently, this paper sought to highlight the roles the english language performs in the building. This article examines the role of english in nigeria as a medium of. Brief history of english language in nigeria library gurus. The history of nigeria explained in 6 minutes 3,000 years of nigerian history epimetheus on patreon.
Students presume that english language is a difficult language to learn and so do not make effort to learn it. Why is english chosen as nigerias official language. The importance of english language is spreading geographically in the world there are many languages being spoken. English especially the variety known as nigerian pidgin english functions as a lingua franca in this multilingual country. It is hoped that ultimately, this research work will help advance the course of learning english to improve proficiency among users of the language in nigeria. Ironically, it is also nigeria s dominant language, with the use of english being taught at various levels of the nigerian educational system prenursery schools, nursery schools, primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions of learning. History and importance of english language in nigeria. The official language of nigeria is english, the former language of colonial british nigeria. There are over 500 native languages spoken in nigeria. The purpose of this paper is to describe some features of nigerian english lexical, phonological and grammatical features and its status in education and culture. History of english language in nigeria through civilization. The state of the english language in nigeria education 2. If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. Each part has five 5 questions four 4 of which were in a yes, no, and not sure scale the fifth question in each part was openended, mainly to allow the respondents to express themselves.
History of english language in nigeria and top 10 uses problems. English is the official language in nigeria was made so to unite the country linguistically and culturally. Educational policy in nigeria hauwa imam educational policy in nigeria from the colonial era to the postindependence period hauwa imam1 abstract. Ikweres in the present rivers state and the igbankes in the present edo state, all in nigeria speak dialects of igbo language. Like south african english, its nativization and development as a new world english corresponds roughly with the period of colonization and postcolonization by britain.
English language, as one of the recognized ligua franqer in the world over, is nigerias official language, and a means of communication, even while one is outside the country. The result also shows that multilingualism affects teaching and learning and general performance of students and the educational system in nigeria. Characteristics of nigerian english essay 1954 words. The history of nigeria explained in 6 minutes 3,000 years of. It is important to note that, english language goes as far as to the. The spectrum of english in nigeria ranges from standard english through a more general english whose structures are.
Advent of english language in nigeria global academic group. It is unfortunate that those who speak english in nigeria far below nativelike control of grammatical, phonological and pragmatic competencies to claim literacy in the. Implications for english language teaching and learning in nigeria. Nigerian english, also known as nigerian standard english, is a dialect of english spoken in nigeria. Hausa was an official language of the northern states from 1951 to 1967. History and importance of english language in nigeria by vastfinderblogm.
Educational policy in nigeria from the colonial era to the. Nigerian english the variety i have chosen belongs to the second group. English is one of them which become international language. This role falls on the english language which is the nations official and second language, as well as her lingua franca. English language is a worldwide language, and its the means of communication in over 30% of all countries in the world. The acquisition and use of english as a second language in nigeria tope omoniyi. The study also may set a basis for highlighting and expanding views on the danger of declining proficiency in the use of english in nigeria. The state of the english language in nigeria education. English language, being a borrowed language so to say, is a language worth speaking. English has been one of the major languages in the world. Following the economic, political, military, scientific, cultural, and colonial influence of great britain and the united kingdom from the 18th century, and of the united states since the mid 20th century,it has been widely dispersed around the world. Nigerian pidgin english is a version of english and ethnic nigerian languages spoken as a kind of lingua franca across nigeria and is referred to simply as pidgin, broken english or broken.