The functions of english in nigeria from the earliest times to the present day article pdf available in english today 2502. In this lesson, learn about the history of the young country of nigeria, which gained independence from britain in 1960. Communication in the english language is much more popular in the countrys urban communities than it is in the rural areas. English language dominance and the fate of indigenous. The history of nigeria can be traced to prehistoric settlers nigerians living in the area as early as 1100 bc. Pdf on jan 1, 20, oreoluwa solomon and others published history of english language in nigeria find, read and cite all the research. From the start of the 800 bc to 200 ad, the jos plateau followed the neolithic nok culture. 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. 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. Since history relies heavily on written documents as records of the past, it follows logically that the roots of language must be prehistoric. There are over 500 native languages spoken in nigeria. Thats all about the history of english language in nigeria, now lets check it main 10 uses. Ironically, it is also nigerias dominant language, with the use of english being taught at various levels of the nigerian educational system prenursery schools. Pdf history of english language in nigeria researchgate.
Having been colonised by the british, the future of english language is 100% guaranteed in nigeria. Nigerias population needed to learn english to be able to. It is the most widely spoken language, although english is the official language of nigeria. It is a second language because nigerians already had their first language or mother tongue l1 before the incursion of this foreign language called english into the country. This free course, exploring the english language, will consider the development of the english language from. Nigeria has a long history, with its roots in early civilisations of distinguished artistry. However, it is believed that the first intimate contact between the british and some ethnic groupings in nigeria was in southern nigeria. The spectrum of english in nigeria ranges from standard english through a more general english whose structures are influenced by the mother tongues, by the indian english of many traders and teachers, and by wape west african pidgin english, which is sometimes acquired as a mother tongue in such urban areas as calabar and port harcourt, usually along with one or more local languages.
The instrument was divided into four parts to cater for four variables. Old english 4501100 ad, middle english 1100circa 1500 ad and modern english since 1500. The nigerian national senior secondary schools curriculum. History and importance of english language in nigeria education. In terms and also an aspect of communication, english language is used worldwide.
English has been one of the major languages in the world. English is the official language in nigeria was made so to unite the country linguistically and culturally. The origin of english language in nigeria and its importance legit. The english language is nigerias official language and serves as the second language to most of its nigerian users. These slaves were bought and sold in the americas by europeans who lived there. 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.
English is the official language of nigeria, a former british protectorate. History of nigeria history of newspapers in nigeria. As we have already mentioned earlier, the origin of english language in nigeria makes it start from the colonial period. 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. What future does the english language have in nigeria. Nigerian english, also known as nigerian standard english, is a dialect of english spoken in. Lets bring some clear information to the history of english language in nigeria. Though the constitution has been revised in 1979, 1993, and 1999. In addition to english, hausa, yoruba, igbo, fula, and english creole are widely spoken. Over the centuries, the english language has been influenced by a number of other languages. Hundreds of languages are spoken in the country, including yoruba. What are the functions of english language in nigeria.
The history of english language in nigeria has started many years ago. When every guiding and holding factors are scrutinized, the history and role of the english language in nigeria is something noteworthy. The third and modern stage is from the beginning of the 20th c to the present age. 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 accordance with the nigeria constitution first written in 1963 when nigeria became a republic was heavily based on the us constitution. Nigerian english became a nativized language that functions uniquely within its own cultural context. How has the english language changed over the course of the last 500 years. Nigerians enjoyed a few years of democracy before rule by various military. The nigerian national senior secondary schools curriculum and its implications for admission into universities 1mrs. Numerous ancient african civilizations settled in the region that is today nigeria, such as the kingdom of nri, the benin empire, and the oyo empire.
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. Nigeria as a country has different cultures and ethnic groups. Pdf a brief history of the development of the english. The country is also home to more than 520 languages, but there are many more languages which are yet to be classified. 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. A brief history of the development of the english language. 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.
Going by this historical position, it is safe to conclude that english predates colonization in nigeria. It appears to be the second language in lots of countries. The use of english as the official language in nigeria defuses ethnic conflicts and yet questions the authenticity and identifies of the users. Still, stylistic devices are painted with all bright national and cultural specifics. Quantitative indicators from cameroon, nigeria, rwanda, bangladesh and pakistan the findings of this study were developed through primary source interviews across a wide cross section of private and public sector subjects. What are the social and political contexts that have affected how these changes have come about. Nigeria, country located on the western coast of africa.
The christian missionaries who came from great britain introduced formal western education to nigeria, just before the middle of the 19 th century. The exact date that english language usage started in nigeria is not certain. Today the english language could be named as one of the most widely used languages in the world. The benefits of the english language for individuals and societies. The english language and sustainable development in nigeria. But it managed to affect the nigerian culture so much that people can still see its influence. The first phase is from the beginning of the 15c to the end of 18th c. 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. In spite of the series of curriculum developments over the years, the nigerian education sector. History of english language in nigeria the christian missionaries who came from great britain introduced formal western education to nigeria. In nigeria, basic education has been influenced greatly by these curriculum changes. The english language, like all languages, traces its ultimate ancestry to a time predating the written word. The acquisition and use of english as a second language in nigeria tope omoniyi.
Brief history of curriculum development in nigeria under the influence of curriculum changes, nigerias education system has undergone a series of developments beginning as far back as 1842. Islam reached nigeria through the borno empire between 1068 bc and hausa states around 85 ad during the 11th century, while. 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. The history of the english language has traditionally been divided into three main periods. Pdf the functions of english in nigeria from the earliest times to. History of english language in nigeria and top 10 uses. Nigerian english, also known as nigerian standard english, is a dialect of english spoken in nigeria. Trace the history of english language in nigeria answers. The english language in nigeria reflects the uniqueness of african reality and african mentality in its own way and, in general, the linguistic picture of the world of nigerians. However, nigerias most diverse feature is its people. It originated in the 1960s when england was in control and. Pdf the use of the english language in nigeria dates back to the late sixteenth.
English language is termed as nigeria second language, it is being used as a communication tool by. Nigeria simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The official language of nigeria is english, the former language of colonial british nigeria. The history of english in nigeria dates back to early 19th century when the colony was ruled by british empire. The place of english language in the development of nigeria. Nigeria and the roles of english language from historical perspectives. The plateau area around jos was a meeting point for cultural influences from the upper niger valley where agriculture developed independently as early as 5000 bce and from egypt. By the year 2000 bc, almost all the parts of nigeria were inhabited with people who knew the basics of growing food plants and herding animals. History of english language in nigeria the christian missionaries who came from great britain introduced formal western education to nigeria, just before the middle of the 19thcentury.
List of nigerian languages history, location, people and. The functions of nigerian english in relation to other nigerian languages v. History of english language in nigeria english is the official language in nigeria was made so to unite the country linguistically and culturally. Currently, english is the official language in most african countries, which are the former colonies of great britain. The benefits of the english language for individuals and. From the 1500s to the 1800s, many people from the land now called nigeria and other parts of west africa were taken away and turned into slaves by europeans, and they were sent to work in the americas. History of english language in nigeria and top 10 uses problems. Brief history of english language in nigeria library gurus.
International journal of history and cultural studies ijhcs. As reported in 2003, nigerian english and nigerian pidgin were spoken as a second language by 60 million people in nigeria. York university, department of history, 2000 pdf files hausa language resources on the web. The people of the nok culture made terra cotta sculptures and.
English performs the following major roles in nigeria. Everything official in nigeria is been done with the use of english language, it is nigerias official language. English is spoken by the urban populations but still the rural population of the country speaks the native languages like igbo and yoruba. Biafra, nigeria, the west and the world the colonial and precolonial. This has always resulted in arguments about the choice of indigenous languages for official and national purposes because. As the official language, the english language has come to be seen as probably the most important language because it. As a second language, its acquisition makes its nigerian users either bilingual or multi lingual. The history of english language in nigeria answers. English especially the variety known as nigerian pidgin english functions as a lingua franca in this multilingual country. History and importance of english language in nigeria. This is a brief history of english language in 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. Advent of english language in nigeria global academic group. The impact of lagos on the english language of nigeria 1.
Nigeria has a diverse geography, with climates ranging from arid to humid equatorial. Adejuyigbe 1head, technical and vocational department, st. Sources1 one of the most difficult issues in lexicography is documenting usages in a semiwritten language. These languages can be classified into two main language families. History of nigeria history of newspapers in nigeria history of english language in nigeria. Hausa was an official language of the northern states from 1951 to 1967. This must have been at some period before the atlantic slave trade. A second language is one that comes after ones primary language. It is estimated that nigerian pidgin english is the native language of approximately 3 to 5 million people and is a second language for at least. Nigeria is the most populous country in africa with over 186 million residents. The first ones, who was able to share the language among nigerian natives were the christian missionaries. Dominics high school, ilesa road, akure, nigeria 2federal university, oye ekiti fuoye, ikole ekiti campus. The english move into the land of the igbo followed shortly thereafter, covering the period.
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