Thesis Abstract

Language plays a crucial role in the broadcast media sector in Nigeria, as it is the primary medium through which information is disseminated to the public. However, the Nigerian broadcast media faces a myriad of language problems that impact its effectiveness and reach. This research project aims to explore and analyze the language problems in the Nigerian broadcast media, focusing on issues such as code-switching, language variety, and language proficiency among broadcasters. One of the key language problems in the Nigerian broadcast media is code-switching, which refers to the practice of alternating between two or more languages within a single discourse. Code-switching is commonly observed in Nigerian television and radio programs, where broadcasters seamlessly switch between English, Pidgin English, and various Nigerian languages. While code-switching can enhance audience engagement and cultural representation, excessive and inappropriate code-switching can hinder comprehension and alienate certain segments of the audience. Another language problem in the Nigerian broadcast media is the use of different language varieties. Nigeria is a linguistically diverse country with over 500 languages spoken across its regions. This linguistic diversity is reflected in the broadcast media, where broadcasters may use different language varieties based on their region or audience demographics. However, the use of multiple language varieties can pose challenges in terms of standardization, consistency, and audience comprehension. It is essential for broadcasters to strike a balance between linguistic diversity and clarity to effectively communicate with a wide audience. Language proficiency among broadcasters is another critical issue in the Nigerian broadcast media. While English is the official language of communication in Nigeria, not all broadcasters possess the same level of proficiency in the language. This can result in communication barriers, inaccuracies in reporting, and a lack of credibility among audiences. Improving language proficiency through training and language development programs can help enhance the quality of broadcasting in Nigeria and ensure that information is effectively communicated to the public. In conclusion, language problems in the Nigerian broadcast media are multifaceted and require careful attention to ensure effective communication and audience engagement. By addressing issues such as code-switching, language variety, and language proficiency, broadcasters can enhance their communication strategies and reach a wider audience in Nigeria.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

This study was prompted by the prevailing circumstances surrounding the contemporary Nigerians concerning language and communication (broadcasting) broadcasting media since. Its inception has been serving as a means of communication through which an individual shares in the world around him and beyond his immediate environment. By this if means that with broadcasting Nigeria has to partake of ideas them to adjust to the challenges of industrialization and adopted of innovation. What then is the language that is appropriate far this challenges a head of us? Can this 250 languages spoken in Nigeria make a headway or are we to adopt one and only languages since we claim to be a developed nation far effectiveness for our broadcasters.

One appreciates that this topic has many dimensions. It could be looked at from the purely linguistic, the communication (both mass and inter personal) from the political the economic, the social as well as the cultural. An attempt will also be made to examine as many of this factors as possible under the following sub titles.

The problem of multilingual society.

The origin and nature of language

The language experiments in other part of the world and the language for Nigeria.

The key variables language and “broadcasting have provoked very any discusses in the past to make this one not too necessary.

The very crucial role of language in broadcasting and consequently the great impact of the turn variables to human communication makes the study of language and its relationship to better communication an essential condition. Both language and broadcasting serve as means to communicate ends. While language serves as means of broadcasting both radio and television, serves as a medium mass communication. When we think of language, we think of syntax and of course attach conventional sense and usage to our expression.

For the development of the elements of human communication, these is need for language acquisition of language and its proper use call for the marriage of roles between the linguist and the grammarian. There is a value immediately suggested in the fact that the current grammar of a language focuses upon actual language behaviour instead of “paper language” as Havens (1965) calls ordinary linguistic material. In addition, as for as the study of language is concerned there is a distinct advantage in stressing actual acquisition of responses of speaking and reading. When we think of the language acquisition, we do not think of the acquisition of just words and ideas in solution. We should think of the acquisition in a wider context of the district ability to express attention using language as a means of modifying behaviour as a means of discovery and proper adjustment to our environment. We should think of the acquisition in a wider context of the district ability to express intention, using language as a means of modifying behaviour, as a means of modifying behaviour, as a means of discovery and proper adjustment to our environment.

Language thus generated function to communicate general attitudes towards life, creating what the anthologist Bronislour malinowish call “ a phatic communion” a type of speech in which these types of union are created by a more exchange of words. Attaining this state envisaged by malinewise calls for skill a still borne out of good grip on the means of achieving this end. Acquisition of this special skill call for the ideas of been “Jack of all trade but mastery of none” far this skills to be established and maintained we have to adopt and maintain one language only.

To be more precise, the broadcast communicator because the deals in more instantaneous way with this cliff tool, language, should not only be skilled on the control of all his resources, he should be a linguist and in fact, a grammarian. If is obvious that how adjustments are made is conditioned by the speech techniques that have been imposed upon the individual by the cultural circumstances in which he is reared. Just as he is made to act in a way, so is he required to speak in a certain manner. The fact that language is an important key to verbal human communication goes to stress the vital role assigned to linguistics.

Jesperson notes that the desence of language human activities on the part of are individual to make him understood by another and an activity on the part of the other to understand what was in the mind of the first. Wards and forms are treated as if they were things or natural objects with an existence of their own. When a doctor fails to cure his patient, it is after because he has arred in his diagnosis. His treats tuberculosis when the object of the attract is really, pernicious anemia.

This is the same case when it comes to language as a problem to broadcasting media in Nigeria today. Instead of adopting are and only language we went as far as obtaining about 250 languages there by creating a serious problem as far as communication is concerned . As William Shakepeare put it in king Lear “ mend your speech as a little lest it mar your fortune” I believe that is the first insurance against our chaotic language situation and to promote national integration we must head Shakespeare’s advice to “mend our speech a little”.

Further more, our ethnic language limit the economic range of the individual, particular, as explained earlier, the illustrate members of our society who do not understand the English language. With bare home education by her father, herself as one of the greatest writes of the English language. Her success, apart from the innate factor, has been attributed to her being convenient with the language in her day to day life. She was bore in it, lived in it and works it. But in this country if anyone does not have at least a credit in English language at the school certificate or its equivalent, he is doomed.

Apart from religion, it is generally agreed that the greatest causes of wares is perhaps language differences. Language is what mainly distinguishes are tribes from other. Because there are many languages in a country there is tribalism. These and some other dangers on language as far as communication ( broadcasting) is concerned as could be seen in the literature review. An appraisal of the above will put are in no doubt that the researcher’s decision to delve into this problem is rational, justified and worthy, if the statement of Jane Austen is deemed to be true because if the nation will be mindful enough to choose are and only language I feel every one not only broadcasting media will be like Jane Austen.

This is because everybody will be conversant with the language in her to day life and as a result there will be effectiveness in all ramifications.

1.2 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

In this project topic attempt will be made to examine this problems such as the difficulties which a multingual society has caused to over broadcasting media in the Nigeria contest questions such as the origin and nature of language. What is language? How does it work ? How do ever established the areas of common interest in languages generally. The language experiments in other pats of the world. The language for Nigeria. There are the major removable problems we vented to tackle and provide solutions to its study.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This study stands to achieve the following purpose. To study the language problems of multilingual society. To know the origin and nature of language. To choose the language that is suitable for communication e.g broadcast media in Nigeria.

To establish one and only language as an indigenous language throughout the country for proper and effective broadcast commination in the country.

1.4 THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is generally centered an the topic “ language problem in Nigeria broadcast media. A lot of efforts have been made to make sure that the sub –topic discussed does not go beyond the scope of main topic. Although the study will look into such issues as language and communication. But the main focus is to climate the 250 languages adopted in Nigeria and to establish one only for communication such as broadcast media in the Nigeria context.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

There is virtually no group of individual in the contemporary Nigerian nation that cannot benefit from this study. This topic has been a controversial issues facing everybody especially communication exports, practicing journalists, potential journalists, Agriculturists, baking industries and a host of others.

It is to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that as a result. Nigerians have become jack of all trade but mastery of non when it comes to language and communication but more emphasis is laid in broadcast media.

If this objectives are achieved, people will no longer find it difficult to communicate they will be in a better position be born and breed into a particular language and there will be more effectiveness for broadcasting media when it comes to spoken and written languages.

1.6 HYPOTHSIS

i. Language has posed a very big problem in Nigeria as far as broadcast communication is concerned .

ii. Many options have been proffered in both newspaper articles and in discussions by Nigerians.

iii. Some people have suggested that since many Nigerians understand the pidgin English and so it should be adopted as a national language to the exclusion of others.

iv. One other suggestion is that a nations language should be allowed to develop unconsciously from all the forms of communication privately in the country.

v. Some say that the three major languages should be adopted namely: Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba for broadcast

vi. Some suggest that Nigeria should adopt one of the indigenous language correctly spoken in the country.

vii. The final proponet is that the English language should be adopted as language for communication .i. e (broadcast) to the exclusive of all others.