Project Abstract

Syntactic innovation processes in Nigerian languages have been a subject of growing interest in recent linguistic research. This study aims to explore the ways in which Nigerian languages undergo syntactic innovations, focusing on the factors that drive these changes and the implications for the overall linguistic landscape of Nigeria. The research employs a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze syntactic innovations in Nigerian languages. Data collection involves the examination of written texts, oral narratives, and language corpora to identify instances of syntactic innovation. The analysis is guided by the framework of generative grammar, which provides a theoretical foundation for understanding the underlying principles of syntax in Nigerian languages. The findings reveal that syntactic innovations in Nigerian languages are driven by a variety of factors, including language contact, language change, and language evolution. Contact with other languages, such as English and Arabic, has led to the adoption of new syntactic structures and constructions in Nigerian languages. Additionally, internal factors within the languages themselves, such as grammaticalization processes and discourse-pragmatic factors, play a role in shaping syntactic innovations. The study also highlights the sociolinguistic implications of syntactic innovations in Nigerian languages. As Nigerian languages continue to evolve and adapt to changing social contexts, the syntactic innovations observed in this study reflect the dynamic nature of language in Nigeria. These innovations not only enrich the linguistic diversity of Nigeria but also contribute to the ongoing development of the country's linguistic heritage. Overall, this research contributes to our understanding of the syntactic innovation processes in Nigerian languages and sheds light on the complex interplay of factors that drive linguistic change in this multilingual country. By examining the ways in which syntactic innovations occur in Nigerian languages, this study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying language evolution and variation in Nigeria.

Project Overview

This study investigates the syntactic features of Nigerian English which have been created

through the following processes – the use of subjectless sentences, reduplication, double subjects,

Pidgin-influenced structures, discourse particles, verbless sentences, and substitution. It observes

that the fact that some features of Nigerian English syntax are shared by other new Englishes is a

healthy development for the identity of non-native varieties around the world. It finally recommends

the codification of the new norms into variety-specific grammars and a common grammar

of new Englishes.