Project Abstract

Abstract
This research project delves into the intricate process of lexical borrowing from English into Hausa, focusing on the linguistic implications and cultural influences of this phenomenon. The study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the patterns, motivations, and outcomes of lexical borrowing in the context of the Hausa language, one of the major languages spoken in West Africa. The research methodology involves a thorough examination of lexical items borrowed from English and integrated into the Hausa lexicon. This analysis includes identifying the types of borrowed words, their semantic fields, phonological adaptations, and morphological integration within the Hausa linguistic system. By utilizing both qualitative and quantitative research methods, the study aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms driving the borrowing process and the impact of borrowed lexicon on the Hausa language structure. Furthermore, the research explores the sociolinguistic aspects of lexical borrowing, investigating the social dynamics and language contact situations that facilitate the transfer of lexical items from English to Hausa. By examining the historical, political, and cultural factors influencing language interaction between English and Hausa speakers, the study seeks to elucidate the broader implications of lexical borrowing on language identity and language maintenance in multilingual societies. The findings of this research project contribute to the existing body of knowledge on language contact and lexical borrowing by presenting a detailed analysis of the English loanwords in the Hausa language. The study sheds light on the complex interplay between linguistic borrowing, language change, and cultural adaptation, highlighting the dynamic nature of language evolution in diverse sociocultural contexts. Overall, this research project offers valuable insights into the processes and outcomes of lexical borrowing from English to Hausa, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of language contact and the rich linguistic diversity inherent in multilingual communities. By examining the patterns and implications of lexical borrowing in Hausa, the study provides a nuanced understanding of the complex interactions between languages and cultures, paving the way for further research in the field of contact linguistics and sociolinguistics.

Project Overview

1.0   Introduction

This project is centered on An In-depth Study on Lexical Borrowing from English to Hausa, with the aim to study the English and Hausa lexical loan words. The concept borrowing has been defined and explains by different scholars. It is a universal socio-linguistic phenomenon which is as a result of different cultures in contact, as a result of this contact cultural items filter freely from one culture to another.

This is true in the case of language as there is a dare need for communication between speakers of different language communities who come into contact. This is therefore in the case with language development through lexical borrowing in English and Hausa.

It is a common fact that no language can live in isolation without interacting with neibouring or other language around it. The interaction could be political, economic and social In a situation where a language remains without new words, there is every tendency that such language would logging behind other language.

The borrower words are often referred to technology e.g. machine, engine, telephone e.t.c. language which is the major need of any society.

It is almost impossible for any language to remain purely on its own unless the speakers do not leave their domain for another and similarly do not allow speakers of another language in to their domain. Lexical borrowing is common in most languages because no language is an inland on its own, it is on this note this project will discuss the phenomenon of language development through lexical borrowing. It is going to deal with study of English and Hausa language as each borrowing from one another.