Language problems in nigeria broadcast media

Project Abstract

Language plays a critical role in the effectiveness of communication, particularly in the broadcast media sector. In Nigeria, a country with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, language problems in the broadcast media have been a significant issue. This research aims to explore the language problems faced by broadcasters in Nigeria and their impact on the quality of communication. The study employs a qualitative research design, utilizing interviews and content analysis of broadcast programs to gather data. Key findings indicate that the use of multiple languages in broadcasts, particularly in news programs, poses challenges for both broadcasters and audiences. This multilingual approach is intended to reach a wider audience but often leads to confusion and misunderstandings due to the diverse language proficiency levels among viewers. Furthermore, the dominance of English, as the official language, in Nigerian broadcast media has implications for inclusivity and representation. The overreliance on English neglects the rich linguistic diversity in the country and marginalizes non-English speakers. This results in a disconnect between broadcasters and certain segments of the audience, hindering effective communication and engagement. Moreover, the research highlights the issue of code-switching and code-mixing in broadcasts, where presenters often switch between languages within a single program. While this practice may be common in informal settings, it can be disruptive in professional broadcasts and diminish the credibility of the content. Code-switching also raises concerns about language proficiency and the need for broadcasters to maintain a high standard of linguistic competence. Additionally, the study examines the role of indigenous languages in Nigerian broadcast media. Despite efforts to promote indigenous languages, their presence remains limited, primarily due to the perceived prestige of English and the lack of standardized language policies in the media industry. The underrepresentation of indigenous languages not only contributes to cultural erosion but also restricts access to information for non-English speakers. In conclusion, the language problems identified in Nigerian broadcast media have far-reaching implications for communication effectiveness and audience engagement. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that considers language policies, professional training for broadcasters, and audience preferences. By promoting linguistic diversity and inclusivity, broadcasters can enhance the quality of communication and better serve the diverse population of Nigeria.

Project Overview

<p> </p><p>INTRODUCTION</p><p>1.1 BACKGROUND</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>The problem of multilingual society.</p><p>The origin and nature of language</p><p>The language experiments in other part of the world and the language for Nigeria.</p><p>The key variables language and “broadcasting have provoked very any discusses in the past to make this one not too necessary.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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”.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>1.2 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM</p><p>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.</p><p>1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY</p><p>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.</p><p>To establish one and only language as an indigenous language throughout the country for proper and effective broadcast commination in the country.</p><p>1.4 THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY</p><p>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.</p><p>1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>1.6 HYPOTHSIS</p><p>i. Language has posed a very big problem in Nigeria as far as broadcast communication is concerned .</p><p>ii. Many options have been proffered in both newspaper articles and in discussions by Nigerians.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>v. Some say that the three major languages should be adopted namely: Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba for broadcast</p><p>vi. Some suggest that Nigeria should adopt one of the indigenous language correctly spoken in the country.</p><p>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.</p> <br><p></p>