A SOCIOLINGUISTIC STUDY OF CODE-MIXING AND CODE SWITCHING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS


A SOCIOLINGUISTIC STUDY OF CODE-MIXING AND CODE SWITCHING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background to the Study  

Language can be said to be the most complex and detailed aspect of human existence. It is the DNA of human behaviour and culture as the people’s history and memory is embedded in it. This memory encapsulated in language also determine, among other things, how they used language and how language uses them. This volatile characteristic of language has birthed, directly and indirectly, such bridge studies such as sociolinguistics which is

the descriptive study of the effect of any and all aspects of society , including cultural norms , expectations, and context, on the way language is used, and the effects of language use on society (Wikipedia)

The organic feature language implies that it surfaces in the its use. A person fluent in more than one language would often find his or herself segueing from one language to another and consequently one language system to another. Language affects perception and in the expression of thought verbally, these varying thought patterns is seen.

This switching isn’t just in moving from one language to another but can be seen in the use of systems of one language in another showing a consciousness that is tied to a language even when one has extensive command of the one presently in use. This is how pidgins are born: the establishment of unique systems in language use across bilingual users. Against this backdrop, we would be doing a sociolinguistic study of code-mixing and code switching in secondary schools in Nigeria.

1.2   Statement of the Problem

Among secondary school students in Nigeria presently are varying language uses including English which is the official language and the language of education. However these are children who go home to parents and peers who speak their native language. Sometimes for the singular fact that there is a lack in a proper teaching of the English language, these secondary school children leant and use the language through the eyes of their mother tongue.

Other times, it is simply the bilingual presence of dexterity in two languages equally so that thought is exercised simultaneously in these two or more languages. This is known as code-mixing and interchanged with another term, code switching by scholars. This phenomenon has been studied severally across varying language users but not specifically among Nigerian secondary school students who are unique in that they represent adequately the percentage of the Nigerian populace who have good command of both languages ( English and their mother tongue).

1.3   Research Questions

1.3.1      Can code-mixing and code-switching be used interchangeably?

1.3.2      What are the factors that inform their presence in secondary school students’ language use?

1.4   Objectives of the Study

The major objective of this research like every other research work of it’s kind is to fill up an academic gap. It is this gap that calls the research work into being which makes such a work valid whether it is able to prove its hypothesis or not. In this case, it aims at studying and establishing the manifestations of code-mixing and code-switching in secondary school students

1.5   Significance of the Study

This work is of great significance to any sociolinguist on a research on any of the manifestations of code-mixing and code-switching among a certain age and topography of Nigeria especially one whose focus is on a pattered manifestation.

It’s also very relevant for teachers in tracking a child’s acquisition of a second language and to what extent this child exercises thought in the languages at his or her disposal. So that the modules for teaching can be fashioned with a specific aim in view.

1.6   Research Hypothesis

This research work is predicated upon the sociolinguistic assumption that code-mixing and code-switching are not to be used interchangeably. It also assumes that a greater manifestation of it in Nigeria is to be seen among secondary school students.

1.7   Scope of the Study

The scope of this study is strictly studying code-mixing and code-switching among secondary school students across the different regions in the country. However, the study subject will consist of one school for each from the different geopolitical zones with one covering for the whole of the north due to lack of space, time and resources.

Also, data will be gathered through the used of one on one interactions with the students and the passing of questionnaires with questions that aims at capturing this form of language use on and off the learning environment.

1.8   Limitations of the Study

A research such as this one would require a thorough examination of the sociolinguistic issue of code-mixing and code-switching across a large pool of students and reading materials as it is a topic that cuts across disciplines and bridge disciplines. The above are the limitations of this research work namely the time constraints and financial inadequacies to cover wider grounds.

1.9   Definition of Term

Code-mixing

This is the mixing of two or more languages and language systems during a speech act so that one slide from one string of phrases to another

Code-switching

Most linguists and sociolinguists use both code-mixing and code-switching interchangeably. However, in code-mixing what is emphasized is the hybrid created from this mixture of two language system while code-switching merely captures just this drawing from two language systems.

Sociolinguistics

This bridge discipline between sociology and linguistics studies in detail the societal influences on language and also how language influences society.

 

.

A SOCIOLINGUISTIC STUDY OF CODE-MIXING AND CODE SWITCHING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS



TYPE IN YOUR TOPIC AND CLICK SEARCH.






RESEARCHWAP.ORG

Researchwap.org is an online repository for free project topics and research materials, articles and custom writing of research works. We’re an online resource centre that provides a vast database for students to access numerous research project topics and materials. Researchwap.org guides and assist Postgraduate, Undergraduate and Final Year Students with well researched and quality project topics, topic ideas, research guides and project materials. We’re reliable and trustworthy, and we really understand what is called “time factor”, that is why we’ve simplified the process so that students can get their research projects ready on time. Our platform provides more educational services, such as hiring a writer, research analysis, and software for computer science research and we also seriously adhere to a timely delivery.

TESTIMONIES FROM OUR CLIENTS


Please feel free to carefully review some written and captured responses from our satisfied clients.

  • "Exceptionally outstanding. Highly recommend for all who wish to have effective and excellent project defence. Easily Accessable, Affordable, Effective and effective."

    Debby Henry George, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.
  • "I saw this website on facebook page and I did not even bother since I was in a hurry to complete my project. But I am totally amazed that when I visited the website and saw the topic I was looking for and I decided to give a try and now I have received it within an hour after ordering the material. Am grateful guys!"

    Hilary Yusuf, United States International University Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • "Researchwap.org is a website I recommend to all student and researchers within and outside the country. The web owners are doing great job and I appreciate them for that. Once again, thank you very much "researchwap.org" and God bless you and your business! ."

    Debby Henry George, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.
  • "Great User Experience, Nice flows and Superb functionalities.The app is indeed a great tech innovation for greasing the wheels of final year, research and other pedagogical related project works. A trial would definitely convince you."

    Lamilare Valentine, Kwame Nkrumah University, Kumasi, Ghana.
  • "I love what you guys are doing, your material guided me well through my research. Thank you for helping me achieve academic success."

    Sampson, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
  • "researchwap.com is God-sent! I got good grades in my seminar and project with the help of your service, thank you soooooo much."

    Cynthia, Akwa Ibom State University .
  • "Sorry, it was in my spam folder all along, I should have looked it up properly first. Please keep up the good work, your team is quite commited. Am grateful...I will certainly refer my friends too."

    Elizabeth, Obafemi Awolowo University
  • "Am happy the defense went well, thanks to your articles. I may not be able to express how grateful I am for all your assistance, but on my honour, I owe you guys a good number of referrals. Thank you once again."

    Ali Olanrewaju, Lagos State University.
  • "My Dear Researchwap, initially I never believed one can actually do honest business transactions with Nigerians online until i stumbled into your website. You have broken a new legacy of record as far as am concerned. Keep up the good work!"

    Willie Ekereobong, University of Port Harcourt.
  • "WOW, SO IT'S TRUE??!! I can't believe I got this quality work for just 3k...I thought it was scam ooo. I wouldn't mind if it goes for over 5k, its worth it. Thank you!"

    Theressa, Igbinedion University.
  • "I did not see my project topic on your website so I decided to call your customer care number, the attention I got was epic! I got help from the beginning to the end of my project in just 3 days, they even taught me how to defend my project and I got a 'B' at the end. Thank you so much researchwap.com, infact, I owe my graduating well today to you guys...."

    Joseph, Abia state Polytechnic.
  • "My friend told me about ResearchWap website, I doubted her until I saw her receive her full project in less than 15 miniutes, I tried mine too and got it same, right now, am telling everyone in my school about researchwap.com, no one has to suffer any more writing their project. Thank you for making life easy for me and my fellow students... Keep up the good work"

    Christiana, Landmark University .
  • "I wish I knew you guys when I wrote my first degree project, it took so much time and effort then. Now, with just a click of a button, I got my complete project in less than 15 minutes. You guys are too amazing!."

    Musa, Federal University of Technology Minna
  • "I was scared at first when I saw your website but I decided to risk my last 3k and surprisingly I got my complete project in my email box instantly. This is so nice!!!."

    Ali Obafemi, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Niger State.
  • To contribute to our success story, send us a feedback or please kindly call 2348037664978.
    Then your comment and contact will be published here also with your consent.

    Thank you for choosing researchwap.com.