1.1 Introduction
Language is the brain behind communication among human beings in different societies (Jackson, 1990, p.1). This implies that ideas, messages, norms etc., are shared among people in divergent societies through conventional symbols and sounds-verbal communication. But communication can be non-verbal e.g. shaking of hands, gestures, nodding, winking etc. Jackson (ibid).
An aspect of this broad means of communication is lexic-semantics which is formed by lexis and semantics. Lexis is “the vocabulary of a language” (Crystal 2008, p. 279). While semantics is defined as “a major branch of LINGUISTICS devoted to the study of MEANING in LANGUAGE (crystal, 2008, p. 428). Thus the selection of words in relation to their functional ends in terms of meaning informs the field of lexico-semantics. This implies that each time a language user sets out to speak or write, he/she is faced with choices to select from among infinite sets of lexical items.
However, since contexts that constrain language users when speaking or writing differ in situational, socio-cultural, political and geographical degrees, there is bound to be lexico-semantic variation. The English language as used in the Nigerian context differs in these degrees, from the ways it is used in native contexts such as the USA, the UK, Canada, etc, (Jenkins, 2003). In this connection, Adedimeji (2009, p.2) has this to say “In Nigeria… the need to express local wisdom and concepts through the medium of an otherwise foreign language had generated the regional lexico-semantic variation that characterizes the use of Language.”
It is against this background that we set out to investigate Naira Has No Gender (a play piece by Olu Obafemi) through the lens of Lexico-semantics. The underlying assumption is that, since the text is written in English to express the socio-political realities of Nigeria, we shall then attempt to relate these “Nigerianisms” to their functional imports in the social context.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Professor Benjamin Olu Obafemi is a professor of English and dramatic literature in the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. He teachers literary criticism, theory and creative writing. He began his teaching career in 1976 as a pioneer staff of then department of Modern European languages, university of Ilorin. His glowing academic career is a product of his intellectualism which vision it negotiated through multimedia engagement as literary and cultural scholars, a playwright, poet novelist and social analyst.
Prof. Obaf, as he is fondly called, had his primary education in Kabba where he was born in 1950. His secondary education was under hazardous circumstances because of the Nigerian civil war. He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University Zaira in 1975 with a B.A. in English. He obtained his master’s degree in 1978 from Sheffield University and his Doctorate degree in 1981 from the University of leads, both in England.
Obafemi has registered a remarkable dominance in the literary landscape of Nigeria, and Africa. The University of Ilorin, between the 1st and 4th of April 2010, played host to scholars and intellectuals internationally who gathered to celebrate this dramatic icon of his 60th birthday with an international conference on African literature and theatre. Currently, Olu Obafemi is the Director of Research, National Institute of policy and strategic studies (NIPSS), Kuru Jos. His works include the following Naira Has No Gender, Suicide Syndrome, Night of a Mystical Beast and Wheels
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Lexico-Semantic Variation of Nigeria English using Olu Obafemi's Text 'Naira has no Gender’.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim or purpose of this study is to examine the Lexico-Semantic Variation of Nigeria English using Olu Obafemi's Text 'Naira has no Gender'. Leadership is usually understood as the process of creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen (Alan Kelth of Genetech). In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To explore the leadership problems that is responsible for the underdevelopment and backwardness of the society.
- To examine and analyse the text of Naira Has No Gender by Olu Obafemi using the appropriate discourse elements in the analysis.
In other words, the study will see to how various elements of discourse are employed to pass messages from an encoder to a decoder and the pattern of transactional transfer from the speaker to the listener.
1.4 Significance of Study
This study is unique and significant because no critic has examined the chosen topic. It attempts to enlighten the readers about the problems associated with our leaders in our societies.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.5 Scope of Study
This research emphasis is on bad leadership of portrayed in The Beatification of Area Boy and Naira Has No Gender which will serve as the primary texts, while textbooks and comments on leadership problems by different scholars will serve as the secondary texts. All materials consulted in the course of this research shall be dully referenced.
1.6 Methodology
The primary sources of this research work will be The Lexico-Semantic Variation of Nigeria English using Olu Obafemi's Text 'Naira has no Gender'. Secondary Sources are books in the field of literature and textbooks will be got from library as printed sources.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 A Short Biography of Olu Obafemi
Professor Benjamin Olu Obafemi is a professor of English and dramatic literature in the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. He teachers literary criticism, theory and creative writing. He began his teaching career in 1976 as a pioneer staff of then department of Modern European languages, university of Ilorin. His glowing academic career is a product of his intellectualism which vision it negotiated through multimedia engagement as literary and cultural scholars, a playwright, poet novelist and social analyst.
Prof. Obaf, as he is fondly called, had his primary education in Kabba where he was born in 1950. His secondary education was under hazardous circumstances because of the Nigerian civil war. He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University Zaira in 1975 with a B.A. in English. He obtained his master’s degree in 1978 from Sheffield University and his Doctorate degree in 1981 from the University of leads, both in England.
Obafemi has registered a remarkable dominance in the literary landscape of Nigeria, and Africa. The University of Ilorin, between the 1st and 4th of April 2010, played host to scholars and intellectuals internationally who gathered to celebrate this dramatic icon of his 60th birthday with an international conference on African literature and theatre. Currently, Olu Obafemi is the Director of Research, National Institute of policy and strategic studies (NIPSS), Kuru Jos. His works include the following Naira Has No Gender, Suicide Syndrome, Night of a Mystical Beast and Wheels
