1.1 Introduction
Sociolinguistics is the branch of linguistics that deals with the study of language in relation to society. Language and society are like hand and glove. They are interrelated as language can’t exist without society. Sociolinguistics can throw much light both on the nature of language and the nature of society. The way we use language in different social contexts provides a lot of information about both how language works and the social relationships in a community. It also throws light on the way people indicate their social identity through their language. Look at the example given below which is a conversation between a husband and a wife, when their daughter is around.
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 purpose of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, and Limitations of the Study.
1.2 Purpose of Study
The purpose of the study is stated as follows;
- To examine the centrality of the English language in the Nigerian society particularly in the educational sector.
- To examine the Non-standard English words usage in formal context.
- To examine the variability of the English language and the role of social context in determining the most appropriate variety to be used hence the use of standard and nonstandard English in formal and informal contexts respectively.
1.3 Scope of the Study
This study dwells on the Sociolinguistic Patterns of Nonstandard English Words usage in Formal Contexts using students in higher institutions as a case study.
1.4 Justification of the Study
The study begins by examining the centrality of the English language in the Nigerian society particularly in the educational sector. It then goes on to look at the variability of the English language and the role of social context in determining the most appropriate variety to be used hence the use of standard and nonstandard English in formal and informal contexts respectively. On the contrary, the target group of this study uses nonstandard English words in their spoken and written communication in formal contexts. The study, which is limited to the lexical variants, thus identifies these variant lexical items from students’ scripts and recorded discourses and thereafter examines their patterns of occurrence and the factors motivating their usage.
1.5 Methodology
The study adopts an eclectic approach comprising Fishman’s Domain and Topics, Labov’s Quantitative Paradigm and Giles’ Accommodation theory.
Using the Domain and Topics model, the study establishes the fact that the context/domain under consideration is formal based on the general subject areas under discussion, role relationships between the participants and setting of interaction. The study thereafter examines the social factors responsible for the use of identified nonstandard/non-English lexical items using the Labovian framework and Accommodation theory. Based on the study’s findings, social factors of language of the social media/Short Message Service’s shorthand, bilingualism used as a source of pity/obtaining undue favours, religion, familiarity/relaxed atmosphere and nature of students’ course/question asked motivated our subjects’ use of the identified nonstandard English lexical items.
1.6 Significance of Study
The study then looks at the general patterns that the identified lexical items take as well as the differences or similarities of these identified nonstandard English lexical items across the selected institutions. Finally, the study discusses its contributions to knowledge and makes suggestions for further research.
Besides, the study will serve as reference material for subsequent researcher in the field or related topics.
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.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
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