NAIJA Proceedings of the “Conference on Nigerian Pidgin

University of Ibadan, Nigeria. 8-9 July, 2009

C. Ailende ATIVIE. Cultural Influences as Inputs of Development of Naija Language.
Department of Political Science/General Studies Unit, Novena University, Ogume, Delta State, Nigeria

This study projects, as its objective, the description of the new function and the linguistic properties of Nigeria Pidgin, now referred to as Naija language or simply Naija. It enacts the model of linguistic nativization of the English language in Nigeria as presented by Ayo Bamgbose (1995); a model which this essay adapts as framework to investigate the burgeoning sociolinguistic situation of the Naija language in both lexico-semantic and pragmatic usages. The study shows how these presently undergo changes to accommodate, in the framework, the various cultural inputs of Naija spoken around the country with a brief history of the spread of the language in Nigeria. It therefore prescribes a uniform Naija as a desideratum for national integration since the language performs multiple roles for various citizens in present-day Nigerian speech community.

David Oshorenoya ESIZIMETOR. Historical Development of Naijá.
National Open University of Nigeria, Benin Study Centre, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Since the 1400s, Nigerian Pidgin, now properly referred to as Naijá, has evolved from being a trade language among the Portuguese and the natives of the Niger-Delta to being the unofficial lingua franca among Nigeria’s over 500 linguistic nationalities. In the last 500 years the language has evolved, it has grown from a contact pidgin to creole and has spread from the Niger Delta to other parts of the country. In describing how the language evolved, we examined historical events and accounts for evidence from across three major historical periods to see how, why and in what ways the language developed, spread across the Nigerian nation and expanded its domains of use.

David Oshorenoya ESIZIMETOR. What Orthography for Naijá?
National Open University of Nigeria, Benin Study Centre, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

In deciding on the orthography for Naijá, the goal is to select an adequate and functional writing system that practically represents the spoken variety of the language as used in everyday situations. To achieve this goal, the theoretical foundation for this work was built on Kay Williamson’s functional parameters of good orthography as well other practical considerations. Thus, this study surveyed the major spelling traditions that have so far been used in writing Naijá with a view to determining the extent of each tradition’s effectiveness in laying out a standard spelling system for the language, and on the basis of such evaluation recommend the best way(s) of spelling the language.

Macaulay MOWARIN. The Standard Sociolect of Naija and the Formal Use of the Language in Liturgical and Advertising Register
Delta State University, Abraka

This essay discusses the sociolects of Naija with an aim into identifying the standard sociolect. The geographical spread of the standard sociolect in the Niger Delta region is also analyzed. It also discusses the formal use of Naija with a focus on the registers in liturgy and advertising. It concludes that the formal use the language foregrounds its rising profile.

Macaulay MOWARIN. Some Lexico-Semantic Processes in Naija
Delta State University, Abraka

This paper undertakes a lexico-semantic analysis of lexical inventory in Naija . Some of the lexico-semantic processes analyzed in it, with the aid of copious examples, include; polysemy calquing, syntactic paraphrase/circumlocution, compounding and reduplication. It observes that these processes are influenced mainly by substrate languages. The essay also discusses how these processes influence words borrowed from substrate languages.

Macaulay MOWARIN. The rising profile of Naija literary discourse and entertainment in Nigeria
Delta State University, Abraka

Due to the vibrancy and elaboration if Naija within the pas two decades, its domain of use has increased both as an informal and formal means of communication. This paper undertakes an analysis of the use of Naija in literary discourse and entertainment. It discusses the use of Naija by illiterates, marginally literates and elites, who use the language in a relaxed informal setting, in the novels of Achebe set in urban centres. It observes that Achebe’s deployment of Naija in his novels is a rhetorical device. The paper also analyzes Ezenwa Ohaeto’s poem in Naija titled “I Wan Bi President” with the main aim of comparing the sociolect in the poem with that of the standard sociolect. The paper observes that the use of Naija in the entertainment industry is growing rapidly; it however observes the predominant cases of code-mixing and code switching of English and Naija in the industry. Finally, the paper also observes the use of the acrolectal sociolect by musicians, comedians and characters in Nollywood (Nigerian firm industry).

Christine I. OFULUE. Towards the Standardisation of Naija: Vocabulary Development and Lexical Expansion Processes.
National Open University of Nigeria.

From the pre-colonial era to date, Naija which developed as a contact language, and now as a creole, is long overdue for the standardisation of its orthography and vocabulary to empower its speakers’ with the benefits that accrue to developed languages. This study examines the recent efforts of a project aimed that producing the Bible and literacy primers in Naija. Since developing standard orthography is a prerequisite to vocabulary codification and development, the study builds on an earlier study which examined the orthography adopted by the project. In this study, focus is on the vocabulary and lexical processes used to express new concepts and technical terms in the light of Naija speakers’ usage practices. Findings show that there is an extensive use of loanwords based on the process of lexical borrowing from the superstrate language (English) even where there are Naija equivalents. The study provides a guide for Naija vocabulary development, and the application of lexical expansion processes that reflect speakers’ usage practices.

E. E. ORIBHABOR. The Use of Naija in the Media, Arts and Entertainment.
Department of Petroleum Resources, Abuja

Aside football, Nigerian Pidgin, or Naija as it is generally called, is a formidable factor in the unification of our multi-lingual and multi-ethnic nation. Its glaring role in this regard has made it worthy of being strengthened and empowered for the continuous unification of our peoples. This paper looks at the use of Naija in the Media, Arts and Entertainment in Nigeria and concludes that by the use of the language in every facet of our national life, it deserves to have government’s approval as the nation’s official lingua franca.

Mabel OSAKWE and Macaulay MOWARIN [9]. The Internal Structure Of The Noun Phrase In Naija
Delta State University, Abraka

This paper discusses the internal structure of the noun phrase in the Naija. The dominant role of the noun phrase in the Naija clause structure is imposing since the competent speaker of the language encounters it in the subject, object and compliment structures of the sentence. The subtypes of determiners which precede the ‘head’ of the noun phrase; including stative verbs functioning as descriptive adjectives within the noun phrase are also discussed. It analyzes in addition, the co-occurrence restrictions on determiners showing that they do not occur haphazardly. While focusing on the multifunctional nature of the relative clause introducer we, the embedding process of relativisation is also discussed. The paper then shows that in addition to covert structural complexities, the extension of the semantic functions of we interestingly, is an overt signal of the complexity of the internal structure of the noun phrase in Naija.