CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
The issue of Code switching and Code mixing is not peculiar to any institution in Nigeria or any particular speech community; rather they are universal language. Language is a medium of expressing thoughts, ideas and emotions that reveals various aspects of human existence that opens door of analysis of many cultural phenomena in the world today.
In other to find solution or minimizing the issue raised by these two language situation- code switching and code mixing, several authors have critically examined the nature, implications or effects and extent of the two. They go to some extent to highlight the general principles of interference as related to bilingualism and multilingualism.
This controversial and fractional view dominated in studies from the beginning of 19th to the middle of the 20th century when a great numbers of linguists viewed bilingualism/multilingualism, utilization of two or more different language, as having a “detrimental effect on human beings intellectual and spiritual growth” (Wei, 2000). Bilingualism and Multilingualism in the early 1960’s, influential work from Weinreich (1953), Mackey (1968), Ferguson (1964), Fishman (1968), Gumperz (1964), et al, marks a radical change and sets the stage for a more positive view; these days, a holistic view is more commonly accepted and as reflected in Grosjean’s statement arguing that; bilingualism is present in practically every countries of the world, in all classes of society, and in all age groups. In fact, it is difficult to find a society that is genuinely monolingual. Not only is bilingualism worldwide, it is the language situation that has existed since the beginning of language of human, in human history. It is probably true that no language group has ever existed in isolation from the language groups, and the history of language is replete with examples of language contact leading to some form of bilingualism. (1982).
Significantly, an abundant amount of research explores bilingualism and its manifestations both in spoken language and in written texts (Adams et al 2002) and most researches focus on the significant feature of bilingualism; code switching and code mixing.
This language situation have been researched by any on a societal level using examples of multilingual speech communities switching between languages, which mostly focused on the role and effects of languages on the socio- political organization.
Researchers have shown that there are at least three major languages in Nigeria, each of which is peculiar to subsection of the country. These languages are Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, and put into existence a mutual understanding, peaceful co-existence, unity, truthfulness, in the face of cultural diversities. There is need for common means of mass communication such as would improve interactive relationship among the multifarious ethnic groups.
As sentiment would not allow any of the indigenous languages to be picked as a choice of koine (lingua franca) then there is the need for a foreign language as a second language. This is why it was imperative for every literate person to adopt or acquire English language in addition to their mother tongue.
English language came into contact with Nigerian languages, through the coming of the British. The language (English) took firmer roots, through the Christian religion and the introduction of Western style of formal education, in which English gradually became not only a curriculum subject, but also, a medium of instruction and information generally. It was at this junction that the question of bilingualism and multilingualism arose that every learned individual should master or learn the coding system of two or more languages so as to be able to interact and communicate effectively within a particular tribe or ethnic group who may not understand the mother tongue of the person may be able to communicate or interact through their second language that is universally accepted or acknowledged.
Nigerians usually switch or mixed one indigenous language with English. That is, because any literate person in the country is bilingual, in this case English and Yoruba tendencies are there, that they would switch or mix the codes of the two languages, either consciously or unconsciously. Ethnography of Communication is the study of communication within the background of social and cultural practice and beliefs. To study the communication of a particular culture, Hymes proposed basic units that indicate which area of the culture one is most interested in examining. He set forth the following 6 units ; Speech community, Speech situation, Speech event, Communicative act , Communicate style and Ways of speaking. This study attempts to investigate the implication of code switching and code mixing on Standard English usage among undergraduates’ students of COE Ikorodu.
Statement of the Problem
The issues of code switching and code mixing among Nigerian Undergraduates have a high significant relationship with the students’ level of Standard English usage. The vast majority of bilinguals do not have an equal command of their languages. One is more fluent than the pother, interferes with the other, and imposes its accent on the other or preferred by the individuals.
Another cause(s) of code switching and code mixing is the lack of facility in one language when talking about a particular topic, students switch or mix languages when they cannot find an appropriate word or expression or when the language being used does not have the items or appropriate translation for the vocabulary needed.
Purpose of the Study
(1) The purpose of this research work is to conduct a ethnographic study on code switching and code mixing among students of COE Ikorodu.
(2) To carry out a practical study of how these concepts occur in the conversation of students of COE Ikorodu.
(3) To examine the effects of code switching and code-mixing among students.
(4) To identify the reasons for code switching and code-mixing among students.
Significant of the Study
The essence of this research is to identity the likely social effects on the undergraduates of the COE Ikorodu, if they are users of code switching and code mixing among the students.
It will also assist to examine the positive and negative implications of the use of code switching and code mixing among the students of COE Ikorodu.
Scope of the Study
This study is to discover how code switching and code mixing has affected the Standard English usage among students of College of Education, Ikorodu Lagos. The study is limited to undergraduate students of the College of Education, Ikorodu-Lagos.
Research Questions
i. What are the sociolinguistics factors responsible for code switching and code- mixing?
ii. How does code switching and code mixing reflect in the conversation of students of COE Ikorodu?
iii. What are the effects of code -switching and code mixing on the Standard English usage of students of COE Ikorodu?
iv. What are the reasons why students code switch and code mix?
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