Expositions on the Semantic Potentials of some Nigerian English Expressions used in Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic: Adapting to the EvolvingLandscape of Language

Ekaette Uwe Ukoh

Abstract

This study expounds on the meaning potentials of some Nigerian English expressions used in Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic. It is observed that English language spoken in Nigeria is distinct from the British Standard English. The Language Variation Theory was adopted to guide the study. Descriptive design was used for analysis and data were collected from primary sources. A total of 130 Nigerian English expressions were collected from participants through observation while 30 expressions were selected for data presentation and analysis. The data for this study were collected from conversations between friends and colleagues. Also, Nigerian English has semantic and pragmatic values, but can only be appreciated by Nigerian speakers in terms of the vocabulary, phrases, and other larger expressions that are rich with idiomatic and proverbial colourations. The study recommends that English Teachers Association in Nigeria should use their platforms to promote research in Nigerian English. Efforts should be made to produce more comprehensive dictionary for Nigerian English.

Keywords: Nigerian English, semantic potentials, language variation, British Standard English

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