AN INVESTIGATION ON THE LEVEL OF PHONOLOGICAL INTERFERENCE IN THE SPEECH OF HAUSA-ENGLISH BILINGUAL

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0     INTRODUCTION

To investigate on the level of phonological interference  in the speech of Hausa-English bilingual, particularly among the Hausa speakers of English demands extra effort and great attention. This is because, it is observed that this problem is  the result of the linguistic features found in their indigenous languages which are transferred to the sound system of the English language. Their English phonetics reflects the structure of the sound system of their mother tongue (Osisanwo, 2009).

Phonology is the study of the sound system of a Language. It is the study of the properties of the sound system of a given language. It is the systematic study of how the speech sound (Osisanwo, 2009).

Hyman (1975:1) cited by Osisanwo (2009:3) says that, the goal of phonology is to study the properties of the sound system which speakers must learn and internalize in order to use their language for the purpose of communication. To Oyebade (1998:2) ‘phonology is the scientific study of the arbitrary vocal symbol used in human speech and the pattern into which these symbols produce intelligent, meaningful utterances’. To sum it up,

Akmajian et al (2008:109) said: ‘phonology is the subfield of linguistics that studies the structure and patterning of sound in human language’.  Speakers of Nigerian English are still facing a lot of pronunciation problems as a result of their L1 influence on their spoken English (Alabi, 2007).

Jowith (1991) studied the phonology of Nigeria English used Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba languages but this work will pay attention in investigation on the level of phonological interference in the speech of Hausa-English bilingual.

1.1       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

This work is set out to find the level of phonological interference in the speech of Hausa-English bilingual. That is, it is to check the influence of the mother tongue (Hausa) interference on the sound system of the

English language at the segmental level. In other words, this work will find out the English phonemes which are mispronounced by the Hausa speakers of English.

1.2     AIMS OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to find out the level of phonological interference on the phonology of standard British English (RP). That is, the changes that may likely occur as a result of the phonological interference in the speech of Hausa-English bilingual. In other words, this work is to search for the features that distinguish the phonology of Nigeria English variety from the Received Pronunciation. These features shall be identified from the recorded speech collected and analyzed.  We hope to provide solution to bridge the gap in the differences.

  1.3     SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Phonology can be handled from different angles. Its segmental aspect can be treated, attention can be paid to only suprasegmental aspect and the two levels can be jointly discussed. This research work shall direct its focus on the segmental phonology. Due to time, financial constraints and for effective result we shall limit our study domain within Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto. Ten students shall be selected from the various departments all together from this University.

1.4      SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This work is to add to the efforts that have been made. Our concentration  on this topic is on the phonological interference in the speech of Hausa-English bilingual. One of the aims of carrying out this research work, is to look into the reasons for the problems facing Hausa speakers of English language. I hope therefore, that this piece of work would be important for language teaching and learning and as such, it creates better speakers of English language among the Hausas.

Attention would also be focused on the phonological aspect, because phonology is core of linguistics and because even if one speaks only a few minute, one is bound to have used the whole repertory of the sounds in one’s language.

1.5 DEFINITION OF TERMS

1.5.1 INTERFERENCE: Interference is an effect of bilingualism or multilingualism. It is a linguistic situation whereby the features of the first language is being negatively transferred to the target language. It is a process that occurs during the period of learning.

According to Adedimeji (2007:160), ‘Interference is the negative transfer of what obtains in the source languages or Nigerian languages to the target language English.’ Alabi (2007:85) says: ‘The term implies a re-arrangement of patterns that result from the introduction of foreign elements into more highly structured domain of a language such as (bulk of) phonology, syntax, as well as some areas of vocabulary culture and discourse.’ In the view of Osisanwo (2009:139) cited Egbokhare (2007:4) interference ‘has to do with the carryover of the linguistic habits of an individual’s first language to the second language.’

1.5.2 PROBLEMS 0F MOTHER-TONGUE; (L1) is the one’s native

language usually one’s first language . It is the language of one’s  immediate environment and usually the language of one’s parents.

Therefore, mother tongue is said to be the first language that one’s across immediately after he is born. Also, mother-tongue is acquired not learned.

1.5.3  BILINGUAL; is the one’s that used two languages.

1.5.4 TARGET LANGUAGE (TL) refers to the new language being

learnt. It contrast with mother tongue, is non native language taught or learnt for natural community.

1.5.5  LINGUA FRANCA; a lingua franca is a language used by speakers of different languages to ease communication among themselves, when they don’t understand one another’s language.

In another word, a lingua franca is a language of a wider communication.

1.6    Conclusion

Finally the sound system of English and Hausa language shall be treated. This will enable us to know the differences between the sound systems. Also it will assist us to investigate on the level of phonological interference in the speech of Hausa-English bilingual. Phonology of Nigerian English, phonetics and phonology shall be discussed in the next chapter.

Related Project Topics :