1.0 Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background to the study

According to Akwanya (2010) Indigenous language has frequently been cited as being the greatest distinctive quality of man, because society cannot exist without language. Language impacts one's cognitive processes, such as perception, interpretation, and judgment, in addition to providing meaning to the world. Also Akwanya (2010) agrees that indigenous language has frequently been cited as being the greatest distinctive quality of man, because society cannot exist without language. Language impacts one's cognitive processes, such as perception, interpretation, and judgment, in addition to providing meaning to the world.

Nigeria did not adopt the English language on its own. Many reasons, including trading, slavery, colonization, and missionary endeavors, contributed to its transfer into Nigeria, which also resulted in the development of the pidgin language, which is widespread around the world but is primarily spoken in Nigeria.

The broadcast media, in particular, have offered opportunities for development communication engagements over time. However, citing Schramm, Moemeka (2016:133) says more is required to ensure a meaningful exchange. He asserts that: The most effective use of mass media for massage demands that they should be as neighborhood-specific as feasible. Their programs should come from as close to their audiences as possible. The shows should be produced by people who are familiar with the culture they are speaking about, and there should be a way for the audience to provide media feedback. According to Ativie (2010), Language is a representation of culture and a means of understanding and perceiving a people's social experiences. Given this, it is not surprising that English has been modified to become a Nigerian language, giving Nigerians a way to communicate their cultural beliefs. Today's socio-cultural influences have influenced the English language in numerous societies. This effect is mirrored by the adoption of particular lifestyles in terms of how people dress, eat, practise their religion, use musical instruments, etc. This adoption is what Udofot (in Ativie, 2010:96) referred to as “nativisation”. Udofot defines nativisation as “the process through which a language that is not native to a community adapts to its culture and language while retaining many aspects of the original language used by its native speakers”. Nigerian Pidgin English is a significant genre that has emerged in connection with the nativization of the English language. (Ugot and Ogundipe, 2011) defines pidgin as: a second language that develops in response to specific, constrained communication demands among those without a shared tongue. In other terms, a pidgin is a language that is used as a form of contact or communication between individuals who do not share a common language and in which none of the users are native speakers. (p.228) Many people who live in different states of the Nigerian federation speak Nigerian Pidgin English. This is in line with the assertion of  (Akande and Salami, 2010) that “Nigerian Pidgin English (NPE) is the most commonly spoken language in Nigeria and the indigenous African language with the biggest speaker population, with well over half of the 200 million people living there fluently” (p.71). By the time the current generation of youngsters reaches adulthood, Faraclas predicted that roughly 70 to 80 percent of the population will speak NPE. Therefore, the widespread use of Nigerian Pidgin English may become a ready tool for effective communication in Nigeria's development communication.

With an estimated 200 million people, Nigeria is widely recognised as the most populous black country in the world. In this multi-ethnic, multi-party, and multi-religious country, youth make up a sizable and active portion of the population. One major feature of the Nigerian state is the preponderance of an illiterate youth and adult population whose understanding of the Standard English language [the country’s lingua franca] is very poor. A timely distribution of information and updates on topics of national concern must reach every nook and cranny of Nigeria in order for the population to be informed and educated about events taking place in the nation. Over the years, Nigerian broadcast media have used Pidgin English, probably Nigeria's most populist language, to accomplish this. It is to this the study centers indigenous communication and massage efficacy: a study of pidgin use in radio broadcasting in Nigeria

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

It is evident that given the country's high level of lack of education and knowledge gap between the literate and illiterate, there appears to be ignorance-based discrimination in the speed at which information, particularly advertisements, is disseminated, as well as when it is propagated, when it is accurate, and the population of the country that it reaches.. However, there is a widespread belief that the majority of Nigerians, particularly those in rural regions, are not informed about matters of national importance because they are unable to understand what is being aired or advertised on television and radio due to means of communication. It is to this the study centers indigenous communication and message efficacy: a study of pidgin use in radio broadcasting in Nigeria

1.3            Objective Of The Study

In line with the statement of research problems the objectives of the study are to determine indigenous communication and message efficacy: a study of pidgin English use in radio broadcasting in Nigeria. The objectives therefore are:

1. To examine the use of Pidgin English in broad cast media and its effect on Massage efficacy.

2. TO determine the status of Pidgin English as a language of popular communication in Nigeria

3. To outline the benefits  inherent in the use of Indigenous language (Pidgin English) in Broadcasting.

4. To outline the challenges in the usage of indigenous Language towards massage efficacy in Nigeria

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1 How is the use of Pidgin English in broad cast media and  its effect on Massage efficacy?

2. What is the status of Pidgin English as a language of popular communication in Nigeria?

3. What are the benefits inherent in the use of Indigenous language (Pidgin English) in Broadcasting?

4. What are the challenges in the usage of indigenous Language towards massage efficacy in Nigeria?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

This study would enable the researcher to pass their experience on the subject matter to parents, emerging young adults, NGOS (orphanage homes), schools (students) to serve as a medium for further research.

1.6  SCOPE OF THE STUDY   

The study would cover Indigenous Communication And Message Efficacy: A Study Of Pidgin English Use In Radio Broadcasting In Nigeria

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The researcher was faced with the following constraints in carrying out this study: Time: The time within the researcher is too short to carry on the detail study on this topic.

Resources: Another constraint of the researcher is financial resources to carry on the detail study of this topic.

Data: Another limitation to this study will be lack of data to make valid study on the research problem.

1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS

To foster a clear understanding of this research, the following key terms/concepts are here defined within their operational context.

Indigenous communication : Indigenous communication is local communication that is unique to a given culture of society which existed before the arrival of modern mass media which is a formally organized bureaucratic system of communication.

 Pidgin English: In the context of this study, Pidgin English is a non-specific name used to refer to any of the many pidgin languages derived from mainly from Standard English language and two or more dominant languages present among the intended users. The researcher chooses to call Nigerian Pidgin English as NigPE or NPE in the context of this study.”

 Broadcast Media: In the context of this research, are the modern channels of mass communication that disseminates its messages via electromagnetic waves, through the sky. The major of these media focused on are radio and television broadcast outfit