PHONOLOGICAL INTERFERENCE IN TELEVISION NEWSCAST IN NIGERIA

PHONOLOGICAL INTERFERENCE IN TELEVISION NEWSCAST IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study focused on phonological interference in Nigerian television newscasts. Because phonological interference is one of the problems encountered by television newscasters in Nigeria, particularly some Yoruba and Hausa newscasters at NTA, the work has been treated using six major interference phenomena. This initiative has assisted in identifying some of the phonological issues that newscasters face in media organizations. This study project also gave solutions to the difficulties. As a result of the aforementioned issue, newscasters are no longer able to compete with other newscasters who speak considerably better in other media outlets.

INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTER ONE 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

When asked, “what is language?” it has different meanings and can be defined in various ways. It could be the language of a specific discipline, such as science or humanism, to name a few. It can also be animal language, sign language, or any of a variety of different languages.

Humanity’s spoken language, in particular, dominates them all. Human language is a natural phenomenon. “Experiences and thoughts of Adeboye Chi”

According to Adeboyo’s remarks above, human language is one of many ways for a person’s experiences and thoughts to be structured. This contributes to language’s numerous senses. Furthermore, without language, (spoken) thoughts cannot be born, and life experiences are wasted because no one can learn from them. Communication is the primary connection that connects the entire world.

Communication is an important aspect in society as a whole, and there is evidence to back this up. Among other things, the global village and the internet demonstrate this.

Language, whether written, spoken, signed, or any other means, is a tool for communication, and English has emerged as the most widely used language in the world.

This language (English) is used around the world, and it is expected to be the language of the internet.

The English language inspires respect and pride in its speakers, but some have struggled to effectively use it, particularly in countries where English is not the mother tongue or the first language one encounters, such as Nigeria, Ghana, and many others.

Language teachers, broadcasters, and a few others have been tasked with speaking the correct version of English in Nigeria.

And if this proof is correct, these persons should be able to communicate in error-free English. Unfortunately, some of our broadcasters continue to make mistakes on air, which confuses communication. In light of the foregoing, this study will focus on the use of language in English newscasts under the heading “mother tongue interference in English newscast in Nigeria”: a case study of recorded NTA News.

1.2 The Research Question

This book recognizes that several scholars have addressed some concerns that have become issues in our media houses. Medubi (2007) and Okoye (2007) are two examples. Both of them focused more on the issue confronting the Nigerian press, but not as directly as this work will. In our Nigerian media house, no one has really worked on how mother tongue interference distorts communication. This will investigate the issue and attempt to suggest solutions.

1.3 Research Proposal

In addressing the research topic stated above, this study will concentrate on the following question: How much does mother tongue interference damage communications in our Nigerian media houses?

1.4 Research Objective

The goal of this research is to achieve some specific objectives.

To begin, the purpose of this research is to further educate the media on the significance of Standard English.

Second, this research will benefit second language teachers. Because they are the foundation layer of all learners, anything built on them will stand upright.

Finally, this research will be useful for the media and second-language English speakers in learning how to produce English sounds that are free of mother tongue interference.

1.5 The study’s scope

This project will concentrate on mother tongue interference in English newscasts.” Various authors approached this subject from various angles.

In English, Hoffmann (1991) recognized four basic categories of mother tongue influence.

a) Interference at the level of phonology

b) Interference on a grammatical level.

c) Interference on a lexical level

d) Spelling interference

Alabi (2007) distinguished three types of mother tongue intrusion in English:

Phonological interference, lexical interference, and grammatical interference are all examples of interference.

Because it primarily concerns speech (day-to-day conversation), this study will focus on the phonological level of mother tongue interference.

Justification (1.6)

This research topic “phonological interference in television newscast in Nigeria” is significant because the problem is evident in practically all of Nigeria’s media houses.

Some authors have described the issues confronting Nigerian media, but few have provided solutions.

Okoye (2007), for example, identified the dilemma of the press in Nigeria but did not provide answers. And the goal of this research is to investigate the issues and propose remedies, with a focus on the phonological element.

1.7 Definition of a Few Terms

LI (Mother Tongue/First Language)

Mother tongue, often known as first language in his or her environment. The mother tongue differs slightly from the first language. Mother tongue refers to the language of the parents, particularly the father, whereas first language refers to the language of the environment.

The child’s mother tongue may or may not be his or her first language. For example, if an Igbo child grows up in Kano State, where the language is “Hausa,” the Igbo child will naturally speak “Hausa” as a result of his or her surroundings.

1.8 Target Language (Second Language)

A second language (L2) is one that coexists with indigenous languages in a bilingual or multilingual setting. It is usually an official language and hence has a high prestige inside the country. A second language can be learned as the fourth or third language, but as long as someone has one language before learning another, it is referred to be the second or target language.

1.9 News

According to Danuta (1998,:4)

News is a late middle English term that signifies “good news.” Recent event information has been updated. Even if we accept this definition as an accurate description of what a newspaper provides. A more helpful definition might include information on recent events that are of interest to a sufficiently big group of people, or that may have an impact on the lives of a sufficiently large group of people.

1.10 Phonetics

According to Akmajian etal (2001,:109), “phonology is a subfield of linguistics that studies the structure and systematic patterning of sound in human language.”

Phonology is employed in two ways, according to him. The first defines the sounds of a language as well as the laws that govern their use. The second relates to the component of human language theory that is concerned with the universal features of natural language sound systems.

Conclusion

Because language and man are not the same and cannot be separated, problems will always arise from both perspectives. Such issues must also be addressed in order for society to have successful communication.