8. ijel - assessing the problematic use of the english language particles

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ASSESSING THE PROBLEMATIC USE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUA GE

PARTICLES IN NIGERIAN ENVIRONMENT

FESTUS C. AHIZIH 1, QUEEN U. NJEMANZE2 & MARK C. ONONIWU 3 1Research Scholar, Department of General Studies, Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

2,3Directorate of General Studies, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The impact of the English language on Nigerian languages and vice versa has clearly transcended the issue of

the existence or non-existence of a variety of English called Nigerian English. Indeed the process of standardizing

Nigerian English has been set in motion and the problem now confronting Nigerian linguists is that of fixing and

distinguishing features of Nigerian English. Various, attempts have been made to point out errors in the use of particles.

These errors are manifestations of imperfect approximation to the standard. This paper thus, examines the care freeness

with which Nigerians misuse particles on the television and radio, in long essays, at academic engagements, at religious,

social or political gatherings.

KEYWORDS: English Language, Particles, Problems and Nigerian Environment

Received: Aug 19, 2015; Accepted: Nov 27, 2015; Published: Nov 30, 2015; Paper Id.: IJELDEC20158

INTRODUCTION

The influence of native languages on the English language as reflected by interference phenomenon in

phonology, transfer of analogical forms of morphology, deviation from standard English and the wrong use of

lexis, semantics, syntax and other related constituents in the English language used in Nigerian environment is

constantly being examined. Interference refers to the instances of deviation from the norms of either language in a

bilingual situation which occurs in the speech of bilinguals as a result of their familiarity with more than one

language Akindele and Adegbite (2005:38). The variety of English used in Nigeria has certain features which

distinguish it from other forms of English as a result of this interference phenomenon. These features are

manifested at different grammatical levels. Babatunde (2002:1) explicates that language is the expression of

culture, the depository of culture and crucial mode of culture transmission. In a similar manner, Osisanwo,

(2003:5) describes language as an instrument of communication among human beings. In Nigeria, the English

language functions in various societal situations: it functions as language of official communication, language of

business, mass communication, knowledge transmission; it is also used in the fields of technology, medicine, law

and more. It is essentially the language of education and instruction in Nigeria. However, irrespective of these

magnificent functions of the English language in Nigeria, errors are relentlessly being used everywhere and are

passed on to generational less informed learners.

Dadzie and Awonusi (2004) noted. Part of the consensus is that a Standard English used in the Nigerian

environment must be devoid of errors and must be intelligible wherever the English language is spoken. Dadzie

(2004) also states that “mesolect sheds off its wrong characteristics and retains a part of local meaning mechanism

that could be what we are looking for”. This study discovered about fourteen particles which are often misused.

Original A

rticle International Journal of English, and Literature (IJEL) ISSN(P): 2249-6912; ISSN(E): 2249-8028 Vol. 5, Issue 6, Dec 2015, 63-72 © TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

64 Festus C. Ahizih, Queen U. Njemanze & Mark C. Ononiwu

Impact Factor (JCC): 4.4049 Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0

This paper therefore examines these fourteen particles, and advocate that teachers and scholars become conversant to them

as well use these particles frequently in teaching. This will motivate learners to learn and use them properly.

The Particle

A particle in grammar is an adverb or prepositions that can combine with a verb stem to create an infinitive or

infinitival phrase or phrasal verb (Hornby, 2001). The first word is a verb and it is followed by an adverb (e.g. turned

down) or a preposition (e.g. eat into) or both (e.g. put up with). An adverb particle shows position, direction of movement

among others as in “come back”, “break down”, “fell off’ in which “back”, “down” and “off’ are the adverbs. Pearson

(1977) observes that prepositions may be compound or simple. An example of the use of compound preposition is found in

‘Jumped out of the boat”. The simple preposition follows an adverb as in “She came up on the bus”. In some phrasal verbs

both the verbs and the particles keep their usual meanings, thus, they are not difficult to understand such as “sit down”,

“fight back”. However, many phrasal verbs have idiomatic meanings. Quirk and Greenbaum (1977) affirm: “the meaning

of the combination cannot be predicted from the meaning of the verb and particle in isolation”. The separate meanings of

“put up” and “with” in “put up with” for instance do not add up to the meaning of “put up with” which is “tolerate”.

REVIEW OF DEVIANT PREPOSITIONS

Bamgbose (1982) discussing some typical features of standard Nigerian English cites the misuse of prepositions.

According to Bamgbose,(1982) a preposition may be employed where native English will avoid or will use a different

preposition. He gave three examples:

• Voice out instead of “voice”, as in: I am going to voice out my opinion.

• Discuss about instead of “discuss”, as in: We shall discuss about that later.

• Congratulate for instead of “Congratulate on” as in: I congratulate you.for brilliant performance in the exam.

One of Odumuh’s (1984) hypotheses on Standard Nigerian English is the development of local idioms for

instance through phrasal verbs. Odumuh (1984) cites the example of the use of “pick” instead of “pick up”. Giwa-Amu

(1986) in his article on why the emergence of Nigerian English should be avoided refers to the following examples of the

wrong use of prepositions by the average Nigerian:

• Here is Dr ABC chatting with Mrs. XYZ”, instead of “chatting to.

• I want to congratulate Mr. ABC for his brilliant write up, which was published recently in a national daily

newspaper”, instead of “congratulate on”.

• Yesterday, councilor Balogun paid a courtesy call on the Oloja of Oja, instead of “call to”.

Oguntase (1984) also highlights the incorrect usage of English words taken from the finest newspapers in Nigeria

as follows;

• The president congratulated the author of the book for a job well done.

• I congratulate him for the dance he led in visiting America.

Jowit (1991) identifies some of the Popular Nigerian English usage (PNE) which frequently puts non-

prepositional verbs into the prepositional sub-class and vice versa as follows:

Assessing the Problematic use of the English Language Particles in Nigerian Environment 65


• Prepositional in (SE) Non-Prepositional in (PNE)

Standard English Popular Nigerian English

SE verb + Preposition PNE: verb+ sentence example

Dispose of Dispose; you should dispose your car

Operate on Operate: they operated him for appendicitis

Reply to Reply: why did you not reply my letter

• Non-Prepositional in SE Prepositional in PNE

SE verb Added PNE preposition and PNE sentence Examples

Advocate For: They advocate for a new library.

Comprise Of: The library comprises of many sections

Discuss About: They discussed about many problems

Demand For; they are demanding for money.

Emphasize On: He emphasize the importance of rest.

Lack Of: We lack of many amenities

Order For: We must order for more stationary

Regret Of: I regret of not arriving earlier

Request For: Let me request for more lectures

Stress On: He stressed on the importance of reading.

Kujore (1991) also identifies the following phrasal and prepositional verbs among some common grammatical

and lexical features of Nigerian English.

Table 1

Nigerian English Forms Standard English Forms Request for Requested Condole Condole with Congratulated him for Congratulated him on Hands off Washes his hand of

Dadzie (2004) highlights the wrong use of prepositions. According to Dadzie (2004) “Sometimes prepositions are

left out in certain phrases with so much consistency by practically everybody that one begging to wonder whether these

rather quiet ways of saying things are mistakes or deviations which may be acceptable in the context of Nigerian English”.

Daramola (2004) has this to say: “It seems that of all the parts of speech in English grammar, it is the use of prepositions

which presents far more problems that one wonders why it seems very difficult for many Nigerians to understand the

concept and meaning of prepositions”.



Efforts have been made to identify errors in the use of particles, hence the discussion of the fourteen recurring

particles in English language Nigerian environment.

COMMONLY MISUSED PARTICLES IN ENGLISH IN THE NIGERI AN ENVIRONMENT

Alabi (2006) identifies some particles as commonly misused in English language in Nigeria. The particles

according to Alabi (2006) include:

• Back

• Together

• About

• Away

• On

• To

• For

• Of

• Off

• With

• Out

• Up

• Down

• Into

Back

The influence of native languages and the influence of phrasal verbs like “get back”, “go back” whose meaning is

“to return” would seem to account for the addition of “back” in the following instances of tautology.

Table 2

S/No Standard English (SE) Nigerian English (NE) 1. We reversed the decision. We reversed back the decision. 2. She retrieved the money from the dupe. She retrieved back the money from the dupe. 3. The team will regain its lost glory. The team will regain back its lost glory. 4. They will revert to the original bill. They will revert back to the original bill. 5. Children should not reply when scolded Children should not reply back when scolded. 6. The Super Eagles replied with four goals. The super Eagles replied back with fourgoals. 7. Business has returned to normal after the strike. Business has returned back to normal after the strike. 8. When did they return the money? When did they return back the money? 9. The principal has been returned to his position. The principal has been returned back to his position. 10. The police recovered the stolen car. The police recovered back the stolen car. 11. Only Jesus resurrected from the dead. Only Jesus resurrected back from the dead. 12. We shall withdraw from the competition. We shall withdraw back from the competition.



Table 2: Contd., 13. Rewind the tape. Rewind back the tape. 14. He retaliated by kicking her. He retaliated back by kicking her.

Together

The influence of native languages on one hand and the analogy with phrasal verbs like “merge together” (as

opposed to merge with/into) and combine together (as opposed to combine with) which would seem to account for the

substitution of “with”, “in” and “against” with “together” on the other hand account for the following examples:

Table 3: Standard English (SE) / Nigerian English (NE)

S.No Standard English (SE) Nigerian English (NE)

1 The mansion does not harmonize together the surroundings.

harmonize with its surroundings

2 He married his idea together with theirs He married together his ideas with theirs 3 We should join hands together to succeed We should join hands together to succeed.

4 The boy hardly interacts with her sister The boy hardly interacts together with her sister

5 We shall unite together in fighting crime. We shall unite in fighting crime 6 We shall fight against the enemy. We shall unite together in fighting the enemy.

About

In the examples 1-4 below, the influence of local languages would seem to account for the substitution of “to”,

“of’ and “on” with about. There is also the free selection of particles in examples 5 -7. In addition, examples 6 and 7 are

analogical, as in “hang about”

Table 4

S. No Standard English (SE) Nigerian English (NE) 1 We should be steadfast to the facts of We should be steadfast about the Facts of life. 2 Keep us abreast of the matter. Keep us abreast about the matter. 3 He was accused of stealing He was accused about stealing 4 I have decided on going toLagos I have decided about going to Lagos. 5 We need to discuss the Problem We need to discuss about the Problem. 6 The man is roaming the streets. The man is roaming about the streets.

7 Teenagers were loitering in the street Outside

Teenagers were loitering about in the street.

Away

The analogous use of such phrasal verbs as “tear away” and “clear away” as well as the influence of native

languages would also seem to account for the insertion of ‘away’ in the following:

Table 5

S. No Standard English (SE) Nigerian English (NE) 1. The kidnapper vanished. The kidnapper vanished away. 2. The thief bolted before the man arrived. The thief bolted away before the man arrived. 3. He divorced his wife. He divorced his wife away. 4. She tilted the scale She tilted the scale.

On

“On” is selected in place of “at”, “down”, “to” and “into” in the following as a



Table 6

S. No Standard English (SE) Nigerian English (NE) 1 She shouted at him She shouted on him. 2 The minister was shouted at by the protestor The minister was shouted on by the protestor. 3 Append your signature to the document Append your signature to the document 4 They paid a courtesy visit to the President. They paid a courtesy visit on the President.

5 Nigerians are being sensitized to the dangers of HIV/AIDS.

Nigerians are being sensitized on the dangers of HIV/ AIDS.

6 The politician was forced to go into exile. The politician was forced to go on exile To

The particles” in”, “with”, “into”, “for”, “on” and “upon” are also substituted with “to” in the following as a result

of the influence of native languages and the free selection of particles. In example 6, the wrong use of “consequent to”

would seem analogical as in “subsequent to”.

Table 7

S. No Standard English (SE) Nigerian English (NE)

1. Members of the parliament acquiesced in the cover-up,

Members of the parliament acquiesced to the cover-up,

2. The accident resulted to death. The accident resulted to death.

3. He cannot comply with rules and regulations He is familiar with the environment something as opposed to/with somebody)

He cannot comply to rules and regulations He is familiar to the environment.

4. The government is determined to put the law into practices on/upon the summons.

The government is determined to put the law to practice the summons.

5. They were heading for Lagos when it happened. They were heading to Lagos when it happened. For

In the following, the particles ‘to’ and ‘on’ are substituted with “for” in examples 1 and 2. Numbers 3-5 are

instances of the process of false analogy whereby the syntactic characteristics of nouns are transferred to verbs.

Table 8

S. No Standard English (SE) Nigerian English (NE) 1. She has an aversion to sleeping She has an aversion for sleeping late.

2. The president should be congratulated on the reforms.

The president should be congratulated for the reform.

3. She requested permission to travel She requested for permission to travel

4. The vice-chancellor demanded an immediate explanation

The vice-chancellor for an demanded immediate explanation

5. Nigerian language experts advocate the use of Mother Tongue

Nigerian language experts advocate for the use of Mother Tongue

Of

There is a false analogy in example I, whereby the use of “be comprised of’ as (The class was comprised of

children from different races) is transferred to “comprise” while numbers 2 and 3 are instances of process of false analogy

whereby the syntactic characteristics of nouns are transferred to verbs.

Table 9

S. No Standard English (SE) Nigerian English (NE) 1. The building comprises of many apartments. The1builcling comprises many apartments



Table 9: Contd., 2. I regret not going there I regret of/about not going there. 3. They lack good upbringing, they lack of good upbringing

Off

In each of numbers 1-3 below there is a free selection of the particle “off’ to replace “up” and “away”. In number

4 “wash off’ (to remove something from the surface of something or from a fabric by washing) is substituted for “wash”

which means to be involved with somebody or something. There is the force selection of “off’ in example 5.

Table 10

S. No Standard English (SE) Nigerian English (NE) 1. Round off the mark Round up the mark 2. It should melt away like the dew It should melt off like the dew 3. He explained the matter away He explained the matter off. 4. I wash my hands of the sordid business. I wash my hands off the sordid business. 5. She has shed unwanted pounds. She has shed off unwanted pounds.

With

In the following the particle “with” is usually selected to replace the particles “by”, “to” and “in” respectively.

Table 11

S.No Standard English (SE) Nigerian English (NE) 1. You must abide by the University rules You must abide with the university rules 2. It was marred by sharp protests. It was marred with sharp protests 3. Keep the paper attached to the form Keep the paper attached with the form 4. He succeeded in going into the university. He succeeded with going into the University

Out

The particles “Out” is added in each of the following examples. This process results in what Kujore (1995) refers

to as “Phrasal extension”.

Table 12

S.No Standard English (SE) Nigerian English (NE) 1. She bore her soul to her mother. She bore out her soul to her mother. 2. She listen problems. She listed out the problems. 3. Students are voicing their worries. Students are voicing out their worries.

Up

It was culled from the Anthology. It was culled up from the Anthology.

There is phrasal extension, in the following:

In examples 1 and 2, the addition of “Up” would most likely be as a result of the influence of local languages

and/or analogy with the phrasal verb “stand up” (getting up into one’s feet)

Table 13

S. No Standard English (SE) Nigerian English (NE) 1. Raise your hand/eyes/glass Raise up your hand/eyes/glass

2. We are looking to God for help.

We are looking up to God for help



Table 13: Contd.,

3. He cannot cope with the rigors of academic life

He cannot cope up with the rigors of academic life

4. He agreed up for the day He agreed off for the day Down

In the following the use of ‘down’ is as a result of the influence of native languages.

Table 14

S. No Standard English (SE) Nigerian English (NE) 1. Get off the bus at the next stop Get down the bus at the next stop 2. The man is sinking into sin The man is sinking down into sin 3. She bows her head in shame. She bows down her head in shame. 4. He prostrated in front of the altar. He prostrated down in front of the altar.

Into

In the following examples, there is the free selection of “into”.

Table 15

S. No Standard English (SE) Nigerian English (NE) 1. God-given virtues are deposited in man. God-given virtues are deposited into man 2. She put the matter in writing She put the matter into writing

CONCLUSIONS

This paper has examined fourteen recurring patterns of problematic particles in Nigerian English. Among the

reasons adduced for the deviations and/ or errors in the use of particles are the influence of native language, analogy with

other phrasal verbs and the mindless selection of particles. These challenging particles are manifestations of imperfect

approximations to the acceptable standard and a reflection of wrong characteristics that has been latching on standard

variety of the English language in the Nigerian environment.

Contemptuous of those prevailing features, Dadzie (2004) counsels that the new form of English language usage

in Nigeria should not “stray too far from the original in order to retain credibility in the same language as that, from which

it derives”. Hence it is pertinent to state that the grammaticalness of the English language expression (Nigerian English)

should be abstracted from the provisions of the Standard English grammar.

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8. ijel - assessing the problematic use of the english language particles

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