Mother Tongue Interference In English News Cast
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Mother Tongue Interference In English News Cast
ABSTRACT
Language and man are inextricably linked, and when the world’s languages come into contact, there will undoubtedly be issues such as mother tongue interference, a sociolinguistic phenomenon. This study assumes that grammatical competence differs significantly from phonological competence, and it has analysed the sampled data using phonological norms.
The data revealed that phonological interference is a major issue affecting Nigeria’s media outlets in terms of spoken English. Suggestions have been made to carry out the desired repair in the areas identified.
Chapter one
1.0 Introduction.
If the question “what is language?” is asked, it has different meanings and can be defined in various ways. It could be a language exclusive to a field, such as science or humanities, to name a few. It can also refer to animal language, sign language, and a variety of other languages.
Human language, particularly spoken language, is dominant in all of them. Human language is natural. As indicated by Adebayo (1995), “Language (Human Language) is one of the chief means by which a person learns to organise his experiences and thoughts”
According to Adebayo, human language is one of several ways for people to order their experiences and thoughts. This contributes to language’s multisensory nature. Furthermore, without language, (spoken) thoughts will never emerge, and life experiences will be lost because no one will be able to learn from them.
Communication is the main bridge that connects the entire world. Communication is an important aspect in society at large, and there is evidence to support this. The global village, as well as the internet, are examples of this.
Language, whether written, spoken, signed, or otherwise, is a tool for communication, and English has emerged as the most widely used language in the world. This language (English) is used in the global village and is poised to become the language of the internet.
The English language instills respect and pride in its speakers, but some have struggled with its effective use, particularly in countries where English is not the mother tongue or first language encountered, such as Nigeria, Ghana, and many others.
Language teachers, broadcasters, and a few others are now responsible for speaking the correct version of English in Nigeria. And, if my proof is correct, these groups of people should speak error-free English.
Unfortunately, some of our broadcasters continue to make mistakes on air, which confuses communication. In light of the aforementioned, this research is out to work on the use of language in English newscasts under the title “Mother Tongue Interference in English Newscast: a Case of a Recorded Kwara Television News”.
1.1 The statement of the Research Problem.
This book recognises that certain scholars have addressed some of the concerns that have arisen in our media houses. For example, Medubi (2007) and Okoye (2007).
Both of them focused on the issues confronting the Nigerian press, but not directly, as this study will address them. No one has fully investigated how Mother Tongue Interference hampers communication in Nigerian media houses. This paper will investigate the problem and attempt to propose solutions.
1.1.1 Research Question.
In addressing the research problem outlined above, this study will focus on the following question: How much does Mother Tongue Interference damage communications in Nigerian media houses?
1.2 Research Purpose
The goal of this research is to attain some predetermined goals.
First and foremost, this study aims to educate the media about the significance of Standard English.
Second, this research will benefit second-language teachers. Because they are the foundation layers of all learners, anything built on a firm basis will stand upright.
Finally, this study will help the media and second-language English speakers understand how to make English sounds free of Mother Tongue Interference.
1.3 Scope of the Study
This project will concentrate on “Mother Tongue Interference in English Newscast”. Various authors have approached his issue from various angles.
Hoffmann (1991) recognised four basic categories of mother tongue influence in English.
There are four types of interference: phonological, grammatical, lexical, and spelling-related.
Alabi (2007) found three types of mother tongue interference in English: phonological, lexical, and grammatical.
This study will focus on the phonological level of mother tongue interference because it is primarily concerned with speech (day to day communication).
1.4 Justification.
This research topic “Mother Tongue Interference in English Newscast” is significant because the problem is evident in practically all Nigerian media outlets.
Some authors have detailed the issues confronting Nigeria’s media houses, but few have provided answers. Okoye (2007), for example, identified the difficulties with the press in Nigeria but did not provide remedies.
This study is designed to investigate the problems and propose solutions, with a focus on the phonological element.
1.5 Methodology.
The purpose of this study is to examine the main news coverage on Kwara Television. This television channel has two divisions for news. Basically, the news at five o’clock and half past six in the evening.
This study will look at one of the most important news stories, which is normally broadcast by two individuals, as opposed to the five-minute news, which is shorter and only taken by one.
More people listen to the main news than the one at 5 p.m., possibly because it is busier, later, or both.
Some newsroom staff will be interviewed to learn about the television station’s philosophy, ideology, and brief history.
The data will be evaluated using phonological rules because this is the most common sort of interference, according to Romaine (1989, p.52).
If a questionnaire is found to be useful, it will be created and distributed to a sample of people in the community to learn about their reactions to the media house. Oral interviews may also be undertaken.
These are some of the approaches that were adopted to ensure the success of this project.
1.6 Data Description.
The Kwara Television Authority UHF 35 (Socially Responsible) was founded in 1991 under the capable leadership of Mall. Ishaq Maddibo Kawu. In 1997, the foundation was formalised with a decree that included six departments.
The departments are Administration, Accounts, Marketing, News, Programs, and Engineering.
After Mall. Maddibo’s term, the television station was overseen by eight directors, with Barrister Mohammed Abdul Raheem, the current General Manager, appointed on June 16, 2010. He is currently the General Manager.
This station covers five states: Kwara, parts of Oyo, Kogi, Ekiti, and Osun.
This television station aspires to be the finest in everything, particularly in terms of enlightening and updating people on all relevant and educational topics.
Most people grumbled about the hour of the major news (6:30pm), which is half past six. Many others stated they would still be at work or not at home during the news, and a handful who listen to KWTV news said it is more comprehensive and covers more local events than other stations.
1.7 Definition of Certain Terms
Mother tongue or first language (L1).
The mother tongue, also known as the first language (L1), is the first language that an infant encounters in his or her environment. Mother tongues differ slightly from first languages. The mother tongue is the language of the parents, particularly the father, whereas the first language is the language of the environment.
The child’s mother tongue can be his or her first language, but it may not be. In the case of a Yoruba child growing up in ‘Okene’ in Kogi-state, where the language spoken is “Ebira,” the Yoruba child can or will speak “Ebira” due of his or her surroundings.
1.7.1 Secondary Language (Target Language)
A second language (L2) is one that exists alongside the indigenous language(s) in a bilingual or multilingual setting. It is usually an official language and hence holds a high standing inside the country.
A second or target language can be the fourth or third language to be acquired; however, as long as someone possesses a language before acquiring another, it will be referred to as the second language or target language.
1.7.2 News
Danuta (1998, p. 4) states:
News is a late Middle English word meaning “tidings” or new information about recent happenings. Even if we accept this concept as a useful representation of what newspapers convey… A more helpful definition may be information on recent occurrences that are of interest to a sufficiently large group or may have an impact on the lives of a sufficiently large group.
1.7.3 phonology
According to Akmajian et al. (2001, p.109), phonology is a discipline of linguistics that analyses the structure and systematic patterning of human language sounds.
According to him, phonology serves two purposes. The first one defines a language’s sounds and the laws that govern their use. The second section of the general theory of human language is concerned with the universal features of natural language sound systems.
Conclusion
Language and man are not the same and cannot be separated, so difficulties will always exist from both perspectives. To ensure successful communication in society, solutions to such challenges must be provided.
This chapter has introduced us to the work that will be done, and the following chapter, Chapter 2, will review various works of literature by some notable experts in the field of language, establishing the place of this work by relating it to some previously read works.
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