Lexico‐semantic variation in Nigerian English

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The present study examines lexico‐semantic variation in Nigerian English with particular reference to the novels of three prominent Nigerian authors: Chukwuemeka Ike, Kole Omotoso and Zaynab Alkali. Ten categories of lexico‐semantic variation in Nigerian English are identified as follows: (a) loanshift, (b) semantic underdifferentiation, (c) lexico‐semantic duplication and redundancy, (d) ellipsis, (e) conversion, (f) clipping, (g) acronyms, (h) translation equivalents, (i) analogical creation and (j) coinage. The fact that all three authors consciously or subconsciously use Nigerian English expressions in their novels indicates that Nigerian English usage cuts across not only various social and educational strata but also first language backgrounds. Several of the Nigerian English expressions appearing in the novels have been institutionalized to such an extent that they are found across the novels analyzed in the study. The implications of this research are discussed in light of the on‐going debate between the ‘pedagogic unreality’ and ‘sociolinguistic reality’ schools concerning the ontological status of the new Englishes.

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