Whose Standard, Which Model? Towards the Definition of a Standard Nigerian Spoken English for Teaching, Learning and Testing in Nigerian Schools

Abstract

Abstract The adoption of RP as a model of teaching in non-native speaker English societies such as Nigeria seems to have come to say. However, the accent of English that emerged in Nigeria, over the years, (to some linguists) is anything but RP (although some hold the view that there are a few RP speakers in Nigeria). We are, therefore, forced to ask the question: What is RP?; or better still: what are its defining characteristics, particularly in relation to non-native varieties of English? Consequently, were are motivated to search for, and identify alternative local (standard) accents for teaching purposes. This paper attempts to identify the Nigerian standard accent of English that is appropriate for adoption as a model for teaching English pronunciation. It examines the problems associated with the identification of a standard form in the light of variables such as international intelligibility local acceptability, a real and social variation, in native and non-native speaker communities alike. On the basis of socio-linguistic realities it recommends an accent for teaching, learning and testing in Nigerian schools.

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