A tri-generational study of language choice and language shift in Port Harcourt City Nigeria
This study seeks to investigate and present a systematic and coherent synchronic account of the language choice patterns by Ikwerre-Nigerian Pidgin English bilinguals in Port Harcourt City, Nigeria. The Ikwerre people are a little known minority ethnic group whose social history and current linguistic behaviours have before now not been systematically explored. The research is undertaken by means of a variety of methods including ethnographic participant observation, paying particular attention to relevant features of the Ikwerre culture and social organisation. Moreover, information obtained from the anthropological approach is supplemented by data gathered through face-to-face language use in the form of oral interviews and questionnaires. The rationale in this case is to explore methodological issues in the field of language shift more generally - particularly, the harmonisation between self-reported data and ethnographic techniques. The areas covered in the thesis are: i. The extent and patterning of Ikwerre/Nigerian Pidgin English (NPE) bilingualism within the Ikwerre community. ii. The means by which people in this community utilise two different languages in their routine communicative interactions.
Ihemere, Kelechukwu Uchechukwu
A tri-generational study of language choice and language shift in Port Harcourt City Nigeria. This study seeks to investigate and present a systematic and coherent synchronic account of the language choice patterns by Ikwerre-Nigerian Pidgin English bilinguals in Port Harcourt City, Nigeria. The Ikwerre people are a little known minority ethnic group whose social history and current linguistic behaviours have before now not been systematically explored. The research is undertaken by means of a variety of methods including ethnographic participant observation, paying particular attention to relevant features of the Ikwerre culture and social organisation. Moreover, information obtained from the anthropological approach is supplemented by data gathered through face-to-face language use in the form of oral interviews and questionnaires. The rationale in this case is to explore methodological issues in the field of language shift more generally - particularly, the harmonisation between self-reported data and ethnographic techniques. The areas covered in the thesis are: i. The extent and patterning of Ikwerre/Nigerian Pidgin English (NPE) bilingualism within the Ikwerre community. ii. The means by which people in this community utilise two different languages in their routine communicative interactions.
tri generational study language_choice language_shift port city nigeria study_seek investigate present_systematic coherent synchronic account language_choice pattern nigerian english bilingual port city nigeria people little_known minority ethnic_group whose social_history current linguistic_behaviour systematically explore undertaken mean variety_method include ethnographic participant_observation pay_particular_attention relevant feature culture social_organisation moreover information_obtain anthropological supplement data_gather face_to_face language_use form oral interview_questionnaire rationale case explore methodological_issue field language_shift generally particularly self reported data ethnographic technique area_cover extent pattern nigerian english bilingualism within community mean people community utilise two_different language routine communicative_interaction