Language, Mass Communication, and National Development : The Role, Perceptions and Potential of Anglo-Nigerian Pidgin in the Nigerian Mass Media / Charles C. Mann.

Anglo-Nigerian Pidgin (ANP), the principal lingua franca of intercultural communication in multiethnic Nigeria, has no recognition as an official language but has penetrated the print and electronic media, especially in southern Nigeria. A survey in six urban centers in southern Nigeria, part of a larger study, investigated the status, perceptions, and future of ANP, including the roles anticipated for it in mass communication. Ten male and ten female practitioners in the mass media were selected from each geographic area. Interviews were also conducted with several media personalities. Results indicate a majority regard ANP as a language in its own right, and a larger proportion consider it a variety of English. About one-quarter feel it should be taught or used to teach in schools. Over one-third feel it should be an official language. Under one-third find it efficient, easy to learn, and spoken by most people. A very small minority feel it aids in intercultural communication, and only one percent find it ethnically neutral. About 37 percent feel it retards learning of English. Variation among geographic areas was found. Both commonalities and disagreement were found among media personalities. Comments from interviews are excerpted. Contains 26 references. (MSE)

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