Premium
Knowledge, Use, and Attitudes Towards Americanisms in Nigerian English
Author(s) -
Igboanusi Herbert
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
world englishes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.6
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1467-971X
pISSN - 0883-2919
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-971x.2003.00326.x
Subject(s) - nigerians , newspaper , american english , english language , media studies , sociology , political science , advertising , psychology , linguistics , business , law , mathematics education , philosophy
Abstract As a result of British colonization of Nigeria, Nigerian English has its origins in British English and its usage has shown a strong British influence. In recent times, however, Nigerian English usage seems to have shown a growing influence of American English. This study examines the extent of the knowledge and use of American English by Nigerians as well as the attitude of Nigerian speakers of English towards American influence in Nigerian English. Using samples from newspapers and news‐magazines, radio and television, supermarkets and observed conversations, the study shows that although Nigerians like the influx of Americanisms into Nigerian English, they do not actually prefer American English to British English.