Mother Tongue Interference in new broadcast in Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Cooperation

Mother Tongue Interference in new broadcast in Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Cooperation

Abstract

 The study examines Mother Tongue Interference in new broadcast in Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Cooperation (AKBC). To achieve the objectives of the study, survey research design was adopted. The population for the study was ten (10) English version Broadcasters in Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Cooperation (AKBC). Two research questions were formulated to guide the study.

Instrument used for data collection was Audio tape recordings on mother tongue interference (ATROMTIAKBC). Data analysis was simple percentage, findings revealed that in spite of the fact that Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Cooperation (AKBC) performed well in their spoken English and the articulation of sounds segments, these  broadcasts are influenced by mother tongue which leads to their  mispronunciation of words such as /very/to/fery/problem/ploblem/and/divine/ford/difine/during transmission.

Based on these findings, the study recommended that seminars should be organized on areas affecting their mispronunciation during news transmission. In the same vein, these broadcasters should also cultivate the habit of listening regularly to the native speakers of English who will serve as models for them to emulate. 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study

One of the most important differences between man and animal is man’s ability to speak and make others understand him. Language is only possible because within each society, people agree to understand a particular pattern of sound in a particular way. For instance, all English speaking countries understand the meaning of the word ‘water’. According to Akindele and Adegbije (1999), language is:

A human phenomenon that has form which can be described in terms of units of sound (phonemes), word, morphemes, phrases, sentences and paragraphs or discourse (1).

This definition shows that language has often been identified as the most unique attribute of man. It is through language that human beings grasp and understand reality and transmit it from one generation to another. This view is buttressed by Blakar who asserts that “we actually live and behave in a world of language” (4). On the other hand, Victoria Fromkin and Robert Rodman(1980) quoted Noam Chomoky as saying that:

When we study human language, we are approaching what some might call the human essence. The distributive qualities of mind those are so far as we know unique to man. (1).

Language, which Oyewo Yinka describe as “the medium or vehicle for conveying ideas, a system of arbitrary vocal symbol based on social cooperation; the totality of meaningful utterance in any given society” (15) is by far the most important means of human communication. On other hand, human language is natural. According to Adebayo, (1995) “language (Human language) is one of the chief means by which a person learns to organize his experiences and thoughts”

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary

The purpose of this research work was to examine mother tongue interference in news Broadcast in AKBC. Based on the findings, the study has shown that Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Cooperation (AKBC) broadcasters encounter huge difficulty during transmission as a result of mother tongue interference. It is also observed that, at their process of broadcasting their difficulty is based on the degree of inconsistency in syntactic arrangement of words in a linear format based on the grammatical rules of language.

5.2 Conclusion

Based on the findings of the study, it was revealed that mother tongue has a strong influence on Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Cooperation (AKBC).The study further proved that, in Nigeria languages, it is obvious that mother tongue occurs at the level of syntax particularly in relation to word order in sentences. It is on this point that these broadcasters encounter challenges of, mother tongue interference.

In support of this view, Eka (2010:75) states that since many Nigerian languages do not have a dental fricative and these are likely to be problematic at among second language learners L1. Therefore, the problem with Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Cooperation (AKBC) broadcasters is as a result of mother tongue interference. In the same vein Eka (1994), at the level of malapropism which entails the use of wrong words as a result of resemblances in forms of words such as; been as /being/, poll as /pool/, eminent as / immanent/,   also   influences  by these broadcasters.

On the other hand, they also made mistakes and errors which are unconsciously or involuntarily made at the process of transmissions.  It should be recalled here that, mistakes and errors are unalike according to Ellis, Corder and Brown (1987) among others (as cited in Sabbah, 2015, p.270). The word, error („errare‟ in Latin) is defined in the Webster‟s New International Dictionary of the English language as „a departure or deviation from that which is right or correct‟. (1869) In relation to language study, Corder defines errors as „breaches of the code of a language‟. (76) He states that errors are deviant structures or unacceptable utterances which are signs of „imperfect knowledge‟ of the linguistic code.

To him 37 therefore, errors are committed by those who are not grounded in the structure of a language. Headbloom shares this view and comments that „errors are goof or deviant productions, they are a systematic deviation from the target language by a non–native speaker‟. (See Ubahakwe 30) Ellis agrees with Headbloom that language error is peculiar to a second language learner. Hence, he defines errors „as deviations from the target language by a non-native speaker‟.

(32) He added that these errors are committed out of socio-linguistic and socio-cultural factors. Headblooms and Ellis‟ definitions point out that errors are exclusive to second language learners. Richards believes that an error is not just the outcome of carelessness or forgetfulness. An error is characterized by systematic deviancy. (See Aiyewumi et al 4) In the same vain, French in Aiyewumi describes errors in language learning as „those oddities that are not evidence of carelessness or of unwillingness but of growing pains and desire to learn‟.

(4). Mistakes are considered slips of the tongue and can be self corrected. Mistakes are made due to lapses in the learners’ performance. This has therefore shown that, they made such errors because of ignorance of the correct rule or structure, which are made repeatedly and cannot be recognized at the process of communication. (Sabah,2015, p. 270). Consequently, the above forms the research topic on mother tongue interference in news broadcast in AKBC.

5.3 Recommendations

Based on the findings on mother tongue interference in news broadcast in AKBC, the following recommendations are made:

AKBC news casters should always communicate carefully to overcome errors from mother tongue interference; this would eventually enhance their communicative competence.

Seminars should also be organized for more enlightenment on ways of coping with mother tongue interference.

Another dimension of understanding and coping with the problem of mother tongue interference is proper handling of the length feature, because many Nigerians have the tendency to overlook the long vowels which do not have direct equivalents in the Nigeria languages. Therefore, these broadcasters should be noted that shortening of long vowels cause unacceptable pronunciation which tends to influence their mother tongue interference during transmission. These broadcasters are advised to note the similarities and differences between English sounds and the sounds of our mother tongue.