AN EXAMINATION OF SLANGS USAGE AMONG UNDERGRADUATE
- Project Research
- 1-5 Chapters
- Quantitative
- ANOVA
- Abstract : Available
- Table of Content: Available
- Reference Style: APA
- Recommended for : Student Researchers
- NGN 3000
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
It is possible to describe language as a method of communication, a platform for the expression of feelings, a route for the transmission of ideas, a vital component of socioeconomic and political advancement, and even a way of life (Cheikh & Dnaguir, 2019). Other writers have provided documentation for a variety of other meanings of language. Language is an extremely significant factor in the everyday existence of a people. Not only does it function as a means of communication, but it also acts as a symbol of the identity of the group and of the unity within it (Saidu & Muhammad, 2019). Language helps various groups of people to become aware of who they are as individuals as well as the racial, ethnic, and linguistic entities to which they belong. In general, it is a wonderful value to society since every single need that man has, both inside and outside of his society, is dependent on language, and the needs and ambitions of man find their expression in language (Richard, 2019). The use of language as a medium for the transmission of ideas may be traced all the way back to prehistoric times. The term "communication" can refer to either an action or a process that not only involves shared experience but also incorporates the mutual impact of both parties. According to one definition, communication is "a symbolic process through which meaning is communicated and negotiated" (ThoughtCo., 2019). To put it another way, communication takes place whenever one person gives the words or acts of another person significance in their mind. To put this another way, we may argue that communication is a two-way process that involves a sender and a receiver. If this is the case, then the symbols we convey can only have significance if the other person also uses our symbolic system (Nguemo, 2016). As a method, it entails the use of a channel, or path, via which messages are delivered in such a way that the individuals involved in the communication may be regarded of as both sending and receiving messages. Communication is described as a "give and take process" by Saidu and Muhammad (2019), who define it as "the transfer of information from one person to another using symbols or codes which are significant to both the information transmitter and the receiver." Participants, messages, meaning, symbols, encoding, and decoding are the key components of communication. In order for communication to be successful and fully realized, each of these components must be taken into account. Slang is a highly colloquial language that is made up of either newly coined words or older terms that are repurposed in creative ways to achieve an exaggerated or comedic impact (Maurer, 2021). Slang frequently employs figurative language, in which a vivid image serves in place of a literal definition of a term. Sometimes slang makes its way into the public lexicon after having originated as the language spoken among "insiders," or those who share a similar outlook or experience. Slang was first employed in England about the year 1800 as a "particular vocabulary" by any group of people of a low or disreputable character. Its origins may be traced back to this time period. It took some time, but eventually people started to embrace it and it spread to other regions of the world. "very informal words and expressions that are more common in spoken language especially used by a particular group of people, for example, children, criminals, soldiers, etc.," as defined by the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (2017), "slang" refers to "very informal words and expressions that are more common in spoken language." As a result of the fact that it is relevant to members of a social group or circle of friends, it is generally agreed upon that slang phrases are unofficial, fleeting, restricted in their reach, and connotative in their viewpoint (Saidu & Muhammad, 2019). This characteristic differentiates members of a group from those who are not members of the group. As a consequence, when a non-member attempts to use these terms, he is quickly identified as failing to utilize the phrase in an effective and efficient manner.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The English language is in a state of perpetual flux, and as a result, slang is gradually assuming an increasingly significant role in the altering linguistic landscape. Slang is the source of the majority of newly coined terms. Among the more than 200,000 definitions that are included in the most current edition (2000) of The Random House Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, which was just issued, there are 303 new terms (Cheikh & Dnaguir, 2019). The majority are derived from slang, which is frequently considered to be the language of young people. Slang is a constantly evolving set of colloquial terms and phrases that are typically seen as being separate from the standard language and socially lower than the standard language. Slang is used to develop or maintain social identity and cohesion, particularly within a group or in conjunction with a trend or fad in society at large. This is especially true inside a group (Maurer, 2021). It is something that happens in each and every language, and the presence of a fleeting vocabulary of this kind within a language is possibly as ancient as the concept of language itself. In 1938, the phrase "money, sex, and heady wine" was coined to describe the origins of slang (Saidu & Muhammad, 2019). Even with the addition of medications, not much has changed. Also, doing so is hardly likely. Standard English already contains most of the terms it need, whereas the vocabulary of slang continues to grow. The patterns will continue to exist; however, the requirement for slang to maintain even a short-term level of secrecy will result in the lists of synonyms to continue to grow (Richard, 2019). Several writers have conducted research on the topic of undergraduate students' usage of slang around the world. For example, ThoughtCo. (2019) compiled a list of slang idioms that were popular among students at the University of North Carolina between the years 1972 and 1993. These expressions were collected by Eble, C. In Nigeria, the usage of slang is widespread, and the manner in which it is spoken varies from one school to another due to the fact that students in Nigeria place a strong emphasis on their social lives, particularly as it relates to their eating, drinking, clothing, love habits, and surroundings. According to Nguemo (2016), some of the most important factors that motivate the use of slang by students include the establishment and maintenance of group identity, formation of a united whole, and distinctiveness of members from members of other groups. In other words, slang helps students establish and maintain their group identity (Nguemo, 2016).
Even though there have been a few studies done in Nigeria on the use of slang among students at various institutions, such as the ones that were presented above, it is absolutely necessary to have an understanding of how slang is used by students in other Nigerian colleges. This is because slang is used to characterize activities that students engage in, as well as activities that humans engage in across a variety of sociocultural, economic, religious, and political contexts. In addition, Cheikh and Dnaguir (2019) hold the belief that because slangy expressions and terms have not yet been accepted in formal oral and written speech, the continued use of these expressions and terms may have a negative impact on teaching and learning in Nigerian universities, which are generally conducted with the English language serving as the medium of instruction (Maurer, 2021).
According to Maurer (2021), slang originated as creatively alternate methods of stating things that could otherwise be communicated in more polite ways. Maurer argues that slang has evolved into its current state. On the other hand, Saidu and Muhammad (2019) contend that the politeness of this type of language is inextricably linked to the context, time, and location in which it is used. According to Eble's definition, slang is "an ever-changing set of colloquial words and phrases that speakers use to establish or reinforce social identity or cohesiveness within a group or with a trend or fashion in society at large." Slang is defined as "an ever-changing set of words and phrases that speakers use to establish or reinforce social identity or cohesiveness within a group." Slang seems to be a feature of every language that is used in daily contact by a community that is large enough and diverse enough to have distinguishable subgroups, hence the existence of vocabulary of this kind inside a language may be as ancient as language itself (Nguemo, 2016). As a result, the purpose of this study is to analyze the use of slang among undergraduate students.
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The primary objective of this study is to examine slangs usage among undergraduate. Specifically, this study seeks to:
- Examine the knowledge of slangs usage among undergraduates
- Find out the frequency of slangs usage among undergraduates
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
In order to achieve the objectives of this study, the following research questions are established
- What is the knowledge of slangs usage among undergraduates?
- What is the frequency of slangs usage among undergraduates?
1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
The following null hypotheses are tested in this study:
H01: The knowledge of slangs usage among undergraduates is low
H02: The frequency of slangs usage among undergraduates is low
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study will add to existing literature on this topic and shall serve as a reference piece to students, researchers and scholars who may wish to carry out further studies on this topic or related domain in the future.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study will border on examining the knowledge of slangs and its usage frequency among undergraduates. This study shall be delimited to undergraduates in University of Lagos and Lagos State University.
1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Slang: a type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, are more common in speech than writing, and are typically restricted to a particular context or group of people.
Undergraduate: a university student who has not yet taken a first degree.
Student: a person who is studying at a university or other place of higher education.
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