CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Code-switching and code-mixing are popular characteristics in the speech pattern of the average bilingual in any human society the world over especially in the African society. The first contains the definition of concepts. It is in the second that the previous investigations of scholars on code-switching and code-mixing are examined. The entire procedure for the current research constitutes the third section, while the fourth one contains the conclusion in which the afore-mentioned implication is explicitly stated.

Code-switching is a linguistic behaviour that arises as a result of languages coming into contact with each other and the need for individuals to effectively communicate. Generally, it simply means mixing of words, phrases or smaller units of one language into the structure of another language in other to effectively communicate. Hymes (1962) defines code-switching as a common term for alternative use of two or more languages, varieties of a language or even speech styles. Code-switching which is often times referred to as ‘code-mixing’, ‘code-shifting’ or ‘code-changing’ has also been defined as the act of “alternation of two languages within a single discourse, sentence or constituent” (Poplack, 2008) While Bokamba (2009) defines code mixing and shifting as the mixing of words, phrases and sentences from two distinct grammatical (sub) systems across sentence boundaries within the same speech event… code-mixing is the embedding of various linguistic units such as affixes (bound morphemes), words (unbound morphemes), phrases and clauses from a co-operative activity where the participants, in order to infer what is intended, must reconcile what they hear with what they understand. Other phenomena that could result from languages being exposed to one another are bilingualism, borrowing, pidginization and creolization. However, some people have used the term ‘code-switching’ and ‘code-mixing’ to distinguish two types of alternation in the use of two languages. Code-switching is said to be the alternate use of sentences from two languages in a single discourse, while code- mixing refers to the alternate use of constituents from two languages within a sentence.

STATEMENT OF THE GENERAL PROBLEM

The multilingual nature of the country and some individuals’ multilingual or bilingual competence and the inter-language relationship existing between English language and over four hundred indigenous languages in Nigeria have led to code-mixing in conversation, discourse and communicative competence which has negatively affected communication between the diverse ethnic nationalities in        Nigeria.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major aim of the study is to examine code mixing and code switching among market women in Nigeria.

1. To examine the major reasons for code switching and code mixing among market women.
2. To determine the level of code mixing and code switching  among women in Nigeria.
3. To determine the effect of code mixing and code switching on communication among market women.
4. To recommend ways of effective communication among market women in Nigeria.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the major reasons for code switching and code mixing among market women?
2. What is the level of code mixing and code switching among women in Nigeria?
3. What is the effect of code mixing and code switching on communication among market women?
4. What are the ways of effective communication among market women in Nigeria?

RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0: Code mixing and code switching has no effect on effective communication among market women in Nigeria.

H1: Code mixing and code switching has an effect on effective communication among market women in Nigeria.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study would greatly benefit market women in Nigerian markets as it would reveal the effect of code mixing and switching on effective communication as the study tries to recommend ways of effective communication in Nigeria. the study would be of immense importance to students,researchers and scholars who are interested in developing further studies on the subject matter.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study is restricted to code mixing and switching among market women in Nigeria using Illorin metropolis in Kwara state as the case study.

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends 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)

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

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