English Loans in Yoruba Language: Linguistic Empowerment or Disenfranchisement?
Date
2018-12
Authors
Yusuff, L.A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Linguistic Association of Nigeria
Abstract
Many of Nigeria's indigenous languages have developed an intrinsic affinity with the English language, and this has resulted in crossing of forms and elements; and intermixing of linguistic features through loans especially. This paper examines this phenomenon in the Yoruba language with a view to ascertaining its effect on the language. Using the Lexicalists' theory of Generative Morphology, the paper analyzes the structures of some selected loan words in Yoruba. It conjectures that the English language, serving as a veritable communication bridge, boosts the Yoruba lexicon with words for notions and ideas that are alien to the Yoruba culture. Conversely, the Yoruba language has been suffering consistent and systematic lexical percolation through the substitution of native words with English equivalents. On these grounds, it is observed that the system or patterning of loaning in this case comes in three basic ways: domestication, integration and codemixing.
Description
Scholarly articles
Keywords
Loan words , Lexicalists , Empowerment , Disenfranchisement , Research Subject Categories::HUMANITIES and RELIGION
Citation
Yusuff, A (2018). English Loans in Yoruba Language: Linguistic Empowerment or Disenfranchisement?’ in JOLAN: Journal of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria. Supplement III: Language Documentation and Description in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects. (supported by TETFUND) pp.232-247 [ISSN 0189-5680]