Abstract
The research closes the gap between the audience and presenters of wazobia dem say dem
say radio program and creates relationship between the public and broadcasters. Relying
on the survey design and a 10-item structured questionnaire, which focused on how often
they listen to Pidgin English programs on radio, and distributed purposively to 400
respondents, the study assesses meaning presenter of the program “dem say dem say” on
wazobia FM tries to pass across to listeners of the program. The questionnaire was
structured using Likert scale. The data gathered was analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Findings show that number of respondents that listen to PE program on wazobia “dem say
dem say”, and have correlation of words they hear with that of the presenters was sixtytwo percent and it shows that those who do not have correlation of words with the
presenter are less in number. Interestingly is that some language use could be effective in
communication despite not being
1.0 Background
Communication is exchanging of information either orally or written form. One of the
essential elements of communication is feedback and effective communication. Communication
is also a “process of using words, sounds, signs, or attitude to express or interchange information
or to express your ideas, thoughts, feelings, etc., to someone else”.
In this study, communication is important because it is a way of reaching mutual
understanding in which presenter not only exchange information but, it creates and share meaning.
Language as a tool of communication, people share their experience and feelings through the
easiest means they can be understood in their society and amongst themselves. It doesn’t matter
the language used but all that matter is that it conveys the right message that was passed by the
source.
The existence of Pidgin English began as a result of the colonial masters coming into
Africa. Well respected philosophers noted that there is no language that is an island meaning that
language can also develop through a pre-existed one (Akinfeleye, 2008). The existence of Pidgin
English was through the English language. The use of Pidgin English began in the colonial era,
when it was necessary for Africans to understand the language of the white man in order to be able
to fit in the happenings of the society. At that period, if an African man gets to be able to understand
the language of the white man, he is placed on a big position ahead other fellow Africans (Ihemere,
2006). As a result, a lot of African’s endeavor to try to fit in with the English language and during
the process of change developed the Pidgin English.
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The term Pidgin English refers to a language that is developed in the situation where the
speakers of another language have to communicate but do not have a common language to share
with another (Ndolo, 2005).
Pidgin English is a mixture of English and local languages which enables individuals who
do not share a mutual language to communicate
(Akinfeleye, 2008) Stated that the Nigerian Pidgin English accommodates fun and
creativity, therefore, it has been able to fill significant actual space of communication in Nigeria.
All these must have been considered by Ihemere (2006) stating that the Pidgin English flourishes
better being an inter-ethnic medium of communication. It is identified as being important to be
adopted at some state or private broadcasting stations to give daily news in it and generally
believed to be a very useful broadcasting language in the country. At recent times, job
opportunities arise for those that are well spoken and fluent in the Pidgin English language. For
instance there are job opportunities within the movies industry, newspapers published in Nigerian
Pidgin, magazines and radio programs that are presented on Nigerian Pidgin entertainment.
Generally, the Nigerian Pidgin is proposed as being a replacement to standard English
broadcasting in Nigeria such that the uneducated people are able to survive the society, knowing
very well that the language appeals to wider audience from all parts of the societies in the country
(Deuber, 2005).
Therefore, since communication stands as a major life wire of all societies, at all sphere of
the societal, cultural, industrial, educational, and all the levels needs information to optimally
function in the society (Akinfeleye, 2008).
Therefore they must get some level of communication from the broadcasting media in a
language that they can effectively understand. This forms the interest of this paper, to investigate
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how the Nigerian Pidgin are interpreted and perceived by such group of listeners of dem say dem
say on wazobia FM.
In the radio industry, Pidgin English is now commonly used. It is seen as a tool to
disseminate information and generally to the target audience or consumers of the program. It helps
the people that are less educated in Nigeria to grow and be aware of the recent occurrences in the
country. More so, it also serves as an entertainment medium and generally, it serves as information
forum
.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The study will examine the structure of Pidgin English usage as well as its effectiveness.
In terms of evaluating its effectiveness, issues such as understanding, meaning placements,
attendant problems would be considered. The study will evaluate spread and frequency of usage
in select programs.
1.3 Research Objectives
1. To identify if radio audience prefers messages disseminated in Pidgin English better as
aired in the radio program.
2. To identify likely problem posed by use of Pidgin English in the select radio program.
3. To ascertain if the use of pidgin English in the select radio program is effective.
4. To determine whether there is correlation between meaning listeners attach to what they
hear and disseminated.
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1.4 Research Question
Looking at the research objectives, the following questions are examined in this study:
1. Do radio audiences prefer messages disseminated in Pidgin English as aired in the radio
program?
2. Are there likely problems with the use of Pidgin English in select radio program?
3. Is Pidgin English effective in select radio program?
4. Are there correlations in meaning between what the audience heard and what the presenter
intended?
1.5 Significance of Study
The study will contribute significantly to huge amount of available literatures on language
and communications. It will provide important understanding of the manner in which programs
are presented and should be presented for the best understanding of the audience in the radio
broadcasting industry. It will help widen our knowledge to understanding other originated
language like the Pidgin language academically. Not with standing were a person is from,
academics broaden ones knowledge of understanding.
The understanding will equip students of communication in best practice towards understanding
the meaning they attach to particular thing in communication.
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1.6 Scope of the Study
This study carried out around the area of communications dealing with communication
theories and perspectives more related to language and recognized meaning towards information
that is thought of. The study focuses on the Nigerian media specifically on the radio industry. The
study also focuses on listeners of the program dem say dem say on Wazobia FM inside and outside
AUN.
1.7 Definition of Terms
1. Effectiveness: If a radio program is productive, or yields results
2. Meaning placement: what meaning do people attach to what they hear on radio?
3. Prefer: what is more desired than the other.
4. Problems: these are circumstances to a particular meaning
5. Point of interaction: sound, music, stress, pattern, words, and effects that make listeners
attend to the language.
6. Radio program: is a section of content planned for broadcast on radio. It may be a one-time
dissemination or part of a occasionally regular sequence