INFLUENCE OF MOTHER TONGUE IN LEARNING OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AMONG IGBO SPEAKING LEARNERS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

Language is the most distinctive human quality and attribute. Language is characterized by a set of vocal sounds which can be decoded. Language does notexist in a vacuum. It is always contextualized. There is a relationship between language and society. The importance of the relationship between language and society cannot be over-emphasized in the education of a child. Language is a guide to social reality. English language is one of the languages used in Nigeria. English language has become a valuable legacy of the !ritish which has provided Nigerians with yet another means of expressing their culture. English language is Nigeria”s official language dedime%i& ‘(()*. English language performs numerous functions in Nigeria. It serves as lingua franca. It is the language of instruction& language of constitution& language of nationalism& media& government& education among others. This is because Nigeria is a multilingual country and English language serves as a lin, among the people.English language is introduced to a child from the fourth year of primary school up to the university level #la%ide& ‘((*. This is clearly stated in section / paragraph 0& subsection on primary education& ‘((/ of the 1ederal republic of  igeria”s national policy on education.In Nigeria& much importance is attached to English language. It occupies avital role in the educational system& such importance could be seen in terms of thefunctions English language perform in igeria. It is an act of political expedienceand in addition& it helps to remove the fear of ethnical domination. The practicaloral aspect of English language becomes even more important for the purpose of interaction and articulation in our day to day use of the language. Furthermore& the use of English language paved way for participation at national and international levels. To be able to participate in the social& politicaland economical life of the country& one must be able to understand and use English language effectively and efficiently. English language is used for vertical mobility#$dedime%i& ‘(()*. It enables one to move from a lower social class to higher one.It is the language of prestige not because the users are more intelligent than the illiterates but because they can spea, it. 3o it has become a language of personality#$dedime%i& ‘(()*. The role of English language in Nigeria stresses the need for  Nigerians to learn& understand and ma,e use of English language proficiently.There is no doubt that interference is the ma%or effect of mother tongue language on English language.Interference has been observed as a cogent influence that mother tongue language has on English language. Sources of the interferences therefore could be phonology- #a science which deals with the study of sounds in language* that is how different sounds or phonemes are combined. Morphology #this deals with the combination of morphemes to form words& morpheme is the smallest indivisible unit of a language that has a significant meaning*. Syntax #the arrangement of words in a language according to rules*. The concern of this project is on the phonological aspect of English language #oral English*.

INFLUENCE OF MOTHER TONGUE IN LEARNING OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AMONG IGBO SPEAKING LEARNERS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS