Teaching English as a Foreign Language Journal
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2022)

Exploring the subject, adjunct and Wh-island constraints in the usage of English in some selected Nigerian newspapers

Lynda Ambrose (Western Delta University, Oghara Delta State)
Stela Igene (University of Benin)



Article Info

Publish Date
09 Nov 2022

Abstract

This paper explores the subject, adjunct and Wh-island constraints in the usage of  English in some selected Nigerian  newspapers. The purpose is to know the extent to which these constraints have adapted to the Nigerian English. This study is based on the same code which is English language but of different varieties such as Nigerian English and English by the native speakers. This research is qualitative in nature, it is based on textual analysis, data were purposively sampled from the reportage columns in some selected Nigerian newspapers such as the  interview columns. The theoretical framework used in this study is the Chomskyan Principles and Parameters theory with a focus on movement and bounding theories. Findings show that writers of Nigerian newspaper columns use the subject island, adjunct island and wh-island constraints sparingly and this shows a tactful attempt to avoid expressions which permits long distant wh- movement in order not to violate the subjacency conditions and syntactic constraints. Due to the tactful avoidance, this paper recommends that complex syntactic structures should be thought extensively at all stages in the Nigerian classrooms to enable L2 learners of English gain adequate competence and performance of the language.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

tefl

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences Other

Description

Focus and Scope Aims • The journal provides a formal, well-organised forum for non-native-English scholars to make new academic contributions to research and practice in ELT on a global basis. • The journal serves as a hosting space for both native and non-native academics to share ideas and ...