How has Nigerian English affected English language teaching and learning in Cameroon?

Abstract

Whether English has become an international lingua franca or not is no longer a conjecture. Evidence in science and technology as well as international business and communication can buttress this point. The bond (both geographical and intercultural) between Nigeria and Cameroon dates as far as the precolonial periods to the present date with consequent influences. The most recent influence is reminiscent of popular arts with the artistic hegemony exerted by the Nigerian movie industry and popular art forms in West and Central Africa. This has resulted in an unnoticeable invasion and spread of Nigerian English in this context. Using the accommodation theory by Howard Giles as a theoretical premise, this paper investigates the linguistic influence of Nigerian popular arts on English language learning and teaching in Cameroon. Qualitative data collection processes such as observation and interviews were adopted while content analysis frameworks were used for analysis. Findings reveal that learners have acquired new lexical items and expressions from Nigerian popular art forms and use them in their conversations; both within and without the classroom. An inventory of these words and expressions was made with a further lexico-semantic appraisal and pedagogic relevance drawn from the data. The study recommends the need for linguists to pay attention to outer cycle varieties and inherent influences rather than the dominant native and non-native dichotomy. From a pedagogic perspective, the study reiterates the need to use popular art forms in the teaching/learning process of English but this time around with context-specific forms and local coloration. or copy and paste your abstract of no more than 250 words. The abstract should provide a brief introduction, the objective/purpose of the study, the research method used the expected findings and results, and a conclusion. Avoid citations, abbreviations, and formulae.