FUNCTIONS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE

FUNCTIONS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN NIGERIA

1.       ENGLISH LANGUAGE SERVES AS A MEDIUM OF EDUCATION:  English language has been widely accepted as the basic language for the propagation of education in Nigeria. This is used in all facets of education and all academic materials from different fields of human endeavour are written in English so as to achieve a universal comprehension among all the inhabitants of the country. In the legal setting, English language is the prevailing language of the law. Almost all the books in law and legal drafting are written in English including the Nigerian constitution from inception till date. It also serves as the language of science and technology in the country.

2.       IT SERVES AS AN AGENT OF UNITY IN THE COUNTRY: in a multi-ethnic nation like Nigeria where different local languages abound, no tribe can really understand one another in their own esoteric language. Hence, English language has put an end to such challenge by serving as a central language which all the citizen in the country can understand thereby promoting mutual understanding and relationship among the different tribes in the country.

3.       IT SERVES AS THE LANGUAGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA:  English language is the most extensively used language in the social media in Nigeria. The two broad categories of social media in Nigeria such as prints and electronic media are dominantly written in English. Printed materials such as newspapers, magazines, journals are all written in English. Moreso, English language is the predominant medium of communication in the electronic media such as facebook, whats-app, to-go, etc.

4.       IT IS THE LANGUAGE OF NIGERIA GOVERNMENT: English language serves as a useful vehicle for governance across the country. In Nigeria, virtually all the transactions in government offices are carried out in English language. The Minutes, official correspondences, memoranda, circulars, instructions and directives are all given out in English language.

5.       AN AGENTOF INTERNATIONAL RELATION: English language is the most internationally recognized language in the world. International business and transactions wouldn't have been feasible without English as a medium of communication. Today, Nigeria can participate in any international affair involving any country of the world through the use of English which is the language that can be understood by different nations.

6.       IT SERVES AS THE LANGUAGE OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY: Transactions in commerce and industry are usually carried out in the English language. The objectives and the code of conducts of various establishments in Nigeria are written in English. English language is also the major language used in the boardrooms during meetings by members of staff..