CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1.
Background
of Study
The English language has been developed to
an enviable status in Nigeria. It has become the language life in every sphere
of life where communication is necessary, both in speech and writing.
English is generally known as a language
for communication with specific rules that governs it, both in speaking and
writing.
It is a language that originated from
three jamanic tribes; Anglo, Saxon and Jute in England, which later spread all
over the world.
In Nigeria, it is made the language of
politics and government, commerce and business, inter-ethnic communication,
education, industry and the mass media. Mazuri (1998), explained the position
of English Language in the country, as quoted by Baldeh states that it is:
The medium
of intellectual transformation, occupation,
Social mobility and the
crystallization of national consciousness.
It is therefore, impossible for anyone to
get a well-paid job in the public or private without being educated.
According to Baldeh Fodeh (1982,) to obtain a lucrative job in the
public or private sector, a
pass in English was necessary prerequisite
To be educated was, in the
eyes of many to be veered in the English
Language.
Consequently, there is a rush for the
acquisition of the use at language skills.
Understandably, scholars have shown great
interest in studying the nature of the language. They have attempted a
description of the English grammar breaking it down and classifying its
constituent into various parts of speech; nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives,
adverbs, propositions, conjunctions, and interjections. These have been fully
treated in various books for English grammar quirk et al (1973), Daniel Egbe
(2000), Nzebunachi Oji (1985), Misfield (1960) etc. These are the scholars who
have it as all aim to improve the 2nd language users in speech and
writing. Their tremendous efforts at improving the qualities of English grammar
is notwithstanding.
Yet, it was noted that Nigeria writers
still find it difficult to adhere to the rules governing the construction of
grammatical sentences, formation of words, correct tenses, punctuation and
concord. There is a feeling that the situation has gone from bad to worst. The
present study represents a fresh attempt to find a dependable solution to the
problem.
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