Background of the Study
Bilingual discourse is increasingly common in professional environments, where individuals must navigate the complexities of using two languages effectively. In Ibadan, professionals often switch between Yoruba and English to suit different communicative contexts, balancing formal and informal registers. Pragmatic awareness—the ability to interpret and use language appropriately in context—is critical for ensuring that bilingual discourse is coherent and culturally sensitive (Akinola, 2023). This awareness encompasses not only grammatical competence but also an understanding of how politeness, indirectness, and cultural references are managed across languages. Professionals in Ibadan leverage their bilingual skills to negotiate negotiations, manage cross-cultural interactions, and enhance workplace communication. However, the interplay between Yoruba’s culturally specific pragmatic markers and the standardized norms of English can lead to challenges, including code-switching ambiguities and misinterpretations (Balogun, 2024). This study appraises the level of pragmatic awareness among bilingual Yoruba-English professionals by examining recorded interactions, conducting surveys, and analyzing discourse patterns to determine how effectively they manage pragmatic differences.
Statement of the Problem
Despite the benefits of bilingual communication, professionals in Ibadan often encounter difficulties in maintaining pragmatic clarity when switching between Yoruba and English (Akinola, 2023). Divergent cultural expectations and linguistic norms can result in miscommunication and loss of intended meaning, adversely affecting workplace efficiency. There is a dearth of research examining how bilingual speakers develop and apply pragmatic awareness, leaving a gap in understanding the strategies that might mitigate these issues (Balogun, 2024).
Objectives of the Study
To evaluate pragmatic awareness in bilingual Yoruba-English discourse.
To identify challenges in managing pragmatic differences.
To recommend strategies for enhancing communication clarity.
Research Questions
How is pragmatic awareness manifested in bilingual professional discourse?
What challenges arise from pragmatic mismatches between Yoruba and English?
What measures can improve pragmatic competence?
Significance of the Study
This study is significant as it investigates pragmatic awareness in bilingual discourse among Ibadan professionals, providing insights into effective cross-linguistic communication. The findings will benefit educators, corporate trainers, and policymakers by informing strategies to bridge cultural and linguistic divides, thus enhancing workplace efficiency (Akinola, 2023; Balogun, 2024).
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study focuses on bilingual Yoruba-English interactions among professionals in Ibadan and does not extend to informal or academic contexts.
Definitions of Terms
Pragmatic Awareness: Sensitivity to context-specific language use.
Bilingual Discourse: Communication involving two languages.
Yoruba-English: The language pair used in Ibadan professional settings.
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