An assessment of semantic roles in Nigerian Pidgin discourse in Port Harcourt
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Background of the study
Semantic roles, which define the relationship between predicates and their arguments, are integral to understanding discourse. In Nigerian Pidgin, especially in the urban context of Port Harcourt, speakers use semantic roles to negotiate meaning in dynamic and often informal settings. This study assesses how semantic roles—such as agent, patient, and instrument—are assigned and interpreted in Nigerian Pidgin discourse among Port Harcourt’s residents. Analysis of conversational data, media transcripts, and online interactions reveals that semantic roles in Nigerian Pidgin can be fluid, reflecting the language’s hybrid nature and adaptability to various social contexts (Okoro, 2023). The research explores how these roles are influenced by factors such as context, speaker intention, and cultural conventions. Findings suggest that while traditional grammatical markers are sometimes obscured in Nigerian Pidgin, speakers rely on contextual cues to convey meaning accurately. This study contributes to the broader field of semantics by elucidating the mechanisms of role assignment in a creole language and by highlighting the interaction between language structure and social practice (Udo, 2024).
Statement of the problem
Although semantic roles are central to meaning construction, little empirical research has focused on their realization in Nigerian Pidgin, particularly in Port Harcourt. Preliminary observations indicate that ambiguous role assignments may lead to misinterpretations, affecting both casual and formal communication (Eze, 2023). This study aims to document and analyze semantic role assignment in Nigerian Pidgin to address these communicative challenges.
Objectives of the study
- To identify key semantic roles in Nigerian Pidgin discourse.
- To analyze how these roles are expressed and interpreted in context.
- To assess the implications of role ambiguity on communication effectiveness.
Research questions - What semantic roles are most frequently assigned in Nigerian Pidgin?
- How are these roles clarified in discourse?
- What impact does role ambiguity have on mutual understanding?
Significance of the study
This study is significant as it provides insights into the mechanisms of semantic role assignment in Nigerian Pidgin, enhancing our understanding of creole language dynamics. Its findings will inform language teaching, media production, and everyday communication practices in urban settings (Chinedu, 2024).
Scope and limitations of the study
This study is limited to assessing semantic roles in Nigerian Pidgin discourse in Port Harcourt. It does not extend to other regions or languages.
Definitions of terms - Semantic Roles: Functions that entities play in a sentence, such as agent and patient.
- Nigerian Pidgin: A creole language widely used in Nigeria.
- Discourse: Extended verbal communication beyond the sentence level.
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