Creativity in Language Usage in Nigerian Universities: An Extension of Linguistic Platform for University Freshmen

Abstract

English as used at various levels, could be formal or informal. Formal English is both nationally and internationally intelligible while the informal English is a combination of all aspects of English that is not internationally intelligible. Although every person has some degree of creativity, Nigerian University freshmen are often confronted with the informal English on entering the University. They must also conform to their new environment linguistically. The concept of individual differences in which no two people behave exactly the same way also applies to language usage. They therefore create languages that fit into their environment while exhibiting their creative potentials. This paper thus, examines the various creative language usages in the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria and concludes by proffering suggestions which encourage the use of creative languages as a means of self expression and intellectual development of the individual.

Keywords: Creativity and language use.