A Study of the Acquisition of ‘Their’ and ‘There’ by Selected Nigerian Students

Abstract

This study investigated the acquisition of ‘their’ and ‘there’ by selected Nigerian learners of English. The data for the study were drawn from an essay writing assignment written by 40 purposively selected 100 and 200 level students of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics of simple percentage. The results showed that ‘their’ was more frequently used than ‘there’. It was established that 99 instances of ‘their’ were used by the students. Out of these 63 (63.64%) were correctly used while 36 (36.36%) were instances of wrong usages. Moreover, it was revealed that only 18 instances of ‘there’ were recorded; of which 6 (33.33%) were correctly used and 12 (66.67%) were instances of deviant usages. In spite of the high frequency rate and correct usage of ‘their’ there were deviant usages which can make non-native speakers’ texts appear confusing and even obscure. The study revealed how and why the problems arise and how they can be corrected. The study thus concluded that these and other problems be focused on and solutions to them be found so that English spoken and written by Nigerian learners/users will be more acceptable and intelligible globally.