The Influence of Mother Tongue in the Broadcasting Industry in Nigeria

Abstract

This work provides useful insights on areas where proper care and concern should be taken to avoid the transference of phonological attributes of the broadcaster’s mother tongue to that of English language during programmes broadcast. Using the communication process model, the study was able to establish a proper theoretical foundation, which accommodated the triangulation mixed method design. The population of the study was the ensemble of broadcasters in Enugu state which was 73. A census of the population served as respondents upon whom the research instrument (questionnaire) was administered. Simple percentages and frequency distribution tables were employed in analysing the data. The study revealed that majority of the respondents was of the opinion that Nigerian broadcasters were affected by mother tongue interference in the course of their programmes. Analysis from the study further revealed that majority of the respondents agree that most Nigerian broadcasters are not grounded in the phonological structures of English language, hence cannot pronounce most words properly. The study concluded that this mother tongue interference has hindered many broadcasters from external exposure. It was recommended that broadcasters should take some extra training in the phonological structures of English language and learn the act of proper pronunciation in order to boost the credibility of the profession.

Keywords: Mother tongue, broadcasting, broadcast industry