SOAS journal explores negative feelings towards Nigerian pidgin English
A reflection on Yorùbá language changes among London families, and an analysis of why some university students feel negatively towards Nigerian Pidgin English are some of the research papers published in a new SOAS journal.
The Working Papers in Linguistics (WPL) journal, a long-standing student-led initiative from the Department of Linguistics at SOAS, has announced the release of its 21st volume, edited by PhD students Tom Jelpke and Vasiliki Vita. This latest edition of the journal is a testament to the dedication of the linguistic community at SOAS and showcases a diverse range of research papers contributed by both students, faculty and alumni.
Adékúnmi Ọlátúnjí, editor of Working Papers in Linguistics Volume 20 and an alumnus of SOAS's MA Linguistics program, presents:
"Reflections on how Family Language Policies have contributed to language shift among Yorùbás in London. This qualitative study explores the language practices of the Yorùbá community in London, analysing the implicit beliefs and attitudes inherent in familial use of language within the broader sociolinguistic context of London.
This qualitative study explores the language practices of the Yorùbá community in London, analysing the implicit beliefs and attitudes inherent in familial use of language within the broader sociolinguistic context of London
“My identity as a Yorùbá heritage speaker was central to my master’s research project. I sought to deconstruct the sometimes extractive nature of research by foregrounding my identity as a heritage speaker. My experiential knowledge uniquely positioned me vis-a-vis the participants, the language, and the subject matter to engage with a degree of insight that strengthened the research process.
“I was then able to apply the knowledge gained from this project to my work with individuals and community organisations committed to teaching Yorùbá to heritage learners.” says Adékúnmi.
Chinazor Nwoda, a postgraduate researcher in Linguistics at SOAS, contributes her research on "Attitudes Regarding the Use of Nigerian Pidgin English among Nigerian Students at Coventry University”. Speaking about her work, Chinazor said: "my research uncovers an underlying negative perception, shedding light on historical prejudices that persist since the colonial era." Her findings, derived from her MA dissertation at Coventry University, reveal the prevailing negative attitudes towards Nigerian Pidgin English, rooted in the post-colonial context of both Nigeria and the UK.
My research uncovers an underlying negative perception, shedding light on historical prejudices that persist since the colonial era
Also included are papers by Saskia Dunn, exploring negation in Proto Tukanoan; Lu Xue and Yan Jiang, examining the semantics and pragmatics of "yòu" in Mandarin Chinese; and Ben Carson, discussing language attitudes in Lubumbashi, DRC. Additionally, Joseph Lovestrand offers a review of Shobhana Chellia's work on language documentation's importance, catering to non-specialists. The publication continues to be a platform for groundbreaking linguistic research.
The 21st volume of Working Papers in Linguistics is a testament to the dedication and scholarship within the SOAS Department of Linguistics, spanning a diverse array of linguistic subjects and research approaches. The journal continues to be a vital platform for linguists and researchers to contribute valuable insights to the field of linguistics.
The new volume of Working Papers in Linguistics can be accessed through SOAS's academic resources and libraries.
