TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE---------------------------------------------------------------------------------i
DECLARATION----------------------------------------------------------------------------ii
DEDICATION------------------------------------------------------------------------------iii
CERTIFICATION-------------------------------------------------------------------------iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMETS-----------------------------------------------------------------v
TABLE OF CONTENTS----------------------------------------------------------------vii
ABSTRACT----------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study-------------------------------------------------------------1
1.2 Statement of the Problem------------------------------------------------------------5
1.3 Purpose of the Study------------------------------------------------------------------7
1.4 Research Questions-------------------------------------------------------------------7
1.5 Significance of the Study------------------------------------------------------------8
1.6 Delimitation of the Study------------------------------------------------------------9
1.7 Definition of Terms-------------------------------------------------------------------9
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.0 Introduction--------------------------------------------------------------------------11
2.1 Differences between Spoken Language and Written language--------------12
2.2 Meaning of Language Acquisition-----------------------------------------------13
2.3 Theories of Language Acquisition-----------------------------------------------14
2.4 Meaning of Mother Tongue (MT)-----------------------------------------------17
2.5 Second Language (L2/SL)--------------------------------------------------------18
2.6 Second Language and Proficiency----------------------------------------------19
2.7 Mother Tongue Interference on English Language Pronunciation-------20
2.8.1 Language Contact----------------------------------------------------------------23
2.8.2 Effect of One Language on Another when Contacted----------------------23
2.9 Pronunciation----------------------------------------------------------------------26
2.10.1 Sound Systems of English Language------------------------------------------28
2.10.2 Distinctive Features of Phonemes----------------------------------------------29
2.11 National Language Policy Requirement in Our Schools-------------------34
2.12 English Language in Nigeria-------------------------------------------------------35
2.13 Phonological Variation of Yoruba Spoken in Igbeti--------------------------36
2.14 Pronunciation Model of English in a Second Language Situation---------39
2.15 Pronunciation Features of Yoruba in Learning English---------------------40
2.16 Cause of Linguistic Interference-------------------------------------------------41
2.17.1 Contrastive Analysis of English and Yoruba Phonemes---------------------43
2.17.2 English Vowels---------------------------------------------------------------------68
2.17. 3Yoruba Vowels--------------------------------------------------------------------70
2.17.4 English Language Consonant System-----------------------------------------72
2.17.5 English Consonants Chart-------------------------------------------------------74
2.17.6 Yoruba Language Consonant System-----------------------------------------75
2.17.7 Yoruba Consonants Chart-------------------------------------------------------77
2.18 Teaching English Pronunciation for Intelligibility----------------------------78
2.19 Summary-----------------------------------------------------------------------------79
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction-------------------------------------------------------------------------81
3.2 Research Design---------------------------------------------------------------------81
3.3 Population----------------------------------------------------------------------------81
3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Techniques------------------------------------------82
3.5 Procedure for Data Presentation --------------------------------------------------82
3.6 Data Collection Instrument -------------------------------------------------------83
3.7 Method of Data Analysis-----------------------------------------------------------84
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA INTERPRETATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS
4.1 Introduction--------------------------------------------------------------------------85
4.2 Analysis on Respondents’ Qualification, Work Experience and Sex-----s-85
4.3 Analysis of Teachers Questionnaire--------------------------------------------87
4.4 Analysis of Students Questionnaire--------------------------------------------92
4.5 Discussion of Findings------------------------------------------------------------97
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction--------------------------------------------------------------------------99
5.2 Summary-----------------------------------------------------------------------------99
5.3 Conclusion-------------------------------------------------------------------------102
5.4 Recommendations-----------------------------------------------------------------104
5.5 Suggestion for further Studies----------------------------------------------------107
REFERENCES---------------------------------------------------------------------------108
APPENDICES----------------------------------------------------------------------------112
ABSTRACT
The study is designed to examine the effects of mother tongue interference among Yoruba students on spoken English at Junior Secondary Schools using four secondary schools in Igbeti, Oyo State. The study investigated how Yoruba language has interfered with English language at phonological level among Junior Secondary School students in Igbeti. Consequently, questionnaire and observation techniques were adopted to carry out this investigation. Two questionnaires were designed; one for the teachers and one for the students. Each questionnaire contained ten questions giving total number of twenty questions administered to ten teachers and sixty students at the four secondary schools in Igeti Olorunsogo Local Government Area in Oyo State making total number of seventy respondents to this study. Using simple percentage descriptive statistics, the questionnaires were presented in tables, analyzed and interpreted. The findings reveal extent to which Yoruba language has interfered with English language at phonological levels and some factors which are responsible for this phenomenon such as; language background of the students, lack of motivation from teachers and parents for students to articulate English words correctly, lack of language laboratory and teaching overcrowded classes. Measures that could be taken to enhance students’ improvement at phonology level of English language are also suggested. The students’ age selected for this study ranged between 11-17 years. The participants were those who have not written the Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination and they were randomly selected across diverse religious existing in Igbeti.
