THE MISUSE OF THE ENGLISH ARTICLES IN SELECTED NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER

ABSTRACT

The English article system is a complex system that is nevertheless indispensable for users of English. The articles perform several important functions and aid greatly in the art of communication. Despite this indisputable importance of the English articles, Nigerian newspapers misuse them to a great degree. It is a fact that newspapers are extremely useful learning tools to students and the general public. However, Nigerian newspapers fail to live up to the high standard expected of them. In spite of this aberration, studies on the misuse of the English articles by Nigerian newspapers have been particularly rare. The aim of this is to assess the misuse of the English articles by Nigerian newspapers. The data were collected from Newspapers, Umuahia, which represents other media houses all over the country. Each of the above English articles was selected and surveyed on a daily basis for a period of three weeks and was finally used for the study. The data used were analysed using a simple percentage calculations, while a simple randomisation method was adopted in collecting the data. From the findings, it was believed that those grammatical errors were as a result of the low level of education of the media workers, especially the journalists and the incomplete mastery of the English language among the broadcasting corporation bodies like the news casters or reporters which has a negative impact on the readers because readers rely on word meanings of these news as absolutely correct. However, to remedy these ugly situations that have befallen the media houses here in Nigeria, the researcher recommended that broadcasting authorities should employ only well-qualified language experts that are highly proficient in the English language to serve as editors who will competently proofread the news lines before they are broadcast.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS

Abstract

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Purpose of the study

1.4 Research Questions  

1.5 The Scope and Limitations of the Study

1.6 Significance of the Study

1.7 Organization of the study

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Review of Related Literature

2.3Summary    

CHAPTER THREE: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Theoretical Framework  

3.2 Research Methodology   

3.2.1 Area of the Study

3.2.2 Population of the Study

3.2.3  Method of Data Collection  

3.2.4  Method of Data Analysis  

CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS OF GRAMMATICAL ERRORS IN THE ENGLISH ARTICLES

4.1 Introduction

4.2. Presentation of Findings

4.3.Grammatical Errors in the Articles Studied

4.4. Summary of Findings

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY

5.1 Summary of the Major Findings

5.2 Conclusion   

5.3 Recommendations  

Works Cited