This research investigates the perceptions of American English influences, or Americanisms, within Nigerian English, a variety that has evolved through historical, social, and cultural interactions. The significance of this study lies in addressing a notable gap in sociolinguistic literature regarding how speakers of Nigerian English perceive these Americanisms. While prior research has focused on the linguistic features of Nigerian English, there has been insufficient exploration of speaker attitudes toward these American influences, which are increasingly prevalent in media, education, and everyday communication.

To explore these perceptions, we employed a mixed-methods approach that combined quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. A sample of 200 participants from diverse socio-economic backgrounds across Nigeria provided insights into their attitudes toward Americanisms. Participants rated the acceptability and perceived appropriateness of various Americanisms in Nigerian English on a Likert scale. Additionally, in-depth interviews with a subset of 30 respondents allowed for a nuanced understanding of the motivations behind their attitudes. This dual approach not only quantifies perceptions but also captures the complexities of speaker attitudes, making our methodology both rigorous and comprehensive.

The findings reveal a complex landscape of attitudes toward Americanisms in Nigerian English. Approximately 65% of participants expressed a positive perception of Americanisms, viewing them as modern and indicative of global connectivity. However, 35% of respondents exhibited resistance, associating these terms with cultural imperialism and a potential erosion of local identity. Notably, younger speakers (ages 18-30) were significantly more likely to embrace Americanisms compared to older generations, with a 40% higher acceptance rate among the youth. This generational divide highlights the evolving linguistic landscape and the influence of globalization on language use in Nigeria.

The broader implications of these findings extend to fields such as language technology, machine translation, and localization. Understanding speaker perceptions of Americanisms can inform the development of more culturally sensitive NLP models and language resources that reflect the linguistic realities of Nigerian English. Moreover, insights into the acceptance and resistance toward Americanisms can guide localization strategies for educational materials and media content, ensuring they resonate with local audiences while respecting linguistic diversity. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamic interplay between language, identity, and globalization in post-colonial contexts.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com