LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 13 : 7 July 2013
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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A Study on Language Codes and Sociolinguistic Variables in
Wole Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel

Febisola Olowolayemo Bright, M.A.

Abstract

Observation and previous research works have shown that in any social interaction or institution, there are variations in the language codes used by individuals. In a bid to identify the reasons for these variations, this paper conducts a study on the language codes and socio-linguistic variables present in Wole Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel. To study the language codes and sociolinguistic variables present in Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel, the conversation/utterances of some of the characters in the play were selected for analysis in order to check for the presence of these features using insights from Basil Bernstein’s Deficit Hypothesis. In addition to this, the analyses involve a consideration of sociolinguistic variables of sex/gender, age, social class, education, religion and ethnicity. The analyses reveal that the elaborated and restricted codes are the major language codes used in the play and that the afore- mentioned sociolinguistic variables are responsible for the variation noticed in the characters’ language choices. It is believed that this study will aid further sociolinguistic studies.

Keywords:sociolinguistic variables, language codes, Deficit Hypothesis, elaborated code, restricted code.

1. Introduction

Language is a social institution basic and central to all human interactions. As observed by Armour-Thomas, & Gopaul-Nicol (1998), language is a social institution that involves shaping the society at large, or in particular the ‘cultural niches’ in which it plays an important role. The discussion of language codes and sociolinguistic variables implies that there are certain factors that divide the society into different classes and influence individuals’ choice of language or linguistic codes. Not only that, A study of language codes and sociolinguistic variables is an indication of the fact that every society has linguistic codes acceptable for communication and interaction at any point in time and that language by its nature is totally a social phenomenon. This has led to the establishment of the fact that there is variation in the use of language among users in the same society and that language fulfils different functions in social institutions and the organisation of societies. These observable features have been reflected in numerous literary texts. These factors gave the motivation to conduct a sociolinguistic study on the language code and socio-linguistic variables present in Wole Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Febisola Olowolayemo Bright, M.A.
Department of English
College of Education
P.M.B 044
Azare
Bauchi-State
Nigeria
olowolayemofebisola4@gmail.com
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