Pronunciation And Intonation Of English Newscasters As A Veritable Tool For Effective News And Programme

The study that examines the pronunciation and intonation of English newscasters as a veritable tool for effective news and programme with a case study of Kwara State University, Malete staff. There is doubt about the fact that reporters, announcers newscasters and presenters are media representatives that have contact with the media audience often therefore, they must be good ambassadors by having what it takes such as good looking, knowledgeable, good pronunciation, quality intonation and other good qualities that stand out that will enables audience turn or stay turn to such television and radio station otherwise absent of those quality can mar the stations reputation. The study was anchored on the Uses and Gratifications Theory and Source Credibility Theory the research also used survey research method coupled with 100 copies of questionnaires that were administered to respondents in Kwara State University, Malete who were purposively drawn from which 90 copies were correctly filled and analysed using frequency and percentage table.

Findings show that respondents sometimes notice some reporters, announcers, presenters and newscasters in Nigeria with poor pronunciation and intonatio especially among the local and state channels with few cases at the national and at rare cases at the international stations. It is also find out that poor pronunciation and intonation of newscaster/presenter either made people dislikes the presenter, hate the station or lower the integrity of the station generally. It is recommended that media outfits should recruit qualify staff especially as reporter, presenters, announcers and newscasters while training and retraining be organised by the media organisation for their staff on a regular basis.

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

The dominant role of the English language in many countries across the world has justified its status as the world"s most common lingua franca (Crystal, 2003; Dewey, 2007; Larsen-Freeman & Anderson, 2011). This role includes: language of international communication, cooperation and integration, bilateral and multilateral agreement in summits and conferences (Fromkin, Rodman & Hyams, 2011). The widespread use of the English language across the globe can be classified according to the "three circles model of world English" as follows: Inner Circle, Outer Circle and Expanding Circle (Kachru, 1982). The inner circle is where the language is being used by a quarter of the world population as a first language (Crystal, 2003). The outer circle is where the English language is used as a second language or foreign language. This is in countries like: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Jamaica. In the expanding circle, English is used for special purposes such as countries like France, Germany, Italy, Egypt and Libya (Kachru & Smith, 2008).

In addition, although the English spoken in the Outer and Expanding Circles derived their models from either British or American English, they are markedly different from the Inner Circle at the phonological, lexical and grammatical levels. Therefore, the focus of the present study is on the phonology of English in the second language environment that is the Outer Circle.

The pronunciation patterns of most of the speakers of English as a second language are characterized by regional and ethnic phonological features of their native languages which culminate in communication breakdown. For instance, the potentially English aspirated sounds /p/ /t/ /k/ at the word initial position are articulated without aspiration which make some native speakers of English to perceive them as voiced /b/ /d/ /É¡/, particularly in Malaysian English (Schneider, 2003). In Philippines, voiceless labio-dental fricative is substituted with voiceless bilabial plosive (Bautista, 2001). In Albania, the English spoken by Albanian speakers of English is different from RP English. This is because the RP English has 12 monophthong vowels while the Albanian language has only 7 vowels. English has 24 consonants while the Albania has 27 consonants. These discrepancies make them to speak the English which is markedly different from the RP English. For instance, long vowels such as /i:/ do not exist in the Albanian language which makes it difficult for them to pronounce English words with long vowels correctly. Also, they encounter problem in pronouncing the phoneme [w] as it does not exist in the Albanian language. These mispronunciations have resulted in semantic alteration and communication breakdown (Alimemaj", 2014).

Similarly, there is evidence of clusters simplification in the English spoken in China, Singapore and Western India where words like /hænd/ is rendered as [han], /f�":st/ becomes [fos] and /tend/ as [ten] (Atechi, 2006). These clusters simplifications also have an effect on the meaning of the words produced and are likely to distort the communication process.

Moreover, there is simplification of diphthongs and triphthongs and lack of distinction between long and short vowels. Stressed and unstressed syllables are uttered with the same force, while clusters are simplified in the English spoken in the second language environment (Kachru & Smith, 2008). The English spoken in Northern Cameroon is marked by regional and ethnic features. For instance, the RP diphthong /əʊ/ is reduced to monophthong /ʊ/ particularly in northern areas whereas in Ghana /l/ is used in place of /r/ where the word /prɒblɛm/ is rendered as [plɒblɛm]. The speakers of English in Cameroun and Ghana also exhibit clusters reductions where /mɒst/ is produced as [mos]. In fact, the influence of native languages on English as noted in Cameroon and Ghana has also manifested in most of the Englishes spoken in the second language environment particularly Africa (Simo Bodda, 2000). This influence has an adverse effect on the communication process.

In Nigeria, the English spoken is characterized by lack of interdental fricatives sounds /θ/ and /ð/. This is because the two sounds do not exist in most of the Nigerian languages thereby resorting to /t/ and /d/ as substitutes. This has resulted in semantic alteration of some English words. For instance, /θɔ:t/ is produced as [tot] and /�'ðə/ is rendered as [oda]. Similarly, /s/ and /z/ are also used as alternatives for /θ/ and /ð/. This substitution is also confusing because words like /θɪk/ is produced as [sɪk] and /brɛθ/ is also rendered as [brɛd]. Moreover, some of the languages also lack voiced counterpart of certain phonemes like /�'/ and /ʒ/. The voiced counterpart /ʒ/ is absent in most of the Nigerian languages hence the realization of either its voiceless /�'/ or voiced affricate /dʒ/ as alternative (Olaniyi, 2014). Additionally, the vowel trapeziums of most of the Nigerian languages do not have more than seven vowels. This makes most of the speakers of English to face difficulties in articulating certain RP vowels especially those that do not exist in their languages. Prominent amongst them are: schwa /ə/, caret /�'/ and nurse /�": / vowels. There are also lack of distinctions between long and short vowels such as /i:/ and / ɪ/, /ɔ:/ and / ɒ/, /u:/ and /ʊ/ and /æ/ and /ɑ:/. The implication of these is lack of distinction between pairs of words like /si:t/ and /sɪt/, /�'ɔ:t/ and /�'ot/, /pu:l/ and /pʊl/ and /mɑ:t�'/ and /mæt�'/ (Okoro, 2017).

Scholars like Adetugbo (1977), Bamgbose (1982, 1995), Jibril (1982, 1986), Eka (1985, 1993) and Udofot (1993, 1997, 2007) have argued that spoken Nigerian English differs significantly from the standard British English, which, of course, serves as the normative standard for Nigerian English (NE hereafter). This difference is tied to the multilingual composition of the country and the use of English as the nation"s first official language. Since English competes with well over four hundred indigenous languages spoken in Nigeria, their influence on the language has been fronted as the major factor that shapes NE phonology. The peculiarity that arises from the contact of English with the languages that are indigenous to Nigeria has resulted in a distinct variety of world English which is NE.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Previous studies on the intonation of Nigerian English, which have focused largely on general Nigerian speakers of English thereby neglecting specialist users of English like newscasters, have largely been perceptual, failing to fully account for dimensions of fundamental frequency (Fo) and other acoustic parameters. This inhibits a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of intonational curves that are only readable using acoustic programmes like Praat. Scholars like Jowitt (1991), for example, have argued that the intonation of Spoken Nigerian English is affected by certain features of the indigenous languages. Jowitt (1991) also argues that there is a widespread tendency for Nigerian speakers of English to give a high tone to a relative pronoun that introduces a relative clause. The intonation of spoken Nigerian English is said to differ systematically from British English (Jowitt, 2000; Udofot, 2002). It has been suggested that it reflects the prosodic structure of Nigerian languages in a way that stressed syllables are associated with a high tone and unstressed syllables with a low tone (Wells, 1982; Udofot, 2007). Also, Nigerian English intonation is said to tend towards the tonal structure of the speakers" native languages (Well, 1982; Gut, 2001). Gut and Milde (2002) and Udofot (2007) further suggest that words of particular grammatical categories seem to be associated with specific tones and that articles, prepositions, and conjunctions tend to have a low tone, whereas nouns, verbs and adjectives are usually produced with a high tone. Therefore, this study describes the pronunciation and intonation of English newscasters as a veritable tool for effective news and programme.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The primary objective of this study is to examine pronunciation and intonation of English newscasters as a veritable tool for effective news and programme.

Specific objectives of this study are:

To determine whether people sometimes notice some reporters, announcers, presenters and newscasters in Nigeria with poor pronunciation and intonatio especially among the local and state channels with few cases at the national and at rare cases at the international stations.

To find out that whether poor pronunciation and intonation of newscaster/presenter either made people dislikes the presenter, hate the station or lower the integrity of the station generally.

To find out whether whether poor pronunciation and intonation of newscaster/presenter can be improved.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

Do people sometimes notice some reporters, announcers, presenters and newscasters in Nigeria with poor pronunciation and intonation especially among the local and state channels with few cases at the national and at rare cases at the international stations?

Does poor pronunciation and intonation of newscaster/presenter either made people dislikes the presenter, hate the station or lower the integrity of the station generally?

Does whether poor pronunciation and intonation of newscaster/presenter can be improved?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This research is different from previous studies on pronunciation and intonation of English.

Therefore, the present study contributes in filling this research gap, particularly in pronunciation and intonation of English newscasters as a veritable tool for effective news and programme.

In addition, the phonology of broadcasters of English bulletin in Nigeria is significant. This is because it examined the speech patterns of broadcasters who are regarded as a model of standard pronunciation in Nigeria and identified their lapses in speech broadcast. This work serves as an enlightenment in order to restore the lost glory of broadcasting industry in Nigeria for which they are known. Such lapses may be the reason why educated parents and language instructors are no longer regarding the broadcasters as good model of learning standard spoken English in Nigeria. Therefore, the study is useful to International Institute of Journalism for the training of broadcasters in Nigeria, it is also beneficial to the Nigerian Radio House for in service training of broadcasters in Nigeria.

1.6 Scope of the Study

Broadly, this study focuses on pronunciation and intonation of English newscasters as a veritable tool for effective news and programme. Specifically, this study focuses on determining whether people sometimes notice some reporters, announcers, presenters and newscasters in Nigeria with poor pronunciation and intonatio especially among the local and state channels with few cases at the national and at rare cases at the international stations, finding out that whether poor pronunciation and intonation of newscaster/presenter either made people dislikes the presenter, hate the station or lower the integrity of the station generally and finding out whether whether poor pronunciation and intonation of newscaster/presenter can be improved. This study shall be delimited to Kwara State University, Malete.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents.

In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed.

More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Broadcasting Media:

The term "broadcast media" covers a wide spectrum of different communication methods such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines and any other materials supplied by the media and press.

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings on pronunciation and intonation of English newscasters as a veritable tool for effective news and programme. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

5.2 Summary of the Study

In this study, our focus was on pronunciation and intonation of English newscasters as a veritable tool for effective news and programme. The study was specifically set to determine whether people sometimes notice some reporters, announcers, presenters and newscasters in Nigeria with poor pronunciation and intonation especially among the local and state channels with few cases at the national and at rare cases at the international stations, find out whether poor pronunciation and intonation of newscaster/presenter either made people dislikes the presenter, hate the station or lower the integrity of the station generally and find out whether whether poor pronunciation and intonation of newscaster/presenter can be improved.

The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 90 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are respondents in Kwara State University, Malete.

5.3 Conclusions

In the light of the analysis carried out, the following conclusions were drawn.

Poor pronunciation and intonation of newscaster/presenter either makes people dislike the presenter, hate the station or lower the integrity of the station generally.

Poor pronunciation and intonation of newscaster/presenter can be improved.

People sometimes notice some reporters, announcers, presenters and newscasters in Nigeria with poor pronunciation and intonation especially among the local and state channels with few cases at the national and at rare cases at the international stations.

5.4 Recommendation

Based on the findings the researcher recommends that;

Having realized the importance of training and exposure to RP phonemes in achieving appropriate pronunciation for effective communication, the study recommends a number of drills and exercises that would improve the pronunciation patterns of the broadcasters. The exercises should be based on the appropriate articulation of English sounds that would expose the broadcasters to the phonetic symbols in an organized form. This would pave the way in improving their proficiency level.

Media outfits should recruit qualify staff especially as reporter, presenters, announcers and newscasters while training and retraining be organised by the media organisation for their staff on a regular basis..

Title Page

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Table of Content

List of Tables

Abstract

Chapter One:

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Objective of the Study

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Significance of the Study

1.6 Scope of the Study

1.7 Limitation of the Study

1.8 Definition of Terms

1.9 Organisations of the Study

Chapter Two:

Review of Literature

2.1 Conceptual Framework

2.2 Theoretical Framework

2.3 Empirical Review

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design

3.2 Population of the Study

3.3 Sample Size Determination

3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure

3.5 Research Instrument and Administration

3.6 Method of Data Collection

3.7 Method of Data Analysis

3.8 Validity of the Study

3.9 Reliability of the Study

3.10 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four:

Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Data Presentation

4.2 Analysis of Data

4.3 Answering Research Questions

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendation

References

APPENDIX

QUESTIONNAIRE

• Mass Communication Project Topics and Materials