THE COMMUNICATIVE RELEVANCE OF SLANG AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA

ABSTRACT

This research was carried out to know the communicative relevance of slang among undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The highlights of this study include varieties of language, how they relate to one another and to slang, types of slang, functions of slang, and speech community of slang users. The study derived its theoretical framework from Giles Communication Accommodation theory. The survey research design was used in the research. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit responses from the studied population. These were collected and analysed. The result indicated that slang is spoken by almost every student in UNIZIK. The result also indicated that slang positively affects the students communicative competence as they use it to adapt to informal circumstances when there is need for it. Also, the researcher found out that slang creates new words or increases the students choice of words to fill particular communication needs.

Table of Contents

Title Page i

Approval Page ii

Certification iii

Acknowledgements iv

Dedication v

Abstract vi

Table of Contents vii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem 6

1.3 Purpose of the Study 6

1.4 Scope of the Study 6

1.5 Significance of the Study 6

1.6 Research Questions 7

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED SCHOLARSHIP

2.1 Conceptual Framework 8

2.1.1 Nature and Functions of Language 8

2.1.2 Defining Slang 11

2.1.3 Origin of Slang 20

2.1.4 Types of Slang 21

2.1.5 Functions of Slang 22

2.1.6 Communication and Communicative Competence 24

2.2 Theoretical Framework 27

2.3 Empirical Studies 30

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD

3.1 Introduction 34

3.2 Research Design 34

3.3 Population of the Study 34

3.4 Sample and Sampling Technique 34

3.5 Research Instrument 34

3.6 Administration of Instrument Used for the Study 35

3.7 Method of Data Analysis 35

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Data Analysis 36

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

5.1 Observations 50

5.2 Recommendations 53

5.3 Suggestions for Further Research 54

5.4 Conclusion 54

Works Cited 56

Appendix 60