THE ENGLISH WORDCLASSES AMONG THE UNDERGRADUATES OF NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

ABSTRACT

This study is aimed at exploring the problems and prospects of learning English wordclasses among the undergraduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University. The primary instruments for data collection were questionnaire, written test and oral interview. The questionnaire was distributed to sixty students of the Department of English Language and Literature and the Department of Linguistics of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Also, written test was given to ninety undergraduate students of the same departments and also, the Department of History. The statistical techniques employed for data analysis was simple percentage and the findings revealed that students are confused in deciding the class of English words. The finding also revealed that words are correctly classified when they are used in sentences. That classifying words while they are in isolation can be misleading since their meaning and classes can possibly change when viewed in contexts. It is noted that the problem of inability to decide the wordclasses can be cleared if learners acquaint themselves with the fact that some words are multiple class members. The knowledge will help them to infer the class of English words based on their context of use. The researcher thereby recommends that students should at their early years of study learn to use the wordclasses as traditionally stipulated but at the second level, paradigmatic and contextual approach should be adopted so that words would not be restricted in terms of functions, meaning and classification.

Table of Contents

Title Page:.. i

Approval Page:.. ii

Certification Page.. iii

Dedication:. iv

Acknowledgements:.. v

Table of Contents:... vi

Abstract:.. viii

Chapter One: Introduction:

1.1 Background Of The Study: 1

1.2 Statement Of The Problem:.. 7

1.3 Purpose Of The Study: 8

1.4 Significance Of The Study: 8

1.5 Scope Of The Study:.. 9

1.6 Research Questions:. 9

Chapter Two: Review of Related Scholarship 10

2.1 Conceptual Framework :.. 10

2.1.1 The Concept of Context: 28

2.1.2 Context in Relation to Word Classes:. 32

2.1.3 Context in Relation to Meaning:.. 36

2.1.4 Context in Relation to Deictic Expression.. 41

2.1.5 Context in Figuring out Ambiguity 41

2.2 Theoretical Framework:. 42

2.3 Empirical Studies: 43

2.4 Summary: 48

Chapter Three: Methodology

3.1 Design: 49

3.2 Area of Study: 49

3.3 Population of the Study:. . 49

3.4 Sample and Sampling Technique:. 49

3.5 Method of Data Collection:. 49

3.6 Instrument for Data Collection:. 50

3.7 Method of Data Analysis: 50

Chapter Four: Data Analysis and Presentation 51

Chapter Five

5.1 Discussion of Findings:. 65

5.2 Conclusion:. 67

5.3 Recommendations:.. 67

5.4 Suggestions for Further Studies: 68

Works Cited: 69

Appendix A:.. 72

Appendix B:.. 73

Appendix C.. 74

Appendix D.. 75