Contrasting English Phonology and Nigerian English Phonology

Abstract

The thrust of this work is the fact that phonology plays a vital role in language and communication both in local/native, national and international languages. It takes a look at the definition of phonology, the British English and Nigerian English Phonology at the segmental level because these two varieties of English belong to different linguistic sub–groups with distinct phonemic possibilities in their use of phonological processes or systems. It also considers vowels of English phonology, vowels of Nigerian phonology (monophthongs and diphthongs),
consonants (place and manner of articulation), consonant clusters or the sound systems of the two languages. The similarities and dissimilarities of sounds in the two languages, problematic phonetic symbols/sounds, voiced consonants, voiceless consonants and plosive consonants in the two varieties are taken into consideration. Techniques and methodologies for teaching phonology provide keys as teachers. The discussion on this study includes the functions of the organs of speech like velum, vocal cords, the lungs, the teeth, the palate, the larynx and pharynx which make communication easier in humans. It concludes that the Federal Government through the ETF/TETFUND should provide well equipped
language laboratories to all private, state owned and Federal tertiary institutions and Teachers of English, especially teachers of phonetics/phonology should be given adequate training in handling equipment/operation of the language laboratory.