A Semantic Study of Alms Begging in Nigerian English Usage: A Case Study of Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State
Keywords:
Societal stigma, motor park, begging, alms, Nigerian youthsAbstract
This paper evaluated the semantics of alms begging in Nigerian English with the aim of examining the strategies adopted by some jobless Nigerian youths when begging for alms. The data were gathered through on the spot recording of scenes of begging at ceremonies, and major traffic lanes and other walks of life such as political gatherings, police check points, emblem/ticket check points, market, Motor Park, bar, etcetera. The analysis of the data was done with insight from Chomsky's 1986 Internalized Semantics Theory. Findings show that some Nigerian beggars adopt some strategies when begging for alms by using some euphemistic expressions that are novel and peculiar to Nigeria and understood by most Nigerian speakers of English language. They use these expressions in order to avoid societal stigma that comes with begging. The paper proposes that since these expressions are meaningful to Nigerians, they should thereby be recognized as a significant contribution to the ongoing studies in Nigerian English.
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