Meaning and Usages of Polysemy and Collocation in Nigerian English

Abstract

This work examines the existence, meaning and usage of Polysemy and Collocation in the Nigerian variety of English. English, as a cosmopolitan language, has different varieties spoken in different parts of the world. These varieties are determined based on the different environments they operate and how unique they appear in these environments. On this parameter, this work highlights the uniqueness of English spoken in the region of Nigeria under the linguistic elements of polysemy and collocation. Extracts from three (3) novels by Nigerians, namely: June 12, Devil's Pawn and Things Fall Apart, constitute data for the study. This work adopts systemic Functional Grammar as its theoretical framework: the aim is to focus on the functionality and acceptability of these nativized expressions and not their form or grammaticality. This work notes that some expressions in Nigerian English are direct transliterations from the local languages. Culture plays an important role in the legitimacy of Nigerian English. Many English words connote different meanings in the Nigerian context as opposed to an L1 Speaker of English. This work concludes the fact that polysemy and collocation co-exist as part and parcel of the concept of Nigerian English, which is a distinct variety within the world Englishes.