NIGERIA LANGUAGE POLICY AND LANGUAGE USE ON SOCIAL MEDIA AMONG STUDENTS

ABSTRACT

This study focused on the Nigeria Language Policy and Language use on Social Media among students. The study adopted the descriptive survey method. The sample size consisted of 100 respondents from different departments of the University of Benin. The instrument used for this research work was the ‘Questionnaire’. Data was analyzed using the frequency table count. Findings showed that majority of the students make use of the Social Media text language (lol, brb, 2dae and so on).A great number of students feel and agreed that the effect of social media language in their academic performance is more negative than positive to them.

The Nigeria Language Policy refers to the deliberate attempt by a government to adopts a state apparatus in other to establish officially the coexistence of Languages, their development and the way they are allocated functions within the state in order to meet National priorities.

Nigeria has a very complex language of about 400 indigenous languages, but only 3 of them are officially recognized — Hausa, Igbo and Yourba as Nigeria’s major languages. It was recommended that lecturers should create a writing policies that abolish such errors that arise from such interference, this will compel students to create a balance and set parameters between social networking and academic activities.