ABSTRACT
This paper sets out to examine the phonological substitutions in the Ijaw-educated speakers of English.The phonological interference in the spoken English performance of the Ijaw educated speakers of English It emphasizes that the level of interference is not just a result of the systemic differences, but also, a result of the interlanguage factors such as the level of the individual's interaction in and with the first language, his level of education and access to oral English lessons while in school. The research reveals some troublesome contrasts between the two languages. The three factors that determine the level of substitution are the level of immersion of the individual in the native language; the level of the individual's education; and the individual's oral English education exposure. As a researcher, we have to pay particular attention to the differences in the phonological systems of the first language (L1) and the second language (L2) which can cause interference.
English, Ijaw, etc are three languages that are distinct one from another. English is the language of the former colonial master of Nigeria and is from far away Europe. On the other hand, Ijaw and some others are languages spoken in the same geographic area. Even though the latter are from the same geographical area, as far as they do not have identical phonological systems, their mode of articulating the English language differs.Is it that the English language is too difficult and complex? Or, are there certain phenomena that are responsible for it? It is to get answers to these salient questions that this work is centered on a contrastive study of English, and Ijaw languages, with special attention on their Consonantal substitution, interlanguage, and substitution in syntax.
KEYWORDS: Consonants, Interlanguage, Syntax, Substitution, immersion.
