Affiliation:
1. American University, USA
Abstract
There is an old adage that states, “Languages have armies and dialects don't.” This articulates a common belief that those who speak an “inferior” language are often marginalized and lack political power. This chapter is an evaluation of the use of Nigerian Pidgin English and the discriminatory societal views associated with Nigerian Pidgin English users. This chapter discusses the power struggles of those who choose to speak Nigerian Pidgin English verses those who use the preferred standard, Standard English. This chapter examines how Nigerian films can propagate societal stereotypes, thus reinforcing social biases against Nigerian Pidgin English speakers who choose to use Nigerian Pidgin English in Nigeria. This evaluation is done by analyzing the conversations between Nigerian Pidgin English users and Standard English users in the Nollywood film Corporate Maid.
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