ABSTRACT
The research examined audience perception of Pidgin English usage in Broadcast Media
(study of WASOBIA TV and WASOBIA FM. It was observed that pidgin English otherwise known as broken English is
now gaining popularity in Nigeria society particularly in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja,
Aba, Onisha, Enugu, Owerri, Uyo, Edo and most of the cities in Nigeria.
Although, Pidgin English is still considered as a language of the uneducated
and there will be decline in pure English language if Pidgin English continues
to thrill in broadcast media. But today is
been used in both formal and informal
setting to include radio programme. Survey research method was used in this
study, questionnaires were administered to the selected respondents of
100 who were accidentally selected while 90 copies of questionnaires were
returned for analysis, however, the frequency and percentage method of data
analysis was used. Language planners in Nigeria should work towards improving
the status of pidgin by borrowing from the experience of Papua New Guinea and
Tanzania where Pidgin has become the official language used in parliament. Even
in Cameroon, pidgin language is very popular, though it is not an official
language. Findings show that people especially in cites, both the enlightened
the less educated enjoy pidgin programmes and offers them quick understanding
of issues debating.
