NIGERIAN ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION PATTERNS: A PHONOLOGICAL OVERVIEW

Abstract

English in Nigeria functions predominantly as a second language, introduced during colonial rule and propagated through formal education. This has given rise to Nigerian English (NE), a nativized variety influenced by indigenous languages, particularly evident in its phonological characteristics. This paper focuses on the suprasegmental features of NE—specifically stress and intonation—which significantly affect meaning and fluency in speech. While vowels and consonants serve as the core segments of spoken language, suprasegmental elements such as stress, pitch, and intonation govern its rhythm and flow. The study explores how educated Nigerian speakers assign stress and manipulate intonation, revealing the influence of their first languages on English speech patterns. It also highlights persistent challenges in mastering proper stress placement and pitch variation, which often hinder native-like fluency. These difficulties are attributed to the late acquisition of English and its status as a non-native language for most Nigerians. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for targeted phonological instruction focusing on suprasegmental features to enhance spoken English proficiency in Nigeria