Pragmatics and effective communication in English: A study of selected Nigerian university undergraduates

This study examines Pragmatics and effective communication in English among selected Nigerian university undergraduates assuming a background of problems associated with meaning interpretation and effective communication among students through the application of pragmatic theories. Sample speeches and expressions of randomly selected one hundred and twenty undergraduates of various linguistic and cultural backgrounds from the Universities of Calabar, Port Harcourt and Uyo were examined to ascertain the clarity of their expressions in English. Focus group discussion/interview, participation observation technique and surreptitious methods of data collection were employed. The speeches of these subjects were analyzed using the Gricean maxims/cooperative principles, speech acts and politeness principles to determine the extent of the appropriateness and inappropriateness of their communication in English and also to determine the extent of their pragmatic/communicative ability. It was observed that the pragmatic/communicative ability of Nigerian university undergraduates is inadequate and as a result, they can hardly communicate effectively in English. This therefore signals the need to codify Standard Nigerian English and enforce its usage in the Nigerian universities. It is recommended that pragmatics be included in the use of English curriculum of Nigerian universities, since its knowledge facilitates effective communication in English.