CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Language is man’s greatest asset and it is very fundamental to his self-fulfillment. It is the vehicle through which ideas, feelings, thoughts, information, skills, knowledge and culture are transmitted. This makes communication, interaction and learning very possible among people. Language plays an important role in teaching and learning. It is man’s exclusive means of communication using signs and symbols to express emotions and wills. Ali (2000) defines language as “… a means of communication of ideas, facts, figures and thoughts. Consequently, it plays a very vital role in all aspects of human development”. According to Trager in Mgbodile (1999), language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols by means of which the member of a total culture communicate. Also, other linguists like Brooks and Naldman as quoted in Huxley and Ingram in Azikiwe (1998), view language as a learned systematic, symbolic, vocal behaviour, and a culturally acquired and exclusive mark of man. Nwadike (1999) states that without language of its own, a nation becomes merged and lost in the foreign group whose language it is forced to speak. A nation identifies itself and ensures its perpetuation. It is man’s greatest asset and it is very fundamental to his self-fulfillment.

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