CODE SWITCHING AND LANGUAGE HYBRIDITY IN NIGERIAN ENGLISH DISCOURSE

Abstract

This study examined code switching and language hybridity in Nigerian English discourse. The objectives were to identify dominant structural patterns, motivations, influence of social variables on code switching and language hybridity in Nigerian English discourse. Markedness Model and Translanguaging Theory were adopted. Descriptive survey design was used. Population was bilingual speakers in South-East Nigeria and 200 respondents were selected through stratified random sampling. Questionnaire was instrument for data collection and data were analyzed using Mean, Standard Deviation and hypotheses tested with Chi-square at 0.05 level of significance. Decision rule was: reject H0 if X² cal is greater than X² tab or probability less than 0.05. Results showed dominant patterns were tag switching abi, shebi (M=3.55) and intra-sentential switching (M=3.42) with morphological hybrids like _japa-fy_. Motivations were identity marking (M=3.61) and humour, not lack of competence (M=1.89). Chi-square revealed significant association between age and hybridity X²=18.42, p=0.000, digital exposure X²=24.31, p=0.000 and domain X²=32.15, p=0.000, while education had no significant association X²=5.12, p=0.275. The study concluded hybridity is youth-driven, digitally amplified, domain-sensitive translanguaging strategy. It recommended that the National Policy on Education should recognize translanguaging as a pedagogical resource, allowing teachers to strategically use code switching for explanation and classroom management rather than banning it outright.