ABSTRACT

The role language plays in the context of society or the individual is also referred to by the term function.  Language is used to communicate ideas, to express attitudes, and so on. It may also be used to identify specific situations such as informality or intimacy. Language can also come as slang. While slang is a variety of speech characterized by newly coined and rapidly changing vocabulary, used by the young or by the social and professional groups for ‘in-group’ communication and thus tending to prevent understanding by the rest of the speech community, it is pertinent to know that it is also used to establish or reinforce social identity or cohesiveness within a group like that of military establishment. Hence, the study examines the semantic implications of slang and jargons used in the Nigerian military barracks. The study confirms the various items used in semantic extension of slang and jargons in the Nigerian military barracks and is able to analyse some of the items also used by the military personnel and the findings finally affirms that slang and jargons are not just carefree words but like some other words, have its own semantic implications and very relevant within the context of use (the military).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

    PAGE

Title Page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii Acknowledgements iv 

Abstract v

Table of Contents            vi

CHAPTER ONE:                INTRODUCTION                                   

1.0 Background to the Study 1

1.1 Statement of the Problem                                 3

1.2 Purpose of the Study                                           4

1.3 Research Questions 5

1.4 Significance of Study 5

1.5 Delimitation of the Study                           6

1.6 History of Nigeria Military                                         6

1.7 Operational Definition 6

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE                  

2.0 Introduction 8

2.1 Language 8

2.2 New English 12

2.3 Standard and Non Standard English 14

2.4 The English Language in Nigeria 16

2.5 Origins of Slang 24

2.6 Military Slang as a Variety of Slang 30

CHAPTER    THREE:   RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction 34

3.1 Research Designs 34

3.2 Research Instruments 34

3.3 Sample and Sampling Technique 34

3.4 Population 35

3.5 Validity of Instrument 35

3.6 Reliability of the Instrument 35

3.7 Method of Data Collection 35

3.8 Method of Data Analysis 36

CHAPTER FOUR:    DATA ANALYSIS

4.0 Introduction 37

4.1 Nigerian Military Slang, Meaning and Usage 37

4.2 Nigerian Military Jargons, Meaning and Usage 43

4.3 Nigerian Military Official Terms, Meaning and Usage 46

CHAPTER   FIVE:  SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECONMENDATIONS 

5.0 Summary 48

5.1 Conclusion 49

5.2 Implication of the Study 50

5.3 Recommendations 50

5.4 Limitations of the Study 51

5.5 Suggestion for Further Studies 51

Bibliography