The “Outer” World of English Language Usage

by

Obododimma Oha

The sociolinguist Braj Kachru classifies Nigeria under the Outer Circle of English Language because the country  was one of those that received the language through colonization by the British and has other indigenous languages. Negotiation of meaning in this anglophone country requires reconciling the local semiotic system with that of English. Other countries in this category are Ghana, Kenya, India, etc. There is the hope, however, that countries in the Outer Circle can, with time, become members of the Inner Circle, which is reserved for native speakers. But is this dependent on usage and, of course, a proper educational system that deploys English as a language of instruction. Otherwise, a member of the Outer Circle could slide into the Expanding Circle where English is weaker as a foreign language. Expanding Circle member countries were not previously colonized by Britain but find it necessary to use English for their commerce, politics, etc, and mainly because English is now a big-time international player. Since they cannot displace English in this globalized world, the wisest thing is to use it for these purposes while looking out for its loss of power!

I am interested in how Nigeria of the Outer Circle manages its status and what it can become in the future. Actually, it is good to think about what the "now"could be in the future. As a teacher of English in the Outer Circle, this should be one of my concerns. Not that one is out to promote linguistic imperialism and to perpetuate it. Not that learning or teaching English in the Outer Circle does not pose its interesting stylistic challenges -- challenges not available to Inner Circle use or pattern. In fact, one does not embark on the futile venture of trying to turn Outer Circle learners to Inner Circle speakers! Fair international intelligibility and sensitivity to context are just enough. There is no regional variety or dialect of English that does not have its interesting music of speech. But I am worried when the conditions for intelligibility and sensitivity are dwindling or not given enough attention. In that case, an Outer Circle member that authorizes "anything-goes" in usage may soon become even worse than the Expanding Circle, not relocating to it!

Perhaps the term "Outer Circle" even has some hidden meanings. As an "outsider" to usage, the speaker may become an Esu Elegba, that Yoruba prankster-god, who is kept outide so that he would not embarrass the gods with his mischief. An Outer Circle status then means something like the avoidance of a leper or an ostracism or just a strategic alienation in the circle. And being "outer," in the isolation scheme, is to narrate the strangeness of the occupant.

Yet many young users of English in the Outer Circle in Nigeria do not seem to mind. It is not only that they have now made permanent the dualization situation in which they (are forced) to use standard English in the classroom but fall back to pidgin English when  "liberated" from classroom situations. Many use pidgin as a mere "shield" to disguise their incompetence in conversations with friends or in other discourses. Apart from the wire hanging from ear to ear, what you are likely to hear when you come across them is: "a de do; a dey come!" Then, loud hip-hop music! The false assumption many have is that they have escaped to a form of expression less stringent in rules, or that in pidgin, anything goes! Of course, the use of pidgin is liberating and is humorous, but are these enough reasons to abandon standard forms needed out there for a sound production and dissemination of knowledge?

Many Nigerian youths are content with being handed banners with so much stain, including banners of "sick" expression. One is not talking about the wrong assumption that we have been created English or that English is the norm. One is not talking about the laziness that prevents somebody from learning the languages used by Nigeria's neighbours -- French, Spanish (thanks to some business persons who cross the borders and try to speak these languages....); it is either English or no other language! One has to be terribly English, just the same way Nigeria's politicians have to go to Britain, Nigeria's former colonial master, to present political handouts at Chatham House and to get approval from the master. Or is it their medical treatment? Is it not the former colonial master that is trustworthy enough to carry out a diagnosis and prescribe treatment? Indeed, its linguists also prescribe treatment for Nigeria's attention to language.

I must have frightened some friends when I told them recently that in the future, maybe 1,000 years from now, when my bones must have whitened in the grave, I would like to come out once in a while to sit on my tombstone and look around to see what the world has become, especially the Outer Circle. I would like to see whether its Englishness is still there, whether some people that are mindful of time still greet "good evening" in the morning, or whether a man is still referred to as a "she" in the shithole! Then, I would quietly return to my grave and remain dead. Just to satisfy my curiosity!

It is painful to remain brutally and crudely English, what more staying alienated in usage and enjoying the embarrassment.