Language of Communication among University Students in Nigeria: A Study on Slangy Expressions in Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this work was to investigate the uniqueness of slang, the creativity therein and its use as a language of communication among the students of Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria. Oral interviews and informal interactions were used to elicit information from 3000 students who gave consent and were randomly selected from a pool of students after the objective of the study was explained. Key Person Interview (KPI) was used to verify/supplement the information obtained from the oral and informal interactions. The results show that the students used different slangy expressions and terms as means of communication. Also, the slang types differed from those used in other institutions and their coinage reflected creativity among students and was sex-dependent with usage more among males than females. The study revealed that slangy expression was used as an effective medium of communication to enhance group identity and solidarity among students of the Federal University of Technology Owerri.