SLANGY EXPRESSIONS AMONG YOUTHS IN SELECTED MOTOR PARKS IN NIGERIA AND CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Abstract

Slangy expressions, a means of communication among groups of people in casual and informal settings, are commonly deployed by youths in motor parks. Previous studies on slangy expressions have focused either on Anglophone or Francophone countries, with little attention paid to a comparative study of slang in the two contexts, especially in motor parks. This study was, therefore, designed to examine slangy expressions among youths in Badagry (Nigeria) and Adjamé (Côte d’Ivoire) motor parks, with a view to establishing their forms and functions. Dell Hymes’ Ethnography of Communication and Giles Howard’s Communication and Accommodation theories were adopted as the framework, while the survey design was used. Two motor parks (Badagry –Seme Border and Adjamé – Nouvelle Gare) were purposively selected because of their popularity and availability of respondents. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 purposively selected youths (Seme Border – 12 and Nouvelle Gare – 10) because of their knowledgeability, availability and suitability. Key informant interviews were conducted with three motor park chairmen – one in Seme Border and two in Nouvelle Gare. Data were subjected to sociolinguistic analysis. The slangy expressions used in the two parks were categorised into three tone marks: lexical borrowing, coded expression and code switching. Lexical borrowing was exemplified in irúnmọlẹ̀ to nje fried rice; Bàbá I hail o; Cê como; and On dit qué. Instances of borrowed expressions were fried rice (English – Yoruba), I hail o (Pidgin – Yoruba), Cê como (French – Baoulé) and On dit qué (French – Baoulé). The examples showed that lexical borrowing in Seme Border motor park was mostly from English to Yoruba, while in Nouvelle Gare, it was mostly from French to Baoulé. The borrowed expressions were used for greeting respected personalities in the two motor parks. Coded expressions were elucidated in Alayé Gbánkó (Mr. Man, stay alert), Fo bléblé mon gars (Be careful my guy), Magọ o (Don’t be sluggish), Il n’y a pas des balles (The policemen are around). These coded expressions were used to issue warning. Code switching was manifested in Fún mi ní fígò (Give me N500) and Le gars est digba (The man is strong). Fún mi ní (Give me) is a Yoruba expression, while fígò (personality) is the name of a Portuguese footballer. Fún mi ní fígò is the combination of both Yoruba and Portuguese. Le gars est (The man is) is a French expression, while digba (strong) belongs to Baoulé language. Le gars est digba is the combination of both French and Baoulé. The codemixed expressions were used to indicate exchange of money and expression of confidence among the youths in both parks. Slangy expressions are distinctively used in both Seme Border (Badagry) and Nouvelle Gare (Adjamé) motor parks for various communicative functions among youths in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. And it also contribute to the use of salutation, marketing, commercial advertisement, music, education and in socio-cultural context in our society.