SOME UNIQUE PHONOLOGICAL FEATURES OF SPOKEN URHOBO ENGLISH

Researchers of Nigerian English (NE) phonology have claimed that NE segmental features are widespread and occur according to largely predictable patterns. However, existing data in Urhobo English (UE) show that such claim of definability of NE as a system at the segmental level is overgeneralisation, given some attested unique phonological features of UE such as: (1) [ʒ]-pronunciation (2) type-[o] /l/-vocalisation. (3) NC-cluster simplification. (4) [ɛ]-/pronunciation in nurse vowel suggested by <er>/<ear> spelling, (5) Word final [ɛ:]-pronunciation of square vowel suggested by <are>/<air> spelling, and (6) [iɛ]-pronunciation of near vowel. A descriptive analysis of the attested unique patterns shows that the above-mentioned features are properties of UE accent lacking in NE accent which is an amalgam of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba English accents. In view of these existing prominent, peculiar regional/ethnic phonological markers, this paper, whose principal objective is to reveal the apparent overgeneralisation of NE segmental features, concludes by recommending that rigorous research studies should be carried out on the different ethnic/regional dialects of NE, especially the ones with sizeable population of native speakers such as Fula, Edo, Izon, Efik/Ibibio, Tiv, Nupe, Ika, Ukwuani, Isoko, Ikwerre, among others in order to: (1) fully identify/establish the degree of convergence and divergence of features. (2) Stem overgeneralisation of phonological features, and (3) arrive at definitive, systematic features that truly reflect standard/popular NE accent.