CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
Akindele and Adegbite (2005) describe
language as a system of sound or vocal symbols by which human
communicate experience. Language plays an important role in human
undertakings, it is also the association of sounds with thought, concept
or images in the mind and also the ability to produce and interpret
sound in recurrent pattern.
Since there is no limitation to the
numbers of languages that exist in a community, the phenomenon of code
switching is bound to occur which gives the language users of the speech
community, the abilityto alternate between the available languages in
their community. Muysken(2001:1) refers to code switching as the rapid
succession of several languages in a single speech event. This
definition shows that for a speaker to code switch, “several
languages”must be involved which ranges from at least two languages and
above, therefore, it takes a bilingual to alternate among the available
languages in a speech community, while Weinreich(1953) refers to a
bilingual people as those individuals that switch from one language to
the other according to the appropriate changes in speech situation.
A somewhat related concept to code
switching as a phenomenon in sociolinguistics is ‘code mixing’,
Bentahila and Davies (1983) stress the importance of the relationship
between switching and mixing of codes in a speech community by stating
that the act of choosing one code rather than the other must be
distinguished from the act of mixing the two codes together to produce
something which might itself be called ‘a third code’, as a result of
this, “code switching is the use of two languages within a single
conversation, exchange or utterance”. With the relationship that exist
between both mixing and switching of codes, it can be said that code
mixing is the process of mixing elements from two languages in one
utterance while code switching is the product of language mix.
The explanation of both phenomena of
code switching and code mixing as they occur in conversation
necessitates this study in exploring the manifestation of switching of
codes in song lyrics with a focus on Fuji music from the selected tracks
of Sikiru Ayinde Barrister. In so doing, this research is motivated by
my keen curiosity to unearth the motivations, patterns and function of
language alternation in a bilingual community with a close attention on
the selected tracks of Fuji music, thereby, going beyond the previous
studies on the investigation of switching in conversations.
1.2 Music in Nigeria
Music in Nigeria evolves through various
trends and complexities, which in contemporary terms have continued to
be driven by the emergence of sophisticated musical instruments in the
music world.
As noted by Sam Akpabot (1986) a
musician and a critic, describes Nigerian music as a deeply functional
exercise that is influenced by political, religious, sociological,
anthropological, economic and educational fronts, also that music
derives its socio-cultural power from the society in order to make any
progress in the future.
Also, traditional music in Nigeria or
other parts of the world can also function in the social structure which
is based on order of religious ritual expression of social organisation
and recreation. This simply means that the kind of music by individual
is a reflection of his/her religious belief, the environment he/she
belongs and what the musician tends to achieve with the song(which in
most ways, serve as recreation purpose
The music in Nigeria is made up of
different kinds of folk and popular music, the folk much derives its
influence from the ethnic background of the musician in the sense that
many of the groups have their own instrument which hitherto transforms
into the various types of their music and the techniques. The earliest
style of music in Nigeria is traced to the 1920s with the prevalence of
palm wine and highlife styles of music. But after the World War II,
Nigeria music is reported to have incorporated new techniques and
instrument which in turn produced new set of artist with different sense
and styles of music. Artiste like I.K Dairo incorporated genres of
music like funk, soul, rock n' roll into juju. Popular music in Nigeria
became very popular on the top of Nigerian charts in the 1960s.
At the end of the decade was when other
music styles like Yo-pop, gospel, raggae, Fuji were introduced while
juju was pushed a little bit out of the way, juju alongside fuji music
was still popular during the 90s. Other typical genres of music in
Nigeria include sakara music which is distinguished by the instrument
which makes it a bed time serenade for its lovers. Another genre of
music of Yoruba tradition is 'Apala' music by Haruna Ishola which is
known to be the greatest exponent of Apala that is characterised by the
themes of deep philosophical significance accompanied with the theme of
praise that dominates the Yoruba musical genres. Other genres of music
of Yoruba traditions are waka, which often features female singers with
the likes of Batili Alake and Salawa Abeni as its exponent. And lastly,
fuji music exists according to Wikipedia online (2014) "... arose from
the improvisation of Ajisari/were music tradition, which is a kind of
music performed to wake Muslims before dawn during the Ramadan fasting
season."
1.2.1 Fuji Music
Fuji is a popular Nigeria music genre,
it arose from the improvisation of Ajisari/were music tradition,
Wikipedia (2014). Ajisari/were music traditionally, was an Islamictype
ofmusic played by the Muslim kids in Nigeria, these songs are meant to
wake the muslim faithfuls for the mid-night meal that precedes the
morning of Ramadan. This musical genre was made popular by Alhaji Dauda
Epo akara, the deceased Ibadan-based awurebe founder and Ganiyu Kuti
a.k.a Gani Irefin, (Akpan, 2006).
The late 1960s saw the appearance of the
first fuji bands. Fuji was named after “mount fuji” in Japan, purely
for the sound of the word according to Sikiru (1965). Fuji was a
synthesis of apala with the ornament free rhythm vocals of ajisari
devotional musicians and was accompanied by sakara and tambourine drum
and Hauwaii guitar.
The first famous entertainers of fuji
music are Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and Ayinla
Kollington.Thefujicareer of Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister began in the
early 1970s with the Golden fuji group, although, he had sung Muslim
songs since he was ten years old. He first changed his group’s name to
Fuji London when he came back from London trip. Sikiru Ayinde
Barrrister’s contending artiste was Ayinla Kollington, he is known for
fast rhythm and dance-able class of fuji, he also recorded hit albums in
the 80s. Fuji grew steadily between the 1960s, and 70s, becoming
closely associated with Islam in the process. However, Ebenezer Obey
once described juju as “mambo” with guitar.
Between 1970 and throughout the 1980s,
other fuji musicians include Sikiru Adio, Suara Alhaji, Student Fuji,
Wasiu Ayinde Barrister (later changed his name to Wasiu Ayinde
Marshall), Rasheed Ayinde, Wasiu Alabi , Saheed Osupa etc.
Till today, fuji music has continued to
attract younger generation, reason being that the other genres of music
such as hip hop have been blended into it, while the use of two or more
languages by these musicians has increased their fan base across the
globe.
1.3 Aim and Objectives
The aim of this study is to analyse the technique of code switching in selected songs ofSikiru Ayinde Barrister
In view of the aim above, certain objectives are drawn for the research, these are:
i. To identify the instances of code switching in the selected songs;
ii. To analyse and describe the patterns and of code switching in the selected songs; and
iii To propose the purposes/functions of code switching in the selected songs.
1.4 Research problems
There have been instances of code
switching in speeches and conversations which have been investigated
among scholars. The investigation of this manifestation mostly in
speeches and conversations are as a result of an individual having more
than one language in his/her language repertoire which in turn affects
the use of language by means of alternating between those languages.
However, little has been done in
exploring this phenomenon in Nigerian music, most especially, the local
music, hence, this research will be used to account for the different
techniques, patterns and functions of code switching in fuji music.
1.5 Scopeof Study
This research was carried out by
examining the various techniques patterns, purpose and functions of code
switching in the selected tracks of Sikiru Ayinde Barrister songs.He
produced one hundred and twenty four songs spanning across five decades,
1960-2000. Although he recorded some live performances in the late
1960s, but there is no proper record in place to show for them,
therefore, our research would be carried out on the recorded/studio
songs from the available ones.
Although Sikiru Ayinde Barrister mixed
some elements of Arabic language in some of these selected songs, but
this research is restricted to the analysis of code switching of English
language/pidgin and Yoruba due to the semblance in structures of these
languages. Moreso, this restriction, however, is dictated by the need to
attempt a reasonable depth of analysis of the data for the study within
the available time. The relevant literatures that are available for
this finding, coupled with the conclusions that are drawn from the
investigation can represent the findings and conclusion on the entire
fuji music in Nigeria.
1.6 Contribution to Knowledge
By virtue of the data selected for this
study, the findings provide some of the information that are required
for code switching in songs. This study, considering the depth of
analysis of the language alternation, gives a better understanding on
how fujimusicians code switch in songs.
And lastly, this study gives an insight
into the various purposes and functions of code switching in Fuji music
and what the musicians tend to achieve with it.
1.7 Theoretical Framework
This work is in line with the related
researches on the investigation of language use in the various genres of
music by scholars in both Nigeria and abroad. Omoniyi (2006&2009)
analysed the phenomenon of code switching in Nigeria hip hop, while in
the same vein, Babalola and Taiwo, (2009) in their analysis of code
switching in selected Nigeria hip hop music, concluded that the
phenomenon of code switching in the hip hop songs reflects the cultural
diversity and multilingual nature of the settings in which they are
produced, their conclusion, nonetheless, agrees with Benthahila and
Davies (2002) that the employment of code switching serves as the dual
purpose of globalisation and localisation of the music. Hence, this
study is tailored towards the premises and conclusion of the researches
by the above scholars by examining the phenomenon of code switching in
the selected songs.
Based on the findings of those scholars
above, it is clearly shown that the pertinence of language and identity
cannot in any way be overemphasized, in that the alternation of
languages by bilinguals in music is a reflection of the musicians
cultural background coupled with the cultural values and traditions with
which the musicians is projecting. Hence, code switching in songs can
be described as the conscious alternation of languages by the musicians
with the aim of projecting one's tradition through the reflection of
identity. Also, code switching in songs can be described as the
musicians’ effort at reaching out to the diverse audience which may not
be knowledgeable in the musician's tongue, but could comprehend a bit of
the message through the use of elements in other languages. 'Code
switching' being the key term used in this research, is a prominent
factor to be considered by musicians in the composure of their songs,
which helps them(musicians) gain audience/listeners more than expected.
Therefore, this study will basically explore the phenomenon of code
switching in the twenty four selected tracks of Sikiru Ayinde Barrister,
by approaching it from a sociolinguistic perspective with a close
attention to the language alternation patterns and forms and functions.