Deconstructing the Menace: Use of Fake Accent on Private Radio Stations in Nigeria

Abstract

Media scholars, veteran broadcasters and the public have been expressing divergent concerns over the proliferation of fake accent on the Nigerian media waves, particularly on private radio stations. This phenomenon has been tagged a menace, creating false assimilations and strains on the semantic inclines of listeners particularly middle aged Nigerians and the older generation. This paper adopts the Uses and Gratification Theory to discuss the use of fake accent by analysing the presentation styles of On Air Personalities on Cool FM and Soundcity Radio Stations in the country. These Radio stations record very high number of listenership and findings revealed that many radio presenters equate the radio format of their stations to the reason they adopt the use of fake accent and that the ability to speak with a foreign accent is seen as a major criterion for getting a media job in Nigeria. The paper stresses the importance of speaking right through the adoption of features of connected speech as presented by notable media organizations and certified institutions saddled with the responsibility of teaching and training non-native speakers of the English Language. It concludes by encouraging media professionals to appreciate the uniqueness of the Nigerian media and cultural terrain.