Preliminary Pages

Abstract

Editorial
Dear esteemed colleague and reader, it is my pleasure to inform you about the publication of Volume 26.2 (December 2023) edition of the Journal of Linguistic Association of Nigeria (JOLAN). This issue brings together edge-cutting research in West African languages like Akan and Igbo, in addition to translation and literary studies. This edition aims to demonstrate how linguistic insights are practically applied across a wide spectrum of intellectual concerns. There are six articles and a book review in this volume. Isaac Nyarkoh and John Odoom investigate ‘Phonological processes in the non-native phonology of Akan’ which examines how other language speakers in Ghana, example Ewe handle Akan L2 phonology. Taking a user-based perspective and relying on the perceptual assimilation model, the authors investigate some phonological simplification processes such as vowel raising, vowel lowering, anteriorization and de-stridentization as they are employed by non-native Akan speakers. The paper concludes that due to the imbalance in the phonological inventories of Akan and Ewe, there is replacement of sounds which facilitates some level of proficiency in non-native acquisition of Akan.

Nwachukwu’s paper emphasises the role of process studies in translation given that the art of translation is concerned with target texts. The article highlights the role of translation process research from a behaviourial, cognitive and experimental paradigm which sees how the source text is processed and working with a screen to produce the target text. The author concludes that this aspect of translation studies has received little attention in translation scholarship in Nigeria and should be focused to derive immense benefits from it. It further highlights how the field could be a useful tool in other areas of applied linguistics such as text editing and reading comprehension.

Peter Agwu’s article interrogates the theme of imperfection in contemporary motherhood in Leïla Slimani's (2016) novel, Chanson douce (The Perfect Nanny). The work seeks to investigate how modern mothers navigate the world of work and domestic responsibilities in an attempt to balance professional accomplishments and work-life while pursuing their roles as mothers. The study recognizes the potential risks faced by the modern mother in balancing these roles and calls for an alternative model to be explored that will prioritise the welfare of children in an evolving societal dynamic.

Ugwuoke Ebere and Odada Solomon investigate the use of figure of speech in some drama texts in Igbo. The study demonstrates how figures of speech offer depth, and bring life to the words used by writers. They are creatively used to show the intent of the writer
and purpose of using such language.

Roseline Eze, Aruah Onyebuchi and Idoko Nwadimkpa explore the role of social environment, gender and socio-economic status (of parents) on children’s interest and performance in Igbo as an examinable subject in senior secondary schools. The study recommends that these social variables should be taken into consideration in the Igbo teaching and learning classroom to facilitate students’ achievement in the subject.

The last paper is a review of Late Prof. Okon Essien’s (2010) book, Commissioned and Inspired Works on some Vital Aspects of Linguistics which was published by M. & J. Grand Orbit Communications, Port Harcourt. The review was written by Margaret Okon
and Paulinus Noah. This volume of JOLAN is a dynamic product that has orchestrated a fruitful dialogue between structural and applied linguistics based on a broad range of topics that are essential in understanding contemporary approaches to linguistics. The articles are clearly written and the arguments are well articulated. The volume will interest students, non-specialists and professional language scholars alike.

Eyo Mensah
General Editor, JOLAN
University of Calabar