A sociolinguistic ANALYSIS ON THE DIVERGENCE OF LINGUISTIC ATTITUDES AND STEREOTYPES AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. By OGUNBEKUN, YETUNDE RUKAYAT 190321196 A research project submitted to the department of English, FACULTY OF ART, Lagos State University, ojo, lagos state in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of Bachelor of arts (B.A) in English language, DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FACULTY OF ARTS, LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY,OJO, LAGOS STATE. JANUARY, 2024 Certification This is to certify that this research work titled "A SOCIOLINGUISTIC ANALYSIS ON THE DIVERGENCE OF LINGUISTIC ATTITUDES AND STEREOTYPES AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS" written by OGUNBEKUN, YETUNDE RUKAYAT with matriculation number 190321196 has been read and approved as meeting the requirement for the bachelor of arts(B.A) degree in English language ______________________ ________________ Dr Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose Date Project supervisor ______________________ ________________ Prof Pius Akhimien Date Head of department ______________________ ________________ External examiner Date DEDICATION In profound gratitude, I extend my deepest appreciation to my extraordinary mother, Alhaja M.K Eletu, for her endless sacrifices and boundless love. To my father, PRINCE OGUNBEKUN LANRE whose wisdom and resilience inspire me daily, and to my brother Damilola , a constant source of encouragement and guidance. This project is dedicated to the pillars of my life, shaping my journey with unwavering support and belief. OGUNBEKUN, Y.R. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS To begin with, I extend my deepest gratitude to Almighty Allah, the giver of wisdom and my pillar of strength for the completion of this research work. I also thank him for His everlasting blessings, growth and protection throughout my academic journey in LASU. First, I express my sincere appreciation to my Supervisor, Dr Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose, for your guidance, insightful feedback, and continuous support throughout this research. Your expertise and encouragement have been invaluable in shaping this project. I equally appreciate Professor Pius E. Akhimen, the Head of the Department of English and all the lecturers of the Department of English for impacting their knowledge and contributing to my academic and intellectual growth. May God bless you all. I extend my sincere gratitude to the individuals who have played crucial roles in the successful completion of this academic journey. To my cherished course mates, roommates, friends and family; Ogunyemi Esther, Sadique Barakat, Ilumoh Juliana, Aishat, Roberta, My Big Mum; Eletu Yemi, Oluwatobi, Fareedah, Simisola, Amarachi, Tamilore, Adebayo Tunde, Lawal Jamiu, Anjola and others whose names I cannot list individually, your collaborative spirit has made this journey more enjoyable and enriching. Special appreciation goes to my Dad Sulaiman Saibu Rotimi, for the unwavering support, sacrifices, and opportunities you have provided. To my lovely mother, thank you so much Your investment in my education has been the bedrock of my achievements so far. My brother, Ogunbekun Damilola, for your timely financial support during moments of need, and to all other family relations who contributed to my academic success. May the Almighty God bless you all. TABLE OF CONTENT Title Page i Certification ii Dedication iii Acknowledgment iv Table of Contents vi Abstract ix CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem 4 1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study 5 1.4 Research Questions 6 1.5 Significance of the Study 6 1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study 6 1.7 Organization of the Study 7 1.8 Definition of Terms 7 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction 9 2.2 Conceptual Framework 9 2.2.1 Linguistic Attitudes and Stereotypes 9 2.2.2 Concept of Sociolinguistics 12 2.2.3 Language Variation and Change in Adolescent Speech 14 2.2.4 Linguistic Attitudes and Stereotypes 15 2.2.5 Factors that influences Linguistic Attitudes and Stereotypes 17 2.2.6 Purpose of the Literature Review 18 2.3 Theoretical Framework 21 2.4 Empirical Reviews 29 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Introduction 32 3.2 Research Design 32 3.3 Population of the Study 33 3.4 Sampling Technique and Sampling Size 33 3.5 Research Instrument 33 3.6 Method of Data Analysis 34 CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS 4.1 Data Presentation 36 4.2 Summary of Findings 42 4.3 Discussion of Findings 44 CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS 5.1 Summary 46 5.2 Conclusion 47 5.3 Recommendations 47 5.4 Suggestion for Further Studies 48 REFERENCES 49 APPENDIX 53 ABSTRACT Current research on linguistic attitudes and stereotypes primarily focuses on broader societal perspectives, neglecting the dynamics within student populations. This study aimed to address this gap by conducting a sociolinguistic analysis of the divergence of linguistic attitudes and stereotypes among secondary school students. Guided by Giles Howard's Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT), the study investigated students' views on diverse languages and accents, their awareness of linguistic stereotypes, and factors influencing their perceptions. Students generally displayed a positive disposition towards linguistic diversity, though they acknowledged the presence of stereotypes within the school community. Their opinions on the influence of these stereotypes on interactions and identity formation were divided. External factors like media and family influences, along with peer interactions and personal experiences, were identified as key shapers of linguistic attitudes. Gender differences and intersections with other social identities further added complexity to the picture. Based on these findings, recommendations for educational practitioners include incorporating awareness of linguistic diversity and the detrimental effects of stereotypes into the curriculum, providing professional development opportunities for teachers on these topics, introducing media literacy programs, establishing support services for marginalized students, and continuously monitoring and adapting interventions to address the evolving landscape of linguistic attitudes and stereotypes among students. Keywords: linguistic attitudes, stereotypes, secondary school students. Word count: 214 words