Abstract:
Slangy expressions, a means of communication among groups of people in casual and
informal settings, are commonly deployed by youths in motor parks. Previous studies on
slangy expressions have focused either on Anglophone or Francophone countries, with
little attention paid to a comparative study of slang in the two contexts, especially in motor
parks. This study was, therefore, designed to examine slangy expressions among youths in
Badagry (Nigeria) and Adjamé (Côte d’Ivoire) motor parks, with a view to establishing
their forms and functions.
Dell Hymes’ Ethnography of Communication and Giles Howard’s Communication and
Accommodation theories were adopted as the framework, while the survey design was
used. Two motor parks (Badagry –Seme Border and Adjamé – Nouvelle Gare) were
purposively selected because of their popularity and availability of respondents. In-depth
interviews were conducted with 22 purposively selected youths (Seme Border – 12 and
Nouvelle Gare – 10) because of their knowledgeability, availability and suitability. Key
informant interviews were conducted with three motor park chairmen – one in Seme
Border and two in Nouvelle Gare. Data were subjected to sociolinguistic analysis.
The slangy expressions used in the two parks were categorised into three tone marks:
lexical borrowing, coded expression and code switching. Lexical borrowing was
exemplified in irúnmọlẹ̀ to nje fried rice; Bàbá I hail o; Cê como; and On dit qué.
Instances of borrowed expressions were fried rice (English – Yoruba), I hail o (Pidgin –
Yoruba), Cê como (French – Baoulé) and On dit qué (French – Baoulé). The examples
showed that lexical borrowing in Seme Border motor park was mostly from English to
Yoruba, while in Nouvelle Gare, it was mostly from French to Baoulé. The borrowed
expressions were used for greeting respected personalities in the two motor parks. Coded
expressions were elucidated in Alayé Gbánkó (Mr. Man, stay alert), Fo bléblé mon gars
(Be careful my guy), Magọ o (Don’t be sluggish), Il n’y a pas des balles (The policemen
are around). These coded expressions were used to issue warning. Code switching was
manifested in Fún mi ní fígò (Give me N500) and Le gars est digba (The man is strong).
Fún mi ní (Give me) is a Yoruba expression, while fígò (personality) is the name of a
Portuguese footballer. Fún mi ní fígò is the combination of both Yoruba and Portuguese.
Le gars est (The man is) is a French expression, while digba (strong) belongs to Baoulé
language. Le gars est digba is the combination of both French and Baoulé. The codemixed expressions were used to indicate exchange of money and expression of confidence
among the youths in both parks.
Slangy expressions are distinctively used in both Seme Border (Badagry) and Nouvelle
Gare (Adjamé) motor parks for various communicative functions among youths in Nigeria
and Côte d’Ivoire. And it also contribute to the use of salutation, marketing, commercial
advertisement, music, education and in socio-cultural context in our society.
