A STUDY OF SOCIO-PHONETIC VARIATIONS IN THE SPEECH FORM OF EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES BILINGUALS

This study investigates socio-phonetic variations in the speech forms of bilingual undergraduates at Ekiti State University, focusing on how social factors influence phonetic patterns in their English language usage. The research explores the impact of variables such as age, gender, social class, and linguistic background on pronunciation and phonological shifts among the participants. Data was collected through questionnaires, which were analyzed to reveal several key findings. Sociophonetic features such as pronunciation adaptation, accent awareness, and bilingual comfort were prevalent among the students. Age and socio-economic status were found to be significant factors influencing language use, with younger students showing greater accent awareness, and those from higher-income backgrounds expressing more comfort in bilingual settings. Additionally, sociophonetic variations were found to serve as markers of social identity, particularly in the use of native language in informal settings influenced by family background. The data supports the notion that sociophonetic features, demographic influences, and identity expressions significantly shape language use among undergraduate bilingual students. These findings align with the research objectives and provide a foundation for understanding sociophonetic dynamics at Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti. This study contributes to the understanding of language variation in a Nigerian academic context, highlighting the dynamic nature of bilingual speech and its implications for sociolinguistic theory.