Incorrect Punctuation and Ambiguity in Written English of Students of English

ABSTRACT

This research study was on incorrect punctuation and ambiguity in written English of Students of English, in Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit. To achieve the specific objectives of the study; two research questions were formulated and answered. The survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised of two hundred and twenty seven (227) English students in the 2017/2018 academic session. A sample size of one hundred (100) NCE II and III students in the 2017/2018 academic session was selected through random sampling technique. The instrument used in gathering the needed data for the study were a questionnaire on “Punctuation and Written English of Students of English ‘(PWESE)’” and an Essay Test on the topic “My experiences during Corona virus pandemic”. The method used in analyzing the data collected was simple percentages. Findings revealed that the use of punctuation marks makes written communication effective and shows its ambiguity where the punctuation marks are used improperly. Also, that the use of punctuation marks help in showing what goes with what in a sentence in students’ written English. Based on the findings of this study it was recommended that Teachers should always ensure that students’ written English is given due checking while marking so as to improve the students’ written English

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background to the Study

Over the years, studies have shown that many students lack the knowledge of inserting correct punctuation marks in their writings, this makes their writings inappropriate. In the same vein, Punctuation is an essential part of good writing that we all have a duty to master: without it, we cannot make our meanings clear, with it; we can enhance our use of language. It is also an important aspect of writing that cannot be over emphasised because; it is one of the major ingredients that contributes to meaning of any written discourse. This implies that, the correct use of punctuations in written English enhances meaning and facilitates comprehension and effective communication. Punctuations include full stop, comma, colon; semi-colon, hyphens, apostrophe, question marks, exclamation marks, and brackets among others.

Ambiguity is an idea that may be understood in more than one sense or interpreted differently by speaker and hearer. Incorrect use of punctuation in written English alters meanings and creates ambiguity in written discourse which leads to ineffective written communication. Therefore, it is important for educational planners, scholars, lecturers, students and teachers to know the functions of punctuation marks, their meanings and when to use them in order to provide a good piece of comprehensible written discourse.

An error in punctuations intended, makes written words ungrammatical, incomprehensible and ambiguous. Therefore, it is important in any written English for students to know the functions of punctuation marks, their meaning and when to use them properly. With the introduction of a standard system of punctuation, the rules of punctuations are strictly considered as the basic part of meaning of any narrative writing.  It is on the above point this research project aims at analysing the incorrect punctuation and ambiguity in written English of students of English, in Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit in order to explicate how incorrect punctuation marks creates ambiguity in their written discourse and hinder their effective narrative writings.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

It is obvious that majority of Students of the Department of English, College of Education, Afaha Nsit, wrongly punctuate words in their written English causing many inconsistencies of meaning in some selected scripts and writings on the notice boards of the students. Many at times words and phrases carry double meaning as a result of inappropriate use of punctuation marks. These therefore become worrisome for students as they are unable to graduate at the appropriate time. The above problem motivates the researcher to ask if the incorrect punctuations lead to ambiguity in written English of students of the Department of English, College of Education, Afaha Nsit?  The quest to answer this question motivates the present research on incorrect punctuation as a cause of Ambiguity in written English of students of the Department of English, College of Education, Afaha Nsit.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

This research aims at analysing the incorrect punctuation and ambiguity in written English of Students of English, in Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit.

Specifically, the objectives are set to:

       i.            examine the relationship between punctuation and precision in written communication of students of the Department of English, College of Education, Afaha Nsit;

     ii.            examine how incorrect punctuation results into ambiguity in written English of students of the Department of English, College of Education, Afaha Nsit; and

  iii.            Make recommendations where necessary.

1.4     Significance of the Study

This research will appeal particularly to students, lecturers, teachers in secondary schools, public speakers and text book writers with a sketchy knowledge of the guidelines on punctuation marks. This study will also serves as a reference materials to researchers on the important of punctuation marks and the effects of ambiguity in narrative writings.

The work will also be of value to editors and typesetters who might need a reminder on some of the less common aspects of their subject and particularly to students to punctuate properly in their written English without tempering with the meaning of the original sentence. The findings will help applicants who write for employment, letter to friends or to the bank manager and technical manual.

1.5 Research Questions

The following research questions were formulated to guide the study:

       i.            What is the relationship between punctuation and precision in written communication?

     ii.            How does incorrect punctuation result into ambiguity in written English of students of the Department of English, College of Education, Afaha Nsit?

1.6 Delimitation of the Study

This research work was delimited to the topic punctuation and ambiguity in written English of Students of English, in Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit.