Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Scholarly interest in Nigerian Radio Broadcasters' Radio Commentary has remained strong, reflecting its continued relevance to discussions of Nigerian and African literary identity.

Despite the volume of criticism devoted to Radio Commentary, its use of semantic shift in relation to language attitudes has not been exhaustively examined, leaving room for closer textual analysis.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While Nigerian Radio Broadcasters' Radio Commentary is widely studied, there is no settled critical consensus on how its semantic shift functions specifically in relation to language attitudes. This study undertakes a close textual analysis to address that gap.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the use of semantic shift in Nigerian Radio Broadcasters' Radio Commentary.
2. To analyze how semantic shift contributes to the portrayal of language attitudes.
3. To assess the effectiveness of semantic shift as a stylistic/thematic tool in the text.
4. To situate the findings within the broader context of Nigerian literary/linguistic scholarship.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How is semantic shift used in Nigerian Radio Broadcasters' Radio Commentary?
2. In what ways does semantic shift contribute to the portrayal of language attitudes?
3. How effective is semantic shift as a stylistic/thematic tool in the text?
4. How does this reading relate to the broader body of Nigerian literary/linguistic scholarship?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to students and teachers of linguistics, offering a close reading of Nigerian Radio Broadcasters' Radio Commentary that can support classroom discussion and further critical work. It also contributes to the broader body of scholarship on Nigerian literary and linguistic studies.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to a close textual analysis of semantic shift within Radio Commentary, reflecting a BSc-level scope; it does not extend to a full survey of the author's other works.