Pluralization of English Loan Words in Written Communication of Selected Students of English for Academic Purposes in Makurdi

Abstract

The study examines the pluralization of English loan words in the written works of undergraduate students of English for Academic Purposes( EAP) of Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. The Structural Grammar model’s description of plural patterns of English loan words provides basis for assessing pluralization of English loan words in the students’ works. The model is also employed to design the research instrument, tagged Pluralization of English Loan Words, which was administered to randomly selected eighty-four students during the 2020/21 academic session in the university. The results of data analysis, using frequency count and percentage score, demonstrate that some EAP  students are unable to pluralize common English loan words. Specifically, the students cannot pluralize alumunus, corpus, prospectus, census, terminus, nucleus, alumna, alga, dilemma, nebula, vertebrae, corrigendum, premium, referendum, ultimatum, annex, apex, Latex (Latin);  ellipsis, axis, metropolis, pelvis, criterion, phenomenon, automata, ganglions (Greek);  chasis, adieux  (French); tempo, soprano, virtuoso (Hebrew) and cherub, seraph (Italian) The findings implicate the necessity of including and teaching plural formation of English loan words in EAP course to give  students grammatical basis for effective use of English.