INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE INTERFERENCE IN THE PRONOUNCIATION OF ENGLISH WORDS AMONG BROADCASTERS (A STUDY OF BROADCASTING CORPORATION OF OYO STATE, BCOS)

This study investigates the phenomenon of Indigenous Language interference in the pronunciation of English words among broadcasters at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS). Mother tongue interference, often referred to as language transfer, occurs when the linguistic habits of a speaker's native language influence their speech in a second language, in this case, English. As broadcasters are considered custodians of standard speech, any interference from indigenous languages may affect communication effectiveness and audience perception. The research employs both qualitative and quantitative methods, utilizing interviews and speech analysis of selected BCOS broadcasters. Findings reveal that interference primarily stems from phonological differences between English and local languages such as Yoruba, resulting in mispronunciations that affect the clarity and professionalism of broadcasts. The study further examines the impact of such mispronunciations on audience understanding and trust in media communication. Recommendations are offered on strategies to minimize interference, including regular phonetic training for broadcasters and the integration of pronunciation tools and techniques to improve English language proficiency.