American Research Journal of English and Literature

Preference for the use of Nigerian Pidgin English (NPE) as a medium of communication among Nigerian staff of Controlled Event Solutions (CES) in Manchester is because of its simplicity and linguistic neutrality. Studies on NPE revealed that it derives its vocabulary from English (superstrate), and its sound system from the syntax of the local languages (substrate). This study examined how the preposition “fo” (English “for”) functions differently in various context, and what inherent meaning it has that explains its semantic versatility. The study was conducted with fifteen (15) Nigerian staff of CES, all within the age bracket of between 20 and 40 years. Four (4) participants were females while eleven (11) were males. The data were collected through naturally occurring casual speech. The findings revealed that “fo” can coincide with the English “for”; “fo” can function as a possessive marker when it precedes a proper noun; “fo” can function as “in” both as spatial and temporal; “fo” can function as “inside” (spatial) to overtly indicate the relationship between direct and indirect objects; “fo” can function as “on” (spatial locative [positional] & temporal), the interpretation of which is determined by the listener’s semantic instinct at notional level coupled with the type of nominal in the string; “fo” can function as “of” to indicate a point of reference; “fo” can function as “by” (preposition of agent); and “fo” can also function as the spatial “to” (directional) among other roles. This study further revealed that “fo” in NPE is used to specify the mood and attitude of the speaker. With the findings from this study, it is obvious that “fo” is mutable in every sense of its use.