English Idioms in Some Nigerian Print Media: of Norm and Deviation

Abstract

The use of English idioms in news report is a common feature in Nigeria print media. In this paper, an attempt is made to examine the English idioms used in some Nigerian newspapers based on the concept of style as deviation from the norm. The paper evaluates the extent to which newspaper writers are faithful to the original idioms. In the data collected for comparison and analysis, it is discovered that the idioms have undergone modifications in the Nigerian press, breaking the rule of fixed collocation. The paper raises the question as to whether these deviant English idioms should be accepted or rejected. The paper posits that these deviations may become the norm if unchecked.