📖 ABSTRACT/OVERVIEW
This study conducts a systematic review of the scholarly literature on Nigerian Pidgin English as a literary medium, mapping the existing research landscape, identifying significant contributions and critical perspectives, and proposing a research agenda for the next phase of Pidgin literary studies in Nigeria. Nigerian Pidgin English has evolved from a historically stigmatised contact variety into a vibrant literary medium with representation in poetry, drama, fiction, music, and digital narrative, yet the academic literature on Pidgin as a literary language remains fragmented, with significant contributions scattered across linguistics, literary studies, and cultural studies journals without systematic synthesis. The study adopts a systematic review methodology, identifying 85 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and doctoral theses on Nigerian Pidgin English literature published between 2000 and 2023 through database searching of JSTOR, MLA International Bibliography, African Journals Online, and ProQuest Dissertations. Thematic synthesis organises findings across four categories: Pidgin literary history and canonisation, formal linguistic analysis of Pidgin literary language, ideological and political dimensions of Pidgin literary production, and audience and reception studies. Findings reveal that the existing scholarship is heavily concentrated on poetry and music lyrics, with prose fiction and drama significantly underrepresented. The reception studies dimension is the least developed area. The study argues for a concerted programme of Pidgin fiction scholarship and for institutional support for Nigerian Pidgin literary prizes and publication. Keywords: Nigerian Pidgin English, literary studies, systematic review, research agenda, creole literature.
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