Abstract

The research on the topic “Investigating the use of punctuation marks in the essays of Forms 1, 2, and 3 students of G.B.H.S Mutengene” seeks to discover the errors Forms 1 to 3 students make in using punctuation marks and also to compare and contrast the errors they make.

The hypothesis used was that there is a difference between the errors made by Form 1 and 2 students and errors made by Form 3 students. Forms 1 and 2 students make similar errors.

To make this inquiry we used observation and tests which revealed that though Forms 1, 2 and 3 students have common errors in using punctuation marks and other written elements, Form 3 students tend to make fewer mistakes in pronunciations and other elements of writing than Forms 1 and 2 students. This is so because Form 3 students are in the highest class than Forms 1 and 2 students and so they are more exposed to the use of punctuation marks.

This research is a call to the attention of teachers and educators to the linguistic performance and evolution of students so as to enable them to fit in the competitive world awaiting them. It is recommended that teachers pay closer attention to the linguistic performance of the students.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The English language is the third largest language in the world after Chinese and Spanish. The special phenomenon is that English is spoken all over the world and it is only restricted to one area as is with Chinese. English functions as the sole official language in countries like Ghana and Jamaica,  but it is also established as an official language along with languages in countries like; Cameroon, Tanzania,  Singapore, and Pakistan. However, even where English is not officially used and taken for granted as is the case of the United States (Fingan 1989 – 77).

English has developed into a lingua Franca which gives people the opportunity to communicate more opportunities and overcome borders (Anderman and Rogers 2005: 180.

The rise of the English language is closely related to the development of the British Empire. David Crystal states that” the power of the English language is related to the history and development of the British Empire.

A punctuation mark (formerly called pointing) is the use of spacing, conventional signs, and certain typographical devices as aids to the understanding and correct reading of handwritten text whether read silently or aloud. Another description is ” it is the practice action or system of inserting points or other small marks into a text in order to aid interpretation,  division of the text into sentences,  phrases,  and clauses by means of such mark “.

Punctuation is vital to disambiguate the meaning of sentences. For example: “woman without her man,  is nothing ” ( emphasizing the importance of men  ) ,  and  ” woman: without her,  man is nothing ” ( emphasizing the importance of women ) have different meanings; as ” do eats shoots and leaves ” ( which means the subject consumes plants growths ) and eats; shoots,  and leaves ” ( which means the subject eats first,  then fires a weapon,  and then leaves the scene )  ( Truss Lynne 2003 ).

The sharp differences in meaning are produced by the simple differences in punctuation within the example’s pairs. Punctuation is an important part of written communication from academic essays to letters accompanying job applications. It has a good stylistic effect if used well.

All writers need to be able to understand the use of punctuation marks if they want to write effectively and coherently; the system of punctuation we use today has changed over time so much that written texts were the solid block of symbols with no gap between words which are arranged.

It was after the advent of the introduction of the printing press in the fifteenth century that punctuation conversations have was seen as a rule to govern consistently. Some great aspects of punctuation remain to a certain extend matter of personal judgment.

The rule of punctuation vary with languages, location, register, and time are constantly evolving certain aspects of punctuation are stylistic and are thus the author’s choice, or tachygraphy language forms, such as those used in online chats and texts messages.

1.2 Statement of the problem

The use of spacing, conventional signs, and certain typographical devices as aids to the understanding and correct reading of the handwritten and printed text is becoming an area of interest nowadays.

This is because many people, institutions, and students fail to understand the proper presentation of punctuation marks, and hence, they tend to use such inappropriately. The incorrect use of punctuation marks has some implications on the understanding of the text.

Firstly, it causes difficulties in reading. When punctuation marks are not applied correctly, an individual who is reading the text in question finds it difficult to read the text because there is a lack of coherence in the writing which could result in misinterpretation of the text.

One would be confused on where to break and where to lay emphasis. More so, the incorrect use of punctuation marks causes difficulties to understand a written text. A text which is wrongly punctuated is often difficult to understand because it sounds senseless.

Need therefore arises to carry out an analysis on the use of punctuation marks in the essays of Forms 1, 2, and 3 students of Government Bilingual High school Mutengene.

1.3. Research Questions

This study seeks to answer the following questions;

– How are punctuation marks used in the essays of Forms 1, 2, and 3 students of Government Bilingual High School?

– What are the errors in punctuation made in the essays of Forms 1, 2, and 3 students of Government Bilingual High School Mutengene?

1.4. Objectives of the research

1.4.1. Main Objective 

To study the use of punctuation marks in the essays of Forms 1, 2 and students of G.B.H.S Mutengene.

– To ascertain the errors relating to punctuation marks in the essays of Forms 1 to 3

1.5. Significance of the study

This study on the use of punctuation marks is as follows;

– To students, it will show the different types of punctuation marks in their writing as this will serve as a possible area of interest for auto-correction.

This study will equally add to existing knowledge on the use of punctuation marks in the school milieu.

– Finishing from this study will guide textbook writers to develop relevant material in this area.

Finally, this research is one of the requirements for the award of a Bachelor’s Degree in the English Language from the University of Buea.

1.7. Scope and Delimitation of the study

This study focuses on the use of punctuation marks in the essays of Forms 1, 2 and 3 students of Government Bilingual High School Mutengene. The academic sample of 60 students from Forms 1-3 is for the year 2020/2021.

1.8. Structure of the study

This chapter explains the outline of the research. It also includes an explanation of the research background. It contains an explanation of the research aims and objectives, research questions, significance of the study, and structure of the study.