<b>Retracted:</b> Local Pragmatic Norms in Students’ English: An Identity to Unleash

Abstract

This article has been retracted by the Editor.

English has grown into a global language shared by people in diverse places of the world; and by this definition, can no longer be rightly described as the belonging to one nation or a small group of nations claiming it to be their native language. Considering the different needs that African learners have in learning English and the different functions that English serves in the African region, it is strongly suggested that at the least three points below be accommodated in the regional English curriculum to be specified at the levels of phonology, lexis and grammar, as well as elements of communicative competence all aimed at training learners to develop language functions needed for both inter- and intra-group communication, especially across national boundaries. This paper first discussed the meaning and nature of pragmatic norms. Then it revealed the local pragmatic norms of various kinds, which students usually incorporate into their use of English. It further argued to what extent these local pragmatic norms can or cannot be justifiably adopted. Finally, it proposed ways to best deal with these local pragmatic norms at their occurrences.

Key Words: Pragmatics, norms, learning English, communicative competence