Bridging Communication Gap at Construction Sites in Abuja: The Pidgin English Advantage

Abstract

Communication among different cultures is very vital in workplace and in the society as a whole. Negative occurrences of misunderstanding due to breakdown in communication often occur on construction sites with the attendant consequences on productivity and well-being of the site workers. Hence, the study assessed communication among diverse workers on construction sites in Abuja through the use of unobstructed observation in ten selected sites in Abuja; In addition to this, ten managers/supervisors were interviewed. The study showed that interactions among the workers basically were in English and Pidgin English. Furthermore the study revealed that although 71% of the selected construction firms operate formal organisational structure which entails standard communication in English Language, but in reality, there are informal interactions among the diverse workers within the organisations which give room for informal mode of communication. Despite this unanimous communication in Pidgin English majority of the Hausas could not communicate with other tribes in either English or Pidgin English except with the assistance of an interpreter. Needful to say that the communication bridge among the diverse tribes is not sufficient since majority of the Hausas are yet to assimilate into the Pidgin English mode of communication culture. This therefore call for concern from construction firms to create awareness and also ensure proper training of the affected tribes on the use of Pidgin English as a means of effective communication among diverse workforce on construction sites in Abuja.