Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Vol. 5, No. 2, May 2017 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 94 P-ISSN 2350-7756 | E-ISSN 2350-8442 | www.apjmr.com I was Like as a Quotative Device: Implications for Indirect or Reported Speech in Nigerian English Usage Oluwakemi Titilola Olayemi Department of English, Olabisi onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria Olayemioou@gmail.com Date Received: February 3, 2017; Date Revised: April 24, 2017 Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Vol. 5 No.2, 94-103 May 2017 P-ISSN 2350-7756 E-ISSN 2350-8442 www.apjmr.com Abstract - Reporting is naturally a feature of narratives or speech involving self-explaining activities, especially those in which the reporter may be a participant or simply narrates certain actions or events. In English usage, the task of reporting is such that a reporting verb is chosen to show the time of the actions or events narrated, and the tense in the original action reported undergoes certain modifications along with the perspective or point of view. However, there are exceptions to the rules of tense in cases involving the reporting of actions that are constant, the expression of eternal truths or religious principles and beliefs. This paper highlights the use of “I was like” by Nigerians as a quotative device in reporting events. This is with a view to identifying the various communicative functions of “I was like” in this regard, and its implications for English usage in a second language setting. The speech samples of purposively selected Nigerians who have either acquired or are in the process of acquiring tertiary education served as data for the study. The participants featured in formal radio and television talk shows. The findings revealed that even in formal speech situations, “I was like” can be employed by Nigerians in reported speech and by it, they can scale the hurdle of having to abide by the rules of reporting in English usage. This, no doubt, has implications for performance in English language, especially in formal settings. Keywords – Communicative Functions, Quotative Device, Reporting INTRODUCTION Discourse in English usage, particularly in non- native settings has consistently generated much scholarly research. The fact remains that language is dynamic in nature, and various languages have been found to always adapt to the socio-cultural milieu within which they function. Over the years, synchronic and diachronic studies on the use of English by different social groups have revealed the emergence of varieties of the English language so that specific social classes can become identified and categorized based on the linguistic behavior of members of the classes. Language is a very important means of communicating social meaning. It is therefore very important to study language and its use in social contexts. Spolsky [1] explains that “language – any language – is full of systematic variation, variation that can only be accounted for by appealing, outside language, to socially-relevant forces and facts”. English language in Nigeria has spread to so many domains of human life. Its importance is revealed in the various opportunities attached to mastery or proficiency in the language. However, different aspects of English usage have been found to pose great challenges to second language learners. Chukwu [2] explains the ignorance displayed by learners and scholars who are second language users of English in Nigeria, in the use of copula verbs, Sotiloye et al [3] examine prepositional errors in the use of English by selected second language learners of English in Nigeria, to mention a few. All of these establish the fact that there are many challenges attached to English usage in non-native settings. According to Mphande [4], Language is a guide to social reality, and human beings at times seem to be at the mercy of the language that has become the medium of expression for their society. Therefore, from this perspective, experience is largely determined by the language habits of the community, and that each separate structure