A Survey of awareness of language endangerment in Nigeria
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2008
Authors
Ohiri-Anche, C
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
As Nigerians increasingly abandon the use of their indigenous
languages in all domains of life, including the home, this study
sought to find out if they were aware of the language
endangerment and ultimate language extinction they were
courting. The study used a descriptive survey methodology to
find out about awareness of language endangerment, and other
issues of language use and preferences from eight hundred
adults spread over four States of the Federation-Akwa Ibom, Imo,
Lagos and Sokoto States. Findings included the following: 71% of
respondents have not heard of language endangerment; 83% do
not believe their own language could die, while 89% would regret
if their language became extinct. This regret, however, seems
misplaced since only 40% spoke to their children in their
indigenous language; among children aged 6 years to 11 years,
15% cannot speak parents' indigenous language, while the figure
rises to 25% among children aged 5 years and below. The paper
then recommends massive awareness and sensitization
campaigns on language endangerment in the country; ensuring
the active use of the indigenous languages in all spheres of life,
especially in the home and enforcing the teaching of Nigerian
languages in all nursery, primary and secondary schools as
recommended in the National Policy on Education. Finally, the
paper suggests the Federal Government declare every Wednesday
a diversity day when indigenous languages and cultures would
be freely used and manifested by everyone, and in every place.
Description
Keywords
Language endangerment , Language extinction , Indigenous language , Educational policy , Diversity
Citation
Paper presented at the 39th Annual Conference on African Linguistics (ACAL)April 17-20, 2008, University of Georgia, Athens, USA.