CULTURAL INFLUENCE ON LANGUAGE

CULTURAL INFLUENCE ON LANGUAGE

ABSTRACT

It has been established that taboo and sexism exist in the Ohaozara dialect. The concerns addressed in this study endeavor are upon describing how culture effects language. This book provides insight into the behavior of language as it is bent, regulated, and molded by the Ohaozara people’s culture. Culture is defined as the shared patterns of behavior and interaction, cognitive, constructive, and affective knowledge that are taught through socialization. These shared patterns identify members of one culture group while distinguishing those of another, and because language is unique to the speakers, there is variation in Ohaozara dialect, in gender and age as it has been influenced by the culture of the people, distinguishing Ohaozara people from others. A break from the rules of the dialect is thus referred to as a taboo. The study’s data came from the Ohaozara dialect. As a descriptive survey, the paper used the simple descriptive method of analysis, among others. The following conclusions were drawn from the data collected and analyzed: the study demonstrates the existence of culture in Ohaozara land stipulating the conduct of its members, making it difficult or immoral for its members to commit taboo due to the penalty that awaits the offender. Some terms exist but are not freely used by women; the euphemistic renditions for items are derived from panegyric names coined by special old men for public usage; women do not address such words directly in the presence of men. Because of the importance of sociolinguistics to our culture and current society, we urge that the study of sociolinguistics extend beyond teaching only linguistic students to secondary schools and other departments in all institutions.

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.0 THE STUDY’S BACKGROUND

Language, in general, is a distinct mode of communication. The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English defines language as “a system of communication by written or spoken words used by the people of a specific country or area.” According to Agbedo (2003), language is the pivot around which all human activities, from the most mundane to the most profound, revolve. What he meant was that language affects every element of a person’s life.

Language is the unique vehicle via which a society’s belief system, world perspective, moral values, and almost all of its essential ingredients are passed down from generation to generation.

Every society has a set of values and standards that guide the behavior of its individuals and their languages, as well as ensuring the society’s peace and order. These beliefs and conventions are ingrained in the population. Culture, or people’s way of life, provides structure and guidance for social behavior, as well as stability in the face of change.

Ohaozara Community in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has a unique and rich cultural history that directs and guides the Ohaozara people’s life and language. The cultural effect on the Ohaozara people can be seen in the tribe’s taboos as moral restrictions. This is because their forefathers were overly religious.

The earth goddess “Ala” is revered by the Ohaozara people as the keeper of morals and the ancestors as agents of moral law enforcement. The moral rules outline the community’s dos and don’ts. People refer to the don’ts as “taboos” or “Nso ala.”

There are few things that the Ohaozara people forbid. As a result, in order to live peacefully among community members, the community hates and frowns on those things.

Those don’ts must be taken seriously because breaking them attracts punishment from the earth goddess and her cohorts.

1.1 The Study’s Historical and Geographic Background

Ohaozara is the subject of investigation. It is a Local Government Area in the Nigerian state of Ebonyi. Its headquarters are in the Uburu town of Obiozara. Other towns in the Local Government Area include Ugwulangwu, Uburu, and Okposi. It is situated south-east of Abakaliki. It has a land area of 312 km2 and a population of 148, 626 people according to the 2006 census.

The Okposi and Uburu salt lakes are the most conspicuous physical features of Ohaozara.

The Ohaozara make their living through two major occupations: farming (which is strictly reserved for men) and salt production (which is prohibited in favor of women). Previously, these two occupations enabled Ohaozara to be self-sufficient and content.

The town’s location suggests that her alluvial soils would be wealthy. Yam farming became so advanced that a plot of land was cultivated every year. The ground was cleared five months after yam harvesting to plant the alternate crop, cocoyam. Nowadays, cassava is used in place of yams. Despite an increase of rich farming, this addiction to yams persists.

Since the discovery of the so-called salt lakes by two hunters, Ekuma Chita and Uta Ano, salt production has supplemented Ohaozara economics. Since then, the ladies have created salt through a technique that is beyond the scope of this work.

Biafran scientists who tested the brine discovered that the salinity is higher in the geographical zone of South Eastern Nigeria.

Historically, the origins of Ohaozara can be traced back to the natural forces or deities “Chi,” also known as Ochangene” (dazzling light) or “Ope” (provider), who are too far away to be directly petitioned. He is occasionally individuated, but his supremacy is maintained by the fact that he is thought to see everything, even from a great distance. However, there is a shrine known as “Evivie” or “Chineze” that resembles the ark of covenant. It is owned collectively by an extended family, with the eldest man serving as chief priest. This shrine is never on the ground. There must always be a gentle glow where it is maintained. It is carried down, set on some logs, and sacrifices are given to it during a yearly communion (compulsory for all male members).

They worship the soil goddess “Ani,” whose totem is the Aka, a particularly harmless green snake. They also saw themselves as protectors of social laws.

Their trust in the Supreme God does not exclude them from worshiping other gods or honoring ancestors. The people are very hospitable, but they can also use offenders to teach them a lesson; the punishment for offenders ranges from capital punishment and excommunications to the withdrawal of privileges; through these measures, the people of Ohaozara enforce law and order and maintain peaceful coexistence in the villages where they have built family compounds and individual houses.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Taboos are a generic idea in Ohaozara Language that have coexisted with Ohaozara Traditional Custodians.

It is therefore important to emphasize that these forbidden expressions have a lot of bad consequences for people, compounding their issues.

Some of the issues raised by taboo expressions are as follows.

The culture will suffer as a result. This is because language is an important component of culture, and Ohaozara culture, like all other civilizations in Igbo nation, excludes nasty terms.

Immorality, which is closely related to corruption, will result in a collapse of law and order in the area.

The continued presence of harsh expressions that are considered taboo has the potential to cause a generational problem. This is due to the fact that any society’s or people’s behaviors are passed down from generation to generation.

1.3 Aim of the Research

The goal of this research is to learn about the “taboos” that exist in Ohaozara land and how they affect the language and even the individuals in the community. When they are established, determine the magnitude, and after that, educate the community on the measurement of taboos and the consequences of insolating them.

1.4 Study Scope and Limitations

The fact that this research is not intended to cover a large area of the country or the world, but rather a small concentration in Ohaozara land, limits its scope.

The study examines taboos as they are found in the people’s language and tradition, and they are explored under the following subtitles: forms of taboos in Ohaozara Language and their roles, and Western influence on them.

1.5 Question for Research

The following questions have been developed to keep the study focused and to serve as a beacon.

(1) How much does culture influence language in the Ohaozara dialect?

(2) How much variance in speech is there in Ohaozara dialect due to gender/sexism?

(3) To what extent does the cultural influence of Ohaozara on language correspond to that of Igbo culture in general?

1.6 Importance of Research

Taboos were important and beneficial in Ohaozara society. There are a collection of norms that serve as moral direction or a law in the community to ensure that peace and security are there.

Taboos function as a moral value guardian in society. Given that Ohaozara culture was oral, it is an effective system for preserving and transmitting moral values. They were a form of societal control, and without them, there would be chaos: religious punishments from the gods and ancestors, or directly from the supreme being, give and strengthen motivation for adhering to normative ideals.