Status Struggle: Evaluation Of The English Language And The Indigenous Languages In Nigeria

Status Struggle: Evaluation Of The English Language And The Indigenous Languages In Nigeria

Abstract

The presence and the use of the English language in Nigeria has been seen as a trouble to the indigenous languages. The verity lies in the fact that Nigeria has espoused the language of her social master and has given it precedence over the indigenous languages that were in actuality before her actuality. This act can lead to loss of identity as language isn’t only a means of communication but an aspect of a people’s identity. still, the mindfulness of this peril and the proclamation of UNESCO that the Igbo language will go into defunct in fifty( 50) times, beginning from 2001 if nothing is done to revive the language have made Nigerians in the Diaspora engage in the struggle of deposing the English language and restoring the indigenous languages to what they used to be before the coming of the British. thus, this exploration is anchored on crucial issues similar as language and identity struggle, the public language question, the status of English in Nigeria, the status and struggle of the indigenous languages in Nigeria and the struggle for status recognition in the language of Nigerian literature, especially fictional prose. It justifies through a rationalistic view that the English language will win in the struggle if effects remain the way they are.

Chapter One

Preface

Background to the Study

Language is seen as the main tool of communication between the members of a society

that use it. According to AlanD. DeSantis, language is “ a structured system of signs, sounds, gestures, or marks that’s used and understood to express ideas and passions among people within a community, nation, geographic area or artistic tradition ”( 80).I.O. Balogun sees language as “ a artistic tool for the easy identification of a p eople and should be allowed to be learnt from birth to majority for the creation of a people’s culture and tradition ”( 1). The English language in Nigeria stands against the three major indigenous languages which are; Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. The minor languages in Nigeria are believed to be over 450 in number.

A language can only gain elevation with reference to the people who speak it. The presence and use of the English language in Nigeria have shown lesser significance further than the other three public languages. This is because in a multilingual terrain, it’s the utility of a language that determines the status or significance of the language in the midst of other contending languages in the verbal request place. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization( UNESCO) report on risked indigenous languages states that the Igbo language in Eastern Nigeria faces the threat of possible extermination in the coming 50 times( beginning from 2001), if nothing is done to revive the language. Since also, Nigeria has been on the plan to engage her citizens in revitalising the indigenous languages.

Emenajo Nolue is of the view that language is the key to the heart of a people. He further states that a misplaced language is a lost lineage, a lost lineage is a misplaced culture, a misplaced culture is inestimable knowledge lost