Some of the consequences of English language being dominant were identified in an article by Mustapha (2014). They are the linguistic and communicative inequality. English Language has created a barrier or hierarchy amongst citizens of Nigeria. We have the elite group who speak “queen’s English”, some who speak “Nigerian English – pidgin” and others who cannot speak English at all. It now becomes difficult to interact with people who are not in your class thereby making English fail at its role of being a medium of communication.
One of the reasons why indigenous languages are not prominent in the country is because little effort is being put into the teaching of these languages in schools for a very long time (Urevbu 1984). The colonial masters …show more content…
The closest to English in which they can comprehend is the Nigerian Pidgin English. Although adult literacy programs have been set up to help in educating the older generation, it would be wise for the programs to adapt to the circumstances in these rural areas to be able to achieve it purpose. In other words, Pidgin English which could also be included as one of the indigenous languages in Nigeria should be used as a medium of instruction because it serves as an intermediary between English and the local languages.
The issue of language in the country is one of the prominent causes of the underdevelopment of Nigeria. Although language brings about culture diversity, it is one of the major issues why some discourse can be observed amongst Nigerians. As a result of this language issue it is not very common to find individuals who speak different languages come together to build a family. Rather the more common marriages are usually culture-specific, within a particular ethnic …show more content…
Now, most people do not bother learning their local language because they feel it will inhibit them from achieving a better life. English language is linked to being successful while the indigenous language was linked to illiteracy. It can be seen that the Nigerian languages are gradually dying and if care is not taken, after a couple of years, there will be a breed of Nigerians who can’t speak or understand the languages. If this happens, valuable cultural values will be lost.
In respect to language shifting, it has been seen now that it is mostly the older individuals in the society that speak their indigenous language. Most homes speak only English to their children so there is no way for them to really master the language. Language is best mastered if the individual learning it can practice it. If a child learns the indigenous language in school but has no means of practicing outside class, there would be no way the child would be able to master the
One of the reasons why indigenous languages are not prominent in the country is because little effort is being put into the teaching of these languages in schools for a very long time (Urevbu 1984). The colonial masters …show more content…
The closest to English in which they can comprehend is the Nigerian Pidgin English. Although adult literacy programs have been set up to help in educating the older generation, it would be wise for the programs to adapt to the circumstances in these rural areas to be able to achieve it purpose. In other words, Pidgin English which could also be included as one of the indigenous languages in Nigeria should be used as a medium of instruction because it serves as an intermediary between English and the local languages.
The issue of language in the country is one of the prominent causes of the underdevelopment of Nigeria. Although language brings about culture diversity, it is one of the major issues why some discourse can be observed amongst Nigerians. As a result of this language issue it is not very common to find individuals who speak different languages come together to build a family. Rather the more common marriages are usually culture-specific, within a particular ethnic …show more content…
Now, most people do not bother learning their local language because they feel it will inhibit them from achieving a better life. English language is linked to being successful while the indigenous language was linked to illiteracy. It can be seen that the Nigerian languages are gradually dying and if care is not taken, after a couple of years, there will be a breed of Nigerians who can’t speak or understand the languages. If this happens, valuable cultural values will be lost.
In respect to language shifting, it has been seen now that it is mostly the older individuals in the society that speak their indigenous language. Most homes speak only English to their children so there is no way for them to really master the language. Language is best mastered if the individual learning it can practice it. If a child learns the indigenous language in school but has no means of practicing outside class, there would be no way the child would be able to master the