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VOL. 7, ISSUE 3 (2021)
A comparative study of users attitudes towards english and indigenous Nigerian languages
Authors
Obiegbu Ifeyinwa Rita
Abstract
Nigeria is indeed a multilingual nation where three categories of languages are in operation- the endoglossic, the exoglossic and the endo-exoglossic languages. The endoglossic languages are the indigenous languages which Bamgbose (24) puts at about four hundred in number and Adegbija puts at over five hundred. The exoglossic languages are the languages imported into Nigeria. Paramount in this category are English, French and Arabic. The third category in Nigeria is the endo-exoglossic language which is Nigerian Pidgin. These different languages in Nigeria present different attitudes. Language attitudes are affected by several factors triggered off by overt and covert responses. Some people show negative attitude to the use of a language mainly because they want to show identity, protect their culture or because of their incompetence in its learning. On the other hand, some show positive attitude to the use of a language as a result of penalty involved or the instrumental forces attached. For example, good performance in English in the educational sector is an instrumental force for promotion to the next class. Likewise, ability to speak English fluently is a yardstick in an ideal work setting for allocating officers to some juicy duty posts. Language is thus a sensitive social phenomenon. It attracts conscious and unconscious reactions to its use by the individual or community, especially in a multilingual setting like Nigeria. This paper, therefore, examines the different language attitudes of Nigerians, especially with reference to English and the indigenous languages. It comes out with an evaluative judgment on why the English Language has stood the test of time in a multilingual nation like Nigeria.
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Pages:19-22
How to cite this article:
Obiegbu Ifeyinwa Rita "A comparative study of users attitudes towards english and indigenous Nigerian languages ". International Journal of English Research, Vol 7, Issue 3, 2021, Pages 19-22
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