Limits of Language in Nigeria
Limits of Language in Nigeria

Author: Nahna James

Publisher: Nahna James

Published: 2024-08-01

Total Pages: 23

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Limits of Language in Nigeria: Hatred based on Igbo Language, attempts to delve deeply into different socio linguistic issues faced by the Igbo language within Nigerian context. In doing so, the study has used a mixed-methods approach wherein demographic data, public attitudes and socio economic factors that have brought about the status quote of this language are thoroughly assessed. The research establishes some historical and current reasons why there is increased resentment towards Igbo language among Nigerians. This includes last impact caused by colonialism and traumatic experiences during Biafran Civil War which greatly redefined Nigerian social-political life. Political disinterest and economic inequities worsen marginalization of Igbo spoken by majority, but freely bypassed in spheres where English, Hausa or Yoruba languages dominate Nigeria. Also, the article highlights huge educational and institutional barriers that stand in the way of developing and maintaining Igbo language. The barriers are insufficient support for teaching Igbo language and few African Studies courses which do not encourage students to learn African languages such as Igbo. Henceforth, many students prefer not to learn Igbo considering it less useful for their future professions because it is rarely used in professional circles after study completion. Moreover, the research reveals language bias affects how one relates to their culture and society as an Igbo. So much more is lost in not speaking the Igbo language other than communication, including cultural heritage and moral imperatives. This exclusion weakens the social glue that holds the community together and hence fuels feelings of being left out in some way or another. To combat these challenges, this research demands immediate actions to enhance diversity in language as well as safeguard cultural heritage. It therefore proposes for more assistance on the issue of Igbo language education, Igbo language being taught in schools and embracing linguistic pluralism in Nigeria. Hence, this research seeks to create conditions that foster national unity and inclusiveness where the Igbo language and culture in Nigeria is valued and preserved. The study thus aims at finding sustainable solutions to overcome the linguistic and cultural problems facing Igbo speakers as it seeks to understand what could be done to stop the decline of its population among native speakers.

Nigerian Languages, Literatures, Culture and Reforms
Nigerian Languages, Literatures, Culture and Reforms

Author: Ndimele, Ozo-mekuri

Publisher: M & J Grand Orbit Communications

Published: 2016-04-30

Total Pages: 728

ISBN-13: 9785416410

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The papers in this volume were selected from the Silver Jubilee edition of the Annual Conference of the Linguistic Association of Nigerian (LAN) which was held at the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Abuja, Nigeria. The Silver Jubilee edition is dedicated to the father of Nigerian Linguistics, Professor Emeritus Ayo Bamgbose. Professor Emeritus Bamgbose was the first indigenous Professor of Linguistics in Nigeria, and the first black African to teach linguistics in any known university south of the Sahara. He was there from the very beginning, and together with co-operation of people such as the late Professor Kay Williamson, he nurtured Nigerian linguistics. He is not just a foremost Nigerian linguist, but also a most famous, respected, celebrated, distinguished, and cherished African linguist of all times. To be candid, Nigerian linguistics is synonymous with Professor Emeritus Bamgbose. In 58 well-written chapters by experts in their fields, the book covers aspects of Nigerian languages, linguistics, literatures and culture. The papers have not been categorized into sections; rather they flow, hence there is some overlapping in the arrangement. The book is an essential resource for all who are interested to learn about current trends in the study of languages, linguistics and related subject-matters in Nigeria.

Bringing Our Languages Home
Bringing Our Languages Home

Author: Leanne Hinton

Publisher: Heyday.ORIM

Published: 2013-03-01

Total Pages: 248

ISBN-13: 1597142247

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Thirteen personal accounts of endangered language preservation, plus a how-to guide for parents looking to do the same in their own home. Throughout the world individuals in the intimacy of their homes innovate, improvise, and struggle daily to pass on endangered languages to their children. Elaina Albers of Northern California holds a tape recorder up to her womb so her baby can hear old songs in Karuk. The Baldwin family of Montana put labels all over their house marked with the Miami words for common objects and activities, to keep the vocabulary present and fresh. In Massachusetts, at the birth of their first daughter, Jesse Little Doe Baird and her husband convince the obstetrician and nurses to remain silent so that the first words their baby hears in this world are Wampanoag. Thirteen autobiographical accounts of language revitalization, ranging from Irish Gaelic to Mohawk, Kawaiisu to Maori, are brought together by Leanne Hinton, professor emerita of linguistics at UC Berkeley, who for decades has been leading efforts to preserve the rich linguistic heritage of the world. Those seeking to save their language will find unique instruction in these pages; everyone who admires the human spirit will find abundant inspiration. Languages featured: Anishinaabemowin, Hawaiian, Irish, Karuk, Kawaiisu, Kypriaka, Maori, Miami, Mohawk, Scottish Gaelic, Wampanoag, Warlpiri, Yuchi “Practical and down to earth, philosophical and spiritual, Bringing Our Languages Home describes the challenges and joys of learning and passing on your language. It gives good detailed advice . . . Fantastic! I hope millions will read it!” —Tove Skutnabb-Kangas, Åbo Akademi University, Finland, emerita “This rare collection by scholar-activist Leanne Hinton brings forward deeply affecting accounts of families determined to sustain their languages amidst a sea of dominant-language pressures. The stories could only be told by those who have experienced the joys and challenges such an undertaking demands. Drawing lessons from these accounts, Hinton leaves readers with a wealth of language planning strategies. This powerful volume will long serve as a seminal resource for families, scholars, and language planners around the world.” —Teresa L. McCarty, George F. Kneller Chair in Education and Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles

Convergence: English and Nigerian Languages
Convergence: English and Nigerian Languages

Author: Ndimele, Ozo-mekuri

Publisher: M & J Grand Orbit Communications

Published: 2016-02-22

Total Pages: 922

ISBN-13: 9785412709

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The present volume, which is the 5th in the Nigerian Linguists Festschrift Series, is devoted to Professor Munzali A. Jibril, a celebrated icon in university administration, and an erudite Professor of English Linguistics. The title of this special edition was specifically chosen to crown Professor Jibril’s academic prowess in both English and indigenous Nigerian languages, and to mark and laud his official departure from active university lectureship. 72 assessed papers are included from the many submitted. Papers cover the main theme of the volume, i.e. the interaction between English and indigenous Nigerian languages, and there are a number of papers on other secular areas of linguistics such as: language and history, language planning and policy, language documentation, language engineering, lexicography, translation, gender studies, language acquisition, language teaching and learning, pragmatics, discourse and conversational analysis, and literature in English and African languages. There is also a rich section devoted to the major ‘traditional’ fields of linguistics - phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics.

Nigerian English
Nigerian English

Author: David Jowitt

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG

Published: 2018-11-05

Total Pages: 235

ISBN-13: 1501504509

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Although the past few decades have witnessed growing interest in varieties of English around the world, no study of the Nigerian variety intended for the international market has yet been published. Making use of well-known paradigms, the book will relate Nigerian English, as a ‘Second Language’ variety, to other World Englishes. Its chief overall concern, however, is to provide a detailed descriptive account of the variety, seeking to show what is distinctive about it and also, in this perspective, distinguishing between more educated and less educated usage. After giving a sociolinguistic profile of Nigeria, where English today enjoys a more prominent role than ever before, it will examine in turn the phonology, morpho-syntax, and lexico-semantics of Nigerian English, with samples of written texts from the eighteenth century to the present. It will also give a comprehensive summary of academic research carried out in the field over the past fifty years. In this way the book will provide an introduction to the subject for the benefit of scholars and students in universities in many countries, and will serve as a useful companion to other books in De Gruyter Mouton's Dialects of English series.

Atlas of the World's Languages
Atlas of the World's Languages

Author: R.E. Asher

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2018-04-19

Total Pages: 1009

ISBN-13: 1317851080

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Before the first appearance of the Atlas of the World's Languages in 1993, all the world's languages had never been accurately and completely mapped. The Atlas depicts the location of every known living language, including languages on the point of extinction. This fully revised edition of the Atlas offers: up-to-date research, some from fieldwork in early 2006 a general linguistic history of each section an overview of the genetic relations of the languages in each section statistical and sociolinguistic information a large number of new or completely updated maps further reading and a bibliography for each section a cross-referenced language index of over 6,000 languages. Presenting contributions from international scholars, covering over 6,000 languages and containing over 150 full-colour maps, the Atlas of the World's Languages is the definitive reference resource for every linguistic and reference library.

Four Decades in the Study of Nigerian Languages and Linguistics
Four Decades in the Study of Nigerian Languages and Linguistics

Author: Ndimele, Ozo-mekuri

Publisher: M & J Grand Orbit Communications

Published: 2019-03-31

Total Pages: 935

ISBN-13: 9785644006

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This volume is produced in commemoration of the official retirement of Professor Kay Williamson from the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The contributing essayists cover five main generations of Nigerian linguists. The collection is divided into six sections: Language, history and Society; Applied Linguistics and Orthography Design; Gender and Communication Studies; Stylistics and Literature; Pragmatics, Discourse Analysis and Translation; and Formal Linguistics. Some of the contributors include: Ayo Bamgbose, Okon Essie, Ben Elugbe, P.A. Nwachukwu, E.N. Emenanjo, P. Anagbogu, Chinyere Ohiri-Aniche, O.M. Ndimele, O.G. Harry, Levi Igwe, C.U. Omego, O. Ojukwu, A.U. Weje, O.N. Anyanwu and A. Idafuro.

The Limits of Grammaticalization
The Limits of Grammaticalization

Author: Anna Giacalone Ramat

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing

Published: 1998-01-01

Total Pages: 309

ISBN-13: 902722935X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The earliest use of the term “grammaticalization” was to refer to the process whereby lexical words of a language (such as English keep in “he keeps bees”) become grammatical forms (such as the auxiliary in “he keeps looking at me”). Changes of this kind, which involve semantic fading and a downshift from a major to a minor category, have generally been agreed to come under the heading of grammaticalization. But other changes that equally contribute to new grammatical forms do not involve this kind of fading. In recent years, a debate has arisen over how to constrain the term theoretically. Is grammaticalization to be distinguished from “lexicalization”, the creation and fixing of new words out of older patterns of compounding? If so, how is the line to be drawn between a form that is grammatical and one that is lexical? Should the term “grammaticalization” be extended to the study of the origins of grammatical constructions in general? If so, it will have to include broader issues such as word order change and the reanalysis of phrases. What principles govern these processes? Is grammaticalization a unidirectional event, or can change occur in the reverse direction? The authors of the papers in this volume approach these important questions from a variety of data types, including historical texts, creoles, and a typologically broad sample of modern and ancient languages.

Aspects of the Morphology-syntax Interface in Four Nigerian Languages
Aspects of the Morphology-syntax Interface in Four Nigerian Languages

Author: Gerald Heusing

Publisher: LIT Verlag Münster

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13: 9783825839178

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This study seeks to blend the rigorous description of four Nigerian languages with theoretical insights. Four main tasks are involved. First, constructions involving the interface of morphology and syntax in the four languages are presented with regard to the syntax of substantives and functional categories, the morphology of functional heads and the relation between functional heads and the syntactic level of language. Secondly, these constructions are described and analysed within the framework of the Principles and Parameters Theory. Thirdly, those theoretical approaches within the Principles and Parameters Theory that can serve as tools for the analysis of the four languages are refined and modified, thereby establishing a version of the theory which may also serve for the morpho-syntactic analysis of related languages. Finally the syntactic model of functional categories is combined with a strictly morpho-semantic model of functional categories.

Things Fall Apart
Things Fall Apart

Author: Chinua Achebe

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 1994-09-01

Total Pages: 226

ISBN-13: 0385474547

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

“A true classic of world literature . . . A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world.” —Barack Obama “African literature is incomplete and unthinkable without the works of Chinua Achebe.” —Toni Morrison Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read Things Fall Apart is the first of three novels in Chinua Achebe's critically acclaimed African Trilogy. It is a classic narrative about Africa's cataclysmic encounter with Europe as it establishes a colonial presence on the continent. Told through the fictional experiences of Okonkwo, a wealthy and fearless Igbo warrior of Umuofia in the late 1800s, Things Fall Apart explores one man's futile resistance to the devaluing of his Igbo traditions by British political andreligious forces and his despair as his community capitulates to the powerful new order. With more than 20 million copies sold and translated into fifty-seven languages, Things Fall Apart provides one of the most illuminating and permanent monuments to African experience. Achebe does not only capture life in a pre-colonial African village, he conveys the tragedy of the loss of that world while broadening our understanding of our contemporary realities.