Language and Literature as Sociolinguistic Tools for Addressing Challenges of Diaspora Migration in Nigeria in the Digital Age

Abstract

This paper attempts to address the rapid increase of diasporan migration, which raises concerns about brain drain, social dislocation, identity challenges, and security issues associated with irregular migration in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The paper has presented language and literature as vital instruments of cultural bonding and policy mediation, and critically examines the challenges of diasporan migration, the branding of character, and the reshaping of diasporan experiences through literary works and social media interactions for the anticipated new Nigeria in the digital age. The major concern of this paper is the revalorisation of language and literature as a sociolinguistic catalyst for curbing diaspora vices, for peaceful coexistence and sustainable development. The paper has adopted the analytic method to present the challenges of diasporan migration and the roles of language and literature in leveraging these challenges. This research paper has equally adopted the Neo-classical Macro theory, which focuses on the labour market and different wages that attract a certain degree of movement and dislocation of people. We have adopted a sociolinguistic approach to examine the influence of the two dominant colonial languages, French and English, in Africa. It has been discovered that the linguistic proximity of most countries to Nigeria has softened the linguistic requirements for naturalization, which has accelerated the diasporan migration. The domineering effects of two colonial languages: English and French in Nigeria have preponderantly driven the country into a high rate of emigration. Language and literature have been considered in the paper as the sociolinguistic catalyst for reawakening the human consciousness against the preponderant effects of diasporan migration in Nigeria at the digital age. The study highlights the potential role of language and literature in promoting social awareness and sustainable development.