Issues in Language Choice: Focus on the Igbo-English Bilinguals
Keywords:
Language choice, language maintenance, language shift, language attitude, revitalizationAbstract
Many factors determine the choice of a given language in any multilingual situation. Among these factors are socioeconomic status, attitude towards languages, language proficiency, language preference, speech situation, and political factors. This work assesses, using Scotton's Markedness model, the factors that can influence the language choice and maintenance of Igbo speakers, considering the variables of location, age, sex, and occupation, assessing their attitudes and language preference with the resultant effects on them. What formed the data for this study is a questionnaire administered to one hundred (100) young and adult randomly selected IgboEnglish bilinguals in Umuahia metropolis and its neighboring rural areas. Data were analyzed using simple percentage. Results show that the location, age, sex and occupation of Igbo speakers greatly influence their language choice in any given domain and established negative attitudes and lack of value for Igbo language by the participants which invariably, gave way for hegemonic spread of the dominant language (English) over the native language. This paper finally calls for revalorization and conscious inter-generational transmission of Igbo language to the young ones to forestall total endangerment, and consequently, extinction.
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