please nairaland linguist, what are the linguistic issues in Nigeria

Linguistic Issues in Multilingual Nations
Despite the resourcefulness of multilingualism and linguistic diversity, it is not devoid of specific linguistic challenges and issues. The management and maintenance of linguistic diversity and multilingualism is complex and it involves political, legislative, social, linguistic, psychological and administrative issues. Multilingual nations often have to grapple with problems of language contact and change, choice of national and official language(s), language policy on education, safeguarding minority languages, language functions and roles, language curriculum design and planning, language planning and policy; and language maintenance and revitalisation. With specific reference to Nigeria, some of the major challenges of multilingualism are discussed below:
1. Lack of comprehensive and deliberate language policy in Nigeria
In Nigeria, for example, Oyetade (2003:105) highlights different chal- lenges and issues that are associated with language policy and planning in Nigeria. One of the language issues has been the lack of comprehen- sive, deliberate and planned exercise of language policy in Nigeria. “Language policy as an organised and systematic pursuit of solution to language problems remained largely peripheral to the mainstream of na- tional language.” Nigeria’s language policy emerged out of national concerns such as the development of a National Policy on Education and the drafting of the Constitution for the country. Nigeria can only boast of a national language policy with reference to these documents – the Na- tional Policy on Education and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The existing attempts at language policy making in Nigeria have only given recognition and prominence to the three major languages – Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. The overt recognition includes the provision in section 1, paragraph 8 of the National Policy on Education (1981; 2004) that “in the interest of national unity, every child should learn one of the three major languages in addition to his own.” In addition, it is entrenched in the 1979 Constitution in section 51 and 91, and also repeated in sections 55 and 97 of the 1999 Constitution that: “The business of the National Assembly shall be conducted in English and in Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba when adequate arrangements have been made therefore. The business of the House of Assembly shall be conducted in English, but the house may in addition to English conduct the business of the House in one or more other languages spoken in the State as the House may by resolu- tion…”
2. Lack of Implementation of (Language) Policy Statements
Another language issue identified in Nigeria is lack of implementation of policy statements. Indeed, scholars (Oyedeji, 1997; Abioye, 2010) have observed a persistent pattern in government’s attitude. Abioye (2010: p. 99) has even argued that:
Government has consistently exhibited lack of political commitment by paying lip service to its policies rather than actively encouraging and backing the implementation of these. Also, misplaced priorities have seriously affected education in Nigeria as government spends extravagantly on sports and politics whereas projects and policies are poorly implemented/completed, sometimes diverted, inadequately monitored or even abandoned and subsequently forgotten. Indeed, in most cases, educational policies are sometimes personalized and used in scoring cheap political goals or in settling scores.
Until now, the 1979 Constitutional provision for the use of the three major languages in the National Assembly has not been implemented. The English language is mainly used for the business of the National Assembly. Minority/majority language dichotomy has generated language or ethnic loyalty among Nigeria’s minority language speakers. There is prevalent phobia that the recognition given to Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba is an attempt to make the minority languages subservient to the speakers of these dominant languages politically, socially and economically. Oyetade (2003) suggests that language policy and planning efforts can be hinged on a well-articulated ideology, and all other aspects of our national life must be in conformity with this ideology.
3. Controversy on the Need for an Indigenous National Language
Another obvious language/linguistic issue in Nigeria is the problem of the choice of a national language among various indigenous and exogenous languages in multilingual Nigeria. Nigeria’s dense multilingualism, multiculturalism and multi-ethnicity pose a huge challenge in the desire and effort to choose a national language. Due to the existing roles of English, some people suggest English as the appropriate nation- al language while also pointing to inadequacies noticed in Nigeria’s indigenous languages. Kebby (1986) argues that: “No Nigerian language can serve scientific and technological needs ... because none is complete.”
However, some Nigerians have advanced the need for an indigenous Nigerian language as national language because of certain reasons: nation- al consciousness, unity and pride. A break away with English will justify Nigeria’s claim for political independence, put an end to the elitist society that English has created and the choice of an indigenous language will facilitate national integration as all members of the country speak the same national language. Olagoke (1982) argues: “There are many Nigerians who feel strongly that the country needs a “lingua franca” other than English, not only to foster national unity but also to facilitate self-discovery and pride convincing the world and ourselves that we are truly independent of Britain.”
The proposition to choose an indigenous language as a national language is laudable, but the question is the choice of national language among the many Nigerian languages. Attah (1987) identifies one of the paradoxes of the national language question. He notes that while many Nigerians express a desire for a national language other than English, few are convinced of the need to choose a language other than their own. The proponents of the national language therefore may be divided into three major camps based on their preferences/choices. First are those who want the national language to come from the major Nigerian languages. Second are those who reject the candidacy of the major languages and opt, instead, for a minor language preferably one of these languages – Kanuri, Fulani, Tiv and Edo. Third are those who prefer an entirely new language created by mixing three or more of the existing Nigerian languages so that it would be neutral and no ethnic group would lay claim to it. Different names have been suggested for the pro- posed new language; some people would want to call it WAZOBIA formed by integrating the three major languages - Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba. In fact, “WA,” “ZO,” and “BIA” - Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo words respectively - meaning “come.” But Igbeneweka (1983) cited in Attah (1987), who had constructed a new language by combining different local languages in the country, would want to call it “GUOSA.”
According to Oyetade (2003), three major dimensions are usually focused upon: national integration, education and national development (see Bamgbose 1976, 1985, 1990; Elugbe 1985; Adeniran 1993, 1995; Oyelaran 1990; Oyetade 1992, 1993; Essien 1990; Oladejo 1991; Akin- naso 1991; and Iwara 1993). These studies have invariably come up with a variety of conclusions and recommendations. For instance, some scholars have recommended the one language option for the purpose of national integration. The languages frequently recommended have been English, Hausa, Pidgin, Swahili, and even a purposefully “created” artificial language. The assumed “benefits” of each of them and the associated problems are discussed in Bamgbose (1985). Proponents of the multilingual approach have supported the elevation of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba or as many languages as possible to the status of national languages.

For ur mind now you've answer the question when u know that the Lecturer told us not to use his own handout....kai!.....yusuuuf there is God ooo

I copied it from National Open University.

Lolz.....*re you guys undergraduates of linguistics and please what school?...I am a graduate of linguistics and hopefully will enoll for masters at Ui this july

babyfaceafrica:
Lolz.....*re you guys undergraduates of linguistics and please what school?...I am a graduate of linguistics and hopefully will enoll for masters at Ui this july

Fudma....katsina state

Makanjuolaa:



Fudma....katsina state

nice..what year?...which do u like most syntax,phonology.morphology or sociolinguistics.....most people lke semantics so I ignored it

babyfaceafrica:
nice..what year?...which do u like most syntax,phonology.morphology or sociolinguistics.....most people lke semantics so I ignored it

sociolinguistics... 400level

Makanjuolaa:
sociolinguistics... 400level

nice one..wish u well

babyfaceafrica:
nice one..wish u well

thanks