Family Language Frameworks and Preservation of Indigenous Language
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Date
2023
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Lead City University Ibadan
Abstract
It has become common practice among Nigerian parents to raise their children without teaching them
their indigenous languages which is now being seen as inferior to the English language. This has
cultural implication as each race is defined by their unique language, the loss of which may mean such
tribe has ceased to exist. This is a distinct possibility for indigenous languages in Nigeria unless effort is
made to preserve them. In line with this, this study examines the influence of language framework and
policy on the preservation of indigenous languages in Nigeria. The study adopts a mixed-method
research design. Both questionnaire and interview will be used for the purpose of data collection. The
population of the study consist of 150 primary school parents in three selected schools in Nigeria.
Questionnaire was used for data collection of which 128 were returned making 85.3% return rate. The
data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics, the hypothesis was tested using inferential
statistics. The study found that majority (68%) of the parents were women. Majority 74 (57.8%) of
children learnt to speak indigenous language by listening to his /her parents while majority 59 (46.1%)
praise their children when they speak indigenous language. Family language frameworks has
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significant (Adj.R =0.215, P=0.000) influence on language preservation. The study concluded that
homes, parents are the best platforms for inculcating indigenous languages into children. It is there
recommended that parents should encourage children in speaking indigenous language at home by
speaking to them.
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Keywords
Indigenous languages, Language preservation, language framework, language policy.