DEPARTMENT OF LINGUISTICS

FACULTY OF ART
UNIVERSITY OF BENIN
BENIN CITY

PRESENTATION

ON

LANGUAGE ENDANGERMENT

COURSE CODE: LST 321

COURSE TITLE: SOCIO-LINGUISTICS

NOVEMBER, 2024

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 GROUP MEMBERS

S/N NAME MAT. NUMBER

1 EZENEME IFEANYICHUKWU BENJAMIN ART2100766
2 UZONDU CHUKWUEMIKA MICHAEL ART2100855
3 EZE ESTHER CHIOMA ART2100764
4 ASINDU CHIDERA JENNIFER ART2100732
5 UCHENNABUGO EMMANUELLA ONYINYECHI ART2100850
6 DUMBI OMEOGOR ENAEFEME ART2100746
7 USINO PEACE TEMIDAYO ART2100852

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction: Language endangerment

Definition

Examples of endangered languages

Causes of Language Endangerment

Consequences/effects of Language Endangerment

Solutions to Language Endangerment

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INTRODUCTION

An endangered language is a language that it is at risk of falling out of use, generally because it

has few surviving speakers. If it loses all of its native people, it becomes an extinct language.

UNESCO defines four levels of language endangerment between "safe" (not endangered) and

"extinct":

Vulnerable

Definitely endangered

Severely endangered

Critically endangered

Language is a complex, symbolic communication system that enables humans to convey

meaning, express thoughts, and connect with others.

The first step towards language death is potential endangerment. This is when a language faces

strong external pressure, but there are still communities of speakers who pass the language to

their children. The second stage is endangerment. Once a language has reached the

endangerment stage, there are only a few speakers left and children are, for the most part, not

learning the language. The third stage of language extinction is seriously endangered. During this

stage, a language is unlikely to survive another generation and will soon be extinct. The fourth

stage is moribund, followed by the fifth stage extinction.

Language Endangerment

Definition: An endangered language or moribund language is a language that is at risk of

disappearing as it's speakers die out or shift to speaking other language. Due to this effect

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language lose is likely to occur, this occurs when the language has no more native speakers and

becomes a dead language, if no one can speak the language. Though a dead language can be

studied through recordings or writing but still it is a dead language or an extinct language unless

there are Fluent speakers. This made it one if the crucial factors that can prevent a language

from been endangered, having Fluent speakers who can pass it on to the next generation. More

than 50% of the world endangered language are located in just eight countries which includes

India

Brazil

Mexico

Australia

Indonesia

Nigeria

Papua New

Guinea

Cameron

Among all these countries listed above our major focus of study is African languages that faces

the threat of going on extinction e.g Nigeria language as listed before, factors that contribute

types of these languages consequence examples with possible solutions

Meaning of Language Endangerment

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An endangered language is a language that is at risk of extinction, meaning it is likely to

disappear in the near future.

Language endangered language or moribund language is a language tht is at risk of disappearing

as it speakers die or shift of speaking other language

Language shift: it is a case I which ethnic group members no longer learn their heritage language

as their first language. It occurs when speakers switch to a language associated with social or

economic power.

Some examples of endangered languages:

Ainu: This language, spoken by the indigenous Ainu people of Japan, is critically endangered,

with only a few elderly speakers remaining.

Koro: This language, spoken by a small community in India, is critically endangered with only

about 800 speakers left.

Yuchi: This language, spoken by the Yuchi people in the United States, is critically endangered

with only a handful of fluent speakers remaining.

Wukchumni: This language, spoken by the Wukchumni people in California, is critically

endangered with only a few elderly speakers remaining.

Urarina: This language, spoken by the Urarina people in Peru, is critically endangered with

only about 200 speakers remaining.

These are just a few more examples of the many endangered languages around the world. The

loss of these languages represents a significant loss of cultural heritage and linguistic diversity.

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Some examples of endangered languages in Nigeria are:

Ake: Spoken in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, this language is critically endangered with less than

2,000 native speakers.

Alago: Spoken in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, this language is endangered with about 15,000

native speakers.

Bade: Spoken in Yobe State, Nigeria, this language is vulnerable with about 250,000 native

speakers.

Bakpinka: Spoken in Cross River State, Nigeria, this language is endangered with about 4,000

native speakers.

Centuum: Spoken in Gombe State, Nigeria, this language is critically endangered with less than

100 native speakers.

Yoruba-Egba (Nigeria) is spoken by around 100,000 people

Shuwa (Ethiopia) is spoken by around 500 people

Ongota (Tanzania) is spoken by around 200 people

Gumuz (Ethiopia) spoken by around 200,000 people

Elmolo (Kenya) is spoken by approximately 1,000 people

Ambo, Amkoe, Anfillo, Animere, and Argobba are languages spoken in various parts of Africa,

including Nigeria, Namibia, South Sudan, Cameroon, and Ethiopia. These languages are facing

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extinction due to factors like globalization, urbanization, and the dominance of more widely

spoken languages.

Ake, Alago, Bade, Bakpinka, and Centuum are languages spoken in Nigeria, particularly in the

northern and central parts of the country. These languages are endangered due to factors like

language shift, lack of education in the language, and social pressures.

Piti, Mambila, Kam, Boki, and Efik are languages spoken in Nigeria and Cameroon. These

languages are facing threats such as globalization, urbanization, and the dominance of English

and French.

Causes of Language Endangerment

1. Cultural, Political, or Economic Marginalization:

When a language is not valued or supported by the dominant society, it can lead to a decline in

its use. Lack of opportunities for language use in education, media, or government.

2. Assimilation:

When speakers of a minority language are pressured to adopt the dominant language. This can be

due to policies, social pressures, or a desire for economic or social advancement.

3. Lack of Intergenerational Transmission:

If children are not raised speaking their parents' language, it can lead to the language dying out.

This can be due to parents not speaking the language themselves, or due to a lack of

opportunities for children to use the language.

4. Negative Attitudes Towards the Language:

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If a language is stigmatized or seen as inferior, it can discourage people from using it. This can

be due to historical factors, or to the perception that the language is not "modern" or

"sophisticated."

5. Lack of Resources and Support:

If a language does not have access to resources like dictionaries, grammars, and educational

materials, it can be difficult to maintain. This can be due to a lack of funding, or to a lack of

interest from governments or educational institutions.

6. Globalization and Urbanization:

The spread of global languages and the migration of people to urban areas can lead to the decline

of minority languages.

This can be due to the increased use of global languages in media, education, and business, or to

the loss of traditional communities where minority languages are spoken.

Effects of language of Endangerment:

A majority of linguists do consider that language loss is an ethical problem as they consider that

most communities would prefer to maintain their languages if given a real choice, as well as a

scientific problem, because language loss on the scale currently taking place will mean that

future linguists will only have access to a fraction of the world's linguistic diversity, and will

therefore have a skewed picture of what human language is and can be.

Language endangerment affects both the languages themselves and the people that speak them.

Effects on Communities:

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As communities lose their language they often also lose parts of their cultural traditions which

are tied to that language, such as songs, myths and poetry that are not easily transferred to

another language. This may in turn affect their sense of identity, producing a weakened social

cohesion as their values and traditions are replaced with new ones. This is sometimes

characterized as anomie. Losing a language may also have political consequences as some

countries confer different political statuses or privileges on minority ethnic groups, often

defining ethnicity in terms of language. That means that communities that lose their language

may also lose political legitimacy as a community with special collective rights.

Effects on Languages:

During language loss — sometimes referred to as obsolescence in the linguistic literature — the

language that is being lost generally undergoes changes as speakers make their language more

similar to the language that they are shifting to. For example, gradually losing grammatical or

phonological complexities that are not found in the dominant language.

Loss of Cultural Traditions: When a community loses its language, it can also lose the cultural

traditions associated with it, such as songs, myths, and local remedies that are not easily

transferred to another language. This may in turn affect their sense of identity, producing a

weakened social cohesion as their values and traditions are replaced with new ones.

Loss of knowledge: The knowledge associated with an endangered language can be lost forever.

Changes to the language: As a language becomes endangered, speakers may change it to make

it more similar to the language they are shifting to. This can include losing grammatical or

phonological complexities that are not found in the dominant language.

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Imposed superiority: Users of the preferred language may feel superior to those who speak the

endangered language.

Denial of identity: Some groups may deny their identity as a result of language endangerment.

Language endangerment can be influenced by multiple factors, including:

External setting: The cultural, sociopolitical, and historical processes that pressure a community

to shift languages.

Speech behavior: The sociolinguistic aspects of how variable use changes.

Structural consequences: Changes in phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexicon within the

endangered language.

SOLUTION TO LANGUAGE ENDANGERMENT USING NIGERIA AS A CASE

STUDY
Language endangerment is a significant issue in Nigeria, a country with over 500 indigenous

languages, many of which face the threat of extinction due to a combination of factors like

globalization, urban migration, and the dominance of English. Protecting these languages is

essential, not only for preserving cultural identity but also for sustaining local knowledge

systems. Here are some solutions to tackle language endangerment in Nigeria:

1. Incorporate Indigenous Languages into Education Systems

One of the most effective ways to preserve endangered languages is by integrating them into the

education curriculum. The National Policy on Education advocates for mother tongue instruction

in early schooling, but this is often poorly implemented. If local languages are systematically

taught from the primary level, children will develop literacy skills in their native tongues. For

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example, Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa have some presence in the curriculum, but more can be done

to include other Nigerian languages to prevent them from fading away.

Teacher Training: Training teachers to effectively teach in indigenous languages would build a

stronger foundation for language preservation.

Cultural Studies Programs: Establishing school clubs or programs dedicated to the study of

indigenous languages and cultures could enhance students' interest in their linguistic heritage.

2. Encourage Community Involvement and Language Transmission at Home

Language preservation begins at home. Encouraging parents and guardians to use indigenous

languages with their children is a simple but powerful step. Many young Nigerians grow up

speaking primarily English or Pidgin, even in rural areas. However, if parents consistently

communicate with their children in their native language, the chances of transmission increase

significantly.

Community Language Days: Communities could organize language days where people are

encouraged to speak only in their native tongue, promoting immersion and engagement.

Storytelling and Oral Tradition: Older generations can share folklore, proverbs, and stories in

local languages, which serve both as a teaching tool and a cultural heritage practice.

3. Use of Technology and Digital Platforms

In this digital age, using technology is an excellent way to revitalize endangered languages.

Mobile apps, language learning websites, social media, and even YouTube can provide resources

for learning and sharing indigenous languages. For instance, there are online dictionaries and

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mobile applications available in Yoruba and Igbo. Extending this to other Nigerian languages

can help young people who are digital natives learn and connect with their linguistic roots.

Language Apps and Websites: Developing user-friendly applications and websites dedicated to

Nigerian languages with interactive lessons, audio guides, and quizzes.

Social Media Language Campaigns: A campaign on popular platforms like Twitter, Facebook,

or Instagram where influencers and regular users engage in indigenous languages could

popularize usage among the youth.

4. Documentation and Archiving of Indigenous Languages

Linguists and cultural organizations can work together to document and archive Nigerian

languages, especially those at high risk of extinction. This process involves recording native

speakers, compiling dictionaries, grammar guides, and creating audio and visual resources.

When a language is properly documented, it can always be revived and taught to future

generations.

How these solutions can be implemented

Digital Archives: Creating a central, accessible digital archive for Nigerian languages that

includes recorded conversations, written texts, and vocabulary lists.

Collaboration with Universities: Nigerian universities can establish linguistics and

anthropology departments focused on researching and documenting endangered languages.

5. Government Support and Cultural Policies

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Government policies are critical in addressing language endangerment. The Nigerian

government could set up agencies focused on language preservation and offer grants or

incentives for projects aimed at revitalizing endangered languages. Additionally, recognizing and

celebrating indigenous languages in national events can help normalize their usage and elevate

their status.

National Language Preservation Fund: The government could establish a fund to support

community-led language projects and research.

Recognition in Official Media: Encouraging the use of indigenous languages in state-owned

media and public service announcements would increase visibility and pride in local languages.

6. Encourage Literature, Media, and Entertainment in Indigenous Languages

Promoting literature, music, movies, and TV shows in indigenous languages can increase their

appeal, especially among young Nigerians. There is a market for content that showcases local

languages, and the entertainment industry can play a pivotal role in language preservation.

Literature and Books: Schools and local libraries could be encouraged to stock books written in

local languages, promoting literacy in indigenous languages.

Movies and Music: Filmmakers and musicians can create content that incorporates indigenous

languages. Nollywood, for instance, could feature more regional movies in languages other than

English.

Preserving Nigerian languages in summary requires a multifaceted approach that brings together

the government, educational institutions, communities, and the private sector. By combining

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educational initiatives, technological tools, community efforts, and governmental support,

Nigeria can prevent the erosion of its linguistic diversity and foster a new generation that values

and speaks its indigenous languages. Language is the bedrock of cultural identity, and in a

country as diverse as Nigeria, preserving that identity is crucial for unity, pride, and progress.

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