THE EFFECTS OF LANGUAGE DIVERSITY ON NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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Author

Presented To

Department of English and Linguistics

ABSTRACT

This research work focuses on the Effect of Language Diversity on National Development. It adopts descriptive and comparative approaches in analyzing the nature of Language and the policy situation in Nigeria, considering in clear terms the complex ethno linguistics setting. Sequel to the look warm attitudes of both governments over the years, the research therefore evaluates the value of an effective language policy and implementation to the development of nations across the globe.On the foregoing, the research identifies the low level of technology and science development in Nigeria as a product of purposelessness approaches in language policy making and implementation. The study observes that, little or no functional language policy exists in Nigeria even at the age of 50 years of independence.Recourse to this, Nigerian languages ought to be central to national development and should occupy an important place in the development discourse. In line with these and many more, the study recommends that urgent attention and responsibilities ought to be given to language experts (linguists) in making language policies and possible implementation strategies for the country. This research further advocates for a national language system, however, calls for the adoption of respective indigenous languages for vocational training at their given speech communities. The Nigerian Pidgin English has the likely majority of speakers and need to be developed to the status of a national language alongside English. These positions can only be achieved if our central policy maker (government) is sincere with the reality on ground and avoid mere political interest and propaganda.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page-       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           i

Declaration      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           ii

Certification -  -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           iii

Dedication-     -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           iv

Acknowledgment-      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           v

Abstract-         -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           vi

Table of content -        -           -           -           -           -           -           -           vii-viii

CHAPTER ONE

1.1       background of the study -      -           -           -           -           -           1         

1.2       Statement of the problem       -           -           -           -           -           2

1.3       Hypothesis      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           2

1.4       Aims of the Study      -           -           -           -           -           -           2

1.5       Scope and Delimitation of the study  -           -           -           -           3

1.6       Significance of the Study       -           -           -           -           -           3

1.7       Methodology of the Study     -           -           -           -           -           3

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1       Introduction    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           4-5

2.2       Meaning of Language -           -           -           -           -           -           5-8

2.3       Characteristics of Language   -           -           -           -           -           8

2.3.1    Language is a system of speech sound           -           -           -           8

2.3.2    It is acquired from childhood             -           -           -           -           -           8

2.3.3    Language is dynamic  -           -           -           -           -           -           9

2.3.4    It is conventional        -           -           -           -           -           -           9

2.3.5    it is complex and systematic   -           -           -           -           -           9-10

2.4       Multilingualism (Language Diversity)            -           -           -           10-13

2.4.1    Plurality (Origin)         -           -           -           -           -           -           14-15

2.5       Strengths and Weaknesses of Language Diversity   -                        -           15-16

2.6       National Development –(Different View)      -           -           -           16-18

2.7       National Language     -           -           -           -           -           -           18-21

2.8       Theoretical frame Work          -           -           -           -           -           21-23

CHAPTER THREE: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

3.0       Introduction    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           24

3.1       Methodology -           -           -           -           -           -           -           24-25  

3.2       Data Analysis -           -           -           -           -           -           -           25-27

3.3       Research findings       -           -           -           -           -           -           27-28

3.4       Strength of findings    -           -           -           -           -           -           28

3.5       Weakness of findings.            -           -           -           -           -           28

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1       Summary         -           -           -           -           -           -           -           29

4.2       Conclusion      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           29

4.3       Recommendation        -           -           -           -           -           -           30-31

WORK CITED         -           -           -           -           -           -           -           32-34

APPENDIX   -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           35

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Human Beings are social animals and language is an instrument of the society which is acculturated into a given society. Through the instrumentality of language, man identifies and make finding about his environment.

Thus, language, in the hand of man preserves, conserves, transmits and appropriates functions and does so across space and time, thereby enabling him to overcome those physical limitations to human endeavours and achievements.

Armed with his linguistic tool, man appropriates all that others before him have acquired, persuades and convince others to his line of reasoning and action, deceives and dominates others, controls his entire environment and exploits whatever is found therein, and also achieves as much as it is within his capacity.

The problems of man's development and growth become increasingly complex and intricate when the individual is not monolingual and mono-cultural. The failure of any development programme becomes greater and more dismal when the individual has got to operate within a multilingual and multi-cultural community. It is these problems which Nigeria encounters as a result of her multilingual and multi-cultural composition that this research intends to highlight. At the end of the exercise solutions will be proffered in order to help solve the challenges we have as country.

1.1       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Inspite of all efforts to unite and develop society such as Nigeria politically, economically and socially, the state remains an under developed state. This is due to her multilingual and multicultural nature. Language pluralism has generated a lot of problems in the state. Prominent among them include;

The communication gap between the various people, each sees his own language as important, thus creating an impediment to commerce and industry. A warped sense of nationhood whereby genuine unity becomes difficult due to suspicion as various ethnic groups pursue selfish and sectional interests. Picking a national language that is acceptable to the people therefore, becomes difficult.        

1.2       HYPOTHESIS

The hypotheses of study are

(a)     Language is a hindrance to national unity

(b)        Language is an instrument for National development

(c)        How is language diversity a deciding factor toward national development?

1.3       AIMS OF THE STUDY

The aim of the research is to discover the effect of linguistic plurality in a given multi-ethnic society like Nigeria, particularly in Nasarawa State where I live and the University of Abuja where I school. It  also intends to prove the success or failure of any society. And if language diversity has helped in national growth and development, such as economic, social, political, religious growth, and educational advancement of mankind. The study also hopes to attempt in resolving the issue of “lingua Franca”

1.4       SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the research is on the use of language to achieve national development especially in a multilingual environment which is delimited to the sociolinguistics of language and society.

1.5       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The importance of this study is that it will showcase how to promote ethnic harmony among all linguistically and ethnically diverse communities in Nigeria. The study is also significant because it will contribute to many of the existing works in this regard especially for both academic and social utilization respectively. It is also significant because it will provide the picture of the issue in question from the perspective of a university community.

1.6       METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

The methodology of the research is empirical in nature, in which the researcher intends to administer questionnaire as well as an observation within the chosen area of the study being University of Abuja, FCT

The respondents to be administered with the questionnaire are selected through single random selection method of one out of every ten respondents in the delimited areas of the research.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1       INTRODUCTION

The inadequate level of attention that has often been given to the language situation in Nigeria tends to reflect on the level of general development. Nigeria is one of the countries with the largest number of indigenous languages. This situation should be seen as blessings rather than a curse. Contrary to this expectation, countries of this nature has rather turned into ethnic and religious struggles.

Considering the multilingual and cultural differences, the issue, of adopting an indigenous national language in Nigeria is described as complex in reality. The relevance of language to development of any society cannot be over emphasized.Development cannot be achieved in any society unless the linguistics reality of such a society is put into play.

It is evident that different languages in Nigeria coexisted in peace before the advent of the colonial masters which brought together the diverse socio-cultural, backgrounds into one fold through the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914. This act resulted into the imposition of English language as an official language in Nigeria Adenipekun, (2010).

In reality, there are two possible reasons that neglect language issues. The first reason is that development is often conceived of in a rather narrow turn to the calculation of the Gross Domestic Product and Gross National Product and other economics metrics of income.

The consequence of this quantitative approach to development are that economic indicators are often erroneously equated with national development and societal well-being. In this narrow sense, the role of language in national development may rather be seen as a bit too marginal to be taken into reality.

The second challenge is why the language issue has not featured well in Nigeria’s development discourse. This is as a result of the nature and role of language in the society which is often completely misunderstood. Probably, it may be from the irresponsible declarations of some Nigeria writers and intellectuals. However, Nigerian languages can be used for effective expressions, irrespective of the diverse cultural situation.

Contesting all these positions and challenges, this chapter therefore reviews the concept of “Multilingualism” and other concepts relevant to the topic of the research. It covers; Meaning of Language, Characteristics of Language, Strengths and Weakness of Language Diversity, National Development, National Language and Theoretical Framework.

2.2       MEANING OF LANGUAGE  

Language is considered to be a system of communicating with people using sounds, symbols and words in expressing a meaning, idea or thought. Language can be used in many forms, primarily through oral and written communications as well as using expressions through body language.Many animals and even plant species communicate with each other. Humans are not unique in this capability.

Language is the means by which man communicates his thoughts and ideas. It is man's most efficient means of communication it is central