Language loss, with its attendant consequences, has become a subject of
discussion among contemporary linguists across the globe. This thesis studied the
patterns of loss of the Benue-Congo languages in Niger State, Nigeria. Even though
language loss is caused largely by the imperialistic tendencies of ‘big’ and influential
languages, other variables like population and domains of use are probable factors
some of which are valid for the Benue-Congo languages under study. Benue-Congo
language group is a sub-family of the Niger-Congo family. Languages in this group are
genetically related exhibiting features like: tone, nasality and Subject-Verb-Object order
in basic sentences. The Benue-Congo languages are mostly found in West Africa. The
choice of the study area was informed by the plurilinguistic nature of the area and the
varying demographic pull of the languages there.
The objectives of this study were to investigate the factors that are responsible
for the loss of languages in Niger State in order to ascertain whether the loss has an
impact on the ethnic identities in the study area, investigate the patterns of loss of the
Benue-Congo languages spoken in that State and also propose measures that can be
taken to maintain the indigenous minority languages.
Edwards’ model for classifying endangered languages, with a little modification
by Grenoble and Whaley, was adopted for the study. The languages under study were
divided into five groups based on their sizes and use in certain domains. They are: the
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very large, large, medium-sized, small and very small language groups. The research
instruments used were questionnaire, interview and observation. A total of 4,500 copies
of the questionnaire were administered for the five language groups, which were
analyzed through simple statistical methods, i.e. percentage and frequency. Copies of
the questionnaire were distributed among young and adult speakers across the twentyfive
local government areas of the State. Illiterate respondents were assisted by the
research assistants who embarked on on-the-spot translation and interpretation of the
questionnaire.
The major findings of the study were the following:
1. the Benue-Congo languages in Niger State, such as: Lupa, Ingwai, Kaami,
Gelanci, Ura and Baangi are on the verge of extinction;
2. these languages manifest different stages of decay as the causative variables
do not work in a uniform way;
3. vital domains like home, market and worship centres, which are supposed to
be the strongholds of Mother Tongue (MT) are being encroached upon by
languages other than MT;
4. the loss of native languages is not to the English language only, but to
glocalised indigenous languages such as: Hausa, Gwari, Nupe and Kamuku;
and
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5. the adult speakers demonstrate good knowledge of the languages under
study, while the young speakers are less proficient.
The study concluded that the gradual loss of the languages under study is caused
in part by population, restricted domains of use, lack of commitment to indigenous
language use and development by the native speakers and suppressive language policy.
The researcher recommended, among other things, sensitization campaigns on the need
to maintain and sustain the indigenous languages by individuals and communities.