THE SOCIOLINGUISTIC IMPLICATIONS OF LANGUAGE CONTACT: THE IGBO LANGUAGE EXAMPLE

AUTHOR: JIDEOFOR, EUPHEMIA CHINAZOM

DEPARTMENT: IGBO, AFRICAN AND ASIAN STUDIES

AFFILIATION: NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA

This research work investigates the sociolinguistic implications of language contact using the Igbo language as an example. The study is motivated by the need to restore the place of the Igbo language in the present situation where the language is being relegated to the background as a result of its contact with other languages. It also looks at the reason for language contact and its implication on the languages involved. For these to be achieved, previous theoretical and empirical literatures related to the study were reviewed. The research population consists of Igbo speakers living at Mkpọọ Agụ speech community. Data for the research were collected by adopting the survey research method. The instrument for data collection included oral interview and questionnaires. The data were interpreted using frequency, percentage and Likert’s four point rating scale. It is discovered that Igbo language has made contact with other languages such as English. As a result, the owners of the language engage in code mixing, code switching, excessive borrowing, bilingualism and multilingualism. The consequences of these negative implications if not checked is the endangerment of the Igbo language which will eventually lead to shifting, pidginization or the death of the language. The research is concluded based on the findings with summary, recommendations and suggestion for further studies.

TO VIEW THE FULL CONTENT OF THIS DOCUMENT, PLEASE VISIT THE UNIZIK LIBRARY WEBSITE USING THIS LINK, http://naulibrary.org/dglibrary/admin/book_directory/Thesis/10914.pdf

Advertisements

Tags: Bilingual Pattern-Immigration, Bilingualism-Advantages, Borrowing, Code-Switching, Drammaticl Borrowing-Five Condition, elite Bilinguals, Igbo Africa and Asian Language-Thesis-2012, Individual Bilingualism, Language, Language Contact, Migration, Morphological Level., Multilingualism, Multilingualism-Causes, Multilingualism-Problems, Nkpoo History, Phonological Level, Semantic Extension/Shift, Societal Bilingualism, Trade/Business Transactions