Preview

Place of Bilingualism in Nigeria

Best Essays
Open Document
Open Document
3740 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Place of Bilingualism in Nigeria
The Practice of Bilingualism in Nigeria: Factors That Encourage Bilingualism – Before, During and After the Colonial Era
A Term Paper Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements of the Course:
ENG 503: Bilingualism and Multilingualism
June 2010
By
Emmanuel U. Dimike
2009026016F
Dimike, 2
INTRODUCTION
In the world today, the number of people who use more than one language is greater than the number of people who use only one language. This study focuses on these people with more than one language, especially in Nigeria – Do such people exist in Nigeria? What factors encourage the use of more than one language by individuals in Nigeria?
BILINGUALISM
People who use more than one language are said to be “bilinguals”. Where such people use more than two languages, they are called “multilinguals”
What is Bilingualism?
According to Anyanwu, “the term „bilingualism‟ means the existence of two languages in the repertoire of an individual or a speech community.” Whenever two languages come in contact within an individual or a community such an individual or host community inevitably becomes bilingual (Crystal). This means that bilingualism exists at two different levels: the level of the individual and the society. This study will consider both individual and societal bilingualism.
Ogunkeye sees a bilingual as an individual who can use at least two languages comfortably, with varying degrees of competence (6). A bilingual is therefore a person who understands a second language in addition to his first language.
Dimike, 3
Effects of Bilingualism
In the first place, it should be noted, “languages in contact are often languages in competition and there is no language contact without language conflict” (Igboanusi & Oha 125). With this knowledge in mind, it should not surprise us to learn that in the past, many linguists concluded that bilingualism had a negative effect on the language capabilities of bilinguals. Bernstein posits, “A bilingual is always at a disadvantage


Cited: Achebe, Chinua. Arrow of God. London: Heinemann, 1964. Adegbija, E. E. Language Attitudes in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Sociolinguistic Overview. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters Ltd, 1994. ---. “The National Language Question and Minority Language Rights in Africa: A Nigerian Case Study.” Eds. Cohen, G. Hyden and W. Nagan. Human Rights and Governance in Africa. Gainesville: UP of Florida, 1993. 191-214. Awobuluyi, O. The New National Policy on Education in Linguistic Perspective. Ilorin: U of Ilorin P, 1979. Crystal, David. The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Language, Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1997. Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ministry of Information. Federal Republic of Nigeria Revised National Policy on Education. Lagos: Federal Ministry of Information, 1989. Grimes, B.F., ed. Ethnologue: Languages of the World. 14th ed. SIL International, 2000. Igboanusi, Herbert, and Isaac Oha. “Language Conflict in Nigeria: the Perspective of Linguistic Minorities.” Language Attitude and Language Conflict in West Africa. Ed. Herbert Igboanusi. Ibadan: Enicrownfit, 2001. Ihemere, Kelechukwu. A Tri-Generational Study of Language Choice and Shift in Port Harcourt. Port Harcourt: Universal Publishers, 2007. Lyons, J. Language and Linguistics: An Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1981. Odumuh, Adama. Nigerian English. Zaria: Ahmadu Bello UP, 1987. Wolf, Ekkehard H. “Language and society.” African languages: An introduction. Eds. B. Heine and D. Nurse. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2000. 298-347.
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Why Is Important to Be Bilingual?
    • 314 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Why Is Important to Be Bilingual?

    * When bilingual learners also become biliterate (that is, able to read and write well in two languages), they are known to achieve extremely well in education, often better than their monolingual…

    • 314 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Cultural Interview: Temitayo Bolaji
    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Cultural Interview: Temitayo Bolaji

    Temitayo Bolaji, born Temitayo Ladenika, was raised in the city Ibadan in Nigeria, West Africa. Ibadan is located in southwestern Nigeria and is reputed to be the largest indigenous city in Africa (The postgraduate school - home, n.d.). There are over two hundred and fifty different ethno-linguistic groups in Nigeria but the three largest are in the Hausa-Fulani in the north, the Yoruba in the southwest, and the Igbo in the south East. (Lemieux, 2011) Temitayo identified her “tribe” as the Yoruba.…

    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Ece 315
    • 1996 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Ece 315

    In America, there is a predominant growth in multiple ethnicities and cultural backgrounds; leading to the usage of multiple languages in the American culture. There is a growing need for many people to learn and utilize multiple languages within the workplace and within one 's own personal life. The importance of bilingualism and the knowledge of multiple languages is ever increasing, and therefore becoming more important for the younger generations. The push for knowing multiple languages and becoming bilingual has many potential negative and positive effects.…

    • 1996 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    The Pros And Cons Of Bilingual Education
    • 1241 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Pros And Cons Of Bilingual Education

    Bilingualism has become very popular within the last couple of years. It is growing into society everyday, making it second nature to some people. In fact there are actually more bilingual individuals around the world compared to monolingual, suggesting that many countries are bilingual (Bialystok et al., 2012). A bilingual individual is defined by society as being able to fluently speak two languages (Woolfolk et al., 2012). Contrastingly, a monolingual individual is defined as only being able to speak one language, which is often called the mother tongue (Woolfolk et al., 2012).…

    • 1241 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Cafs Irp
    • 987 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Cafs Irp

    In my opinion bilingualism plays a major role in the educational development of children. This is because research has shown that children who are fluent in their home language are more successful in learning a second language. Furthermore, being bilingual offers greater sensitivity to language, more flexibility in thinking and better ear for listening. It also improves a child’s understanding for the native language. Moreover, knowledge of other languages increases a career of opportunities offering several job options.…

    • 987 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    English Should Be the First Language in the U.S.A
    • 1587 Words
    • 5 Pages

    English Should Be the First Language in the U.S.A

    Think about the Internet technology, the world we live now has become a village because of it. The Internet makes everyone interconnected by following a set of clear-stated standardized rules. Just like the Internet, a common language also has such power. In another word, it`s a “unifying force” according to S. I. Hayakawa(you need to cite him here). In his essay “Bilingualism in America: English Should Be the Only Language”, Hayakawa starts with the example of the new generations of Chinese and Japanese immigrants in California to show the “amicable results of sharing the English language” (575). The two original groups of immigrants who speak different languages used to be at odds with each other, but new generations get along well by sharing English. There is no doubt that a common language makes efficient communication possible and helps to create a perception of affiliation.…

    • 1587 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Benefits of Being Bilingual
    • 536 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Benefits of Being Bilingual

    Every person knows one language, which is the language that you learn during your childhood. In “My Spanish Standoff,” Kuntz writes, “my daughter is frustrated by the fact that I’m bilingual and have purposely declined to teach her to speak Spanish, my native tongue.” The information given as well as the information in “English Only, but Where” and “English-Only Classrooms,” has been brought to my attention that being bilingual has advantages. Language is very important in today’s multi-cultural society. Being bilingual leaves people with intellectual growth, greater appreciation to language/culture, and a better ear for listening.…

    • 536 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    The Negative Effects of Imperialism in Nigeria (it's possible to go into more detail, but my pages were limited to this many)
    • 1555 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Negative Effects of Imperialism in Nigeria (it's possible to go into more detail, but my pages were limited to this many)

    Wakerly, Veronique, “The Status of European Languages in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Journal of European Studies vol. 94 (1994): 1 page.…

    • 1555 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Interview with a Bilingual
    • 1918 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Interview with a Bilingual

    Bilingualism may be defined as having some ability to use two or more languages. However, there are degrees of bilingualism and various ways to become bilingual. According to Halsband (2006), infants who are exposed to two languages from birth will become simultaneous bilinguals. In contrast, consecutive or successive bilingualism refers to the learning of one language after already knowing another. This is the situation for all those who become bilingual as adults, as well as for many who became bilingual earlier in life.…

    • 1918 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Bilingual Education
    • 732 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Bilingual Education

    The objective of bilingual education is to insure students will not fall behind academically because of a poor ability to speak English, and to gradually teach them English as a second language. If minority students were taught some subjects in their native tongue, proponents insist they could possibly learn English, without sacrificing content knowledge (Education). With bilingual education, children can have the advantages of advanced first language development. Therefore, bilingual education should be provided to students, who are not proficient with the English language.…

    • 732 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Being Bilingual Research Paper
    • 271 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Being Bilingual Research Paper

    The world has become a small village. People from different countries communicate with each other daily. Therefore, the need for bilingualism has become urgent for several reasons such as migration, having parents who speak a different language or studying in an international school. In fact, speaking two languages can help us get better job opportunities and open up our mind.…

    • 271 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Summary Of My Two Minds By Catherine De Lange
    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Summary Of My Two Minds By Catherine De Lange

    In the article “My Two Minds”, Catherine De Lange details the differences between bilingualism and monolinguals. It was believed that starting back in the 19th century, bilingualism would confuse the capability of a child to fully understand either language properly. Later studies then shown that people who were bilingual may not have as a diverse vocabulary, but the overall cognitive ability to speak another language did not hinder the overall development.…

    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Summary Of Emergent Bilingual By Garcia
    • 119 Words
    • 1 Page

    Summary Of Emergent Bilingual By Garcia

    Furthermore, analysing the emergent bilingual definition offered by Garcia represented a fundamental concern in the article. Garcia presented her definition to introduce the role that home language and culture can do for foreign language learners. However, Turnbull indicated that Garcia’s definition is restricted to young foreigners who are who are learning English in the United States schools. In addition, Turnbull disagrees with the term ‘late bilingual’ which describes foreign language learners older than teenagers. Turnbull claimed that all foreign language learners around the world are entitled to be emergent bilinguals rather than minorities children in the United States. Furthermore, the perception of emergent bilingual should involve…

    • 119 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Bilingual Program: Children Language Development
    • 1372 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Bilingual Program: Children Language Development

    Bilingualism is related to the use of two languages or two language codes (Chaer, 2010: 84). Bilingualism is due to language contact between two groups of different languages, it exists in every country in the world, in all classes of society, and in all age groups. Therefore, it is difficult to find people who truly monolingual because language society are inseparable to other language societies (Grosjean, 1982: 1). The definition of bilingualism among experts has its own weakness. Therefore according to Grosjean there is no acceptable definition of bilingualism in general.…

    • 1372 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    History of Biligual Education
    • 1254 Words
    • 6 Pages

    History of Biligual Education

    *Headden, S. (1995, September 25). One Nation, One Language? U.S. News & World Report, 38+. Retrieved May 10, 2007, from http://faculty.ed.umuc.edu/~jmatthew/articles/onenation.html…

    • 1254 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More

Related Topics