Nigerian Languages Face Extinction - Varsity Don (fwd)

Tue May 3 18:24:46 UTC 2005

Nigerian Languages Face Extinction - Varsity Don

Posted to the web May 2, 2005
By Omon-Julius Onabu
Benin-City
http://allafrica.com/stories/200505020092.html

Many indigenous languages in Nigeria are on the path to extinction,
unless urgent steps are taken to rescue it from imminent disappearance
from the linguistic map, a university don, Professor Matthew Omo-Ojugo,
has warned.

Ojugo said the prediction on threat to many Asian and Nigerian languages
made sometime ago by the United Nations Economic, Scientific and
Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), for the end of the 21st century, could
come to pass if this warning is ignored.

He expressed these views while delivering a public lecture at the
launching of the "Esan Dictionary," edited by former Health Minister,
Chief Christopher Okojie, at Ambrose Alli Hall, Ekpoma, Edo State, at
the weekend.

Ojugo said 23 of the languages classified by UNESCO as already extinct
in Africa and Asia, were identified in Nigeria alone, saying that
called for new and positive attitude to indigenous languages in the
country.

Delivering the lecture, titled "Revitalising Endangered Languages: The
Esan Language as a Test Case," Ojugo said the ominous signs of the said
threat was today visible with regard to the Esan Language, which is
threatened by Pidgin English and English Language itself.

He expressed regrets that encouraging words from the Federal Government
on indigenous languages are not matched with concrete and positive
action.

The chairman of the occasion and former vice-chancellor of the
University of Benin, Prof Abhulimen R. Anao, described language as "an
important part of the vehicle for transmitting the culture and
socialization (and which) promotes harmony, unity and development of
the people."

In his speech, 85-year old Okojie regretted the many parents now find it
fashionable not to pseak Esan language to their own children even at
home in Esanland. "When I speak the language to many Esan children in
the hospital, it is with anguish I hear the father or mother respond"
that the children do not understand Esan, he said.