Abstract
This study investigates the sociolinguistic relationship between Hausa and Lamoro languages in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria, with a focus on how social class influences language use, bilingualism, prestige, and language shift, demonstrating how languages signal politeness, social power, and ethnic identity through word choice and usage. While Hausa enjoys widespread dominance and high prestige across all social strata, particularly among the urban elite, Lamoro is increasingly confined to informal, domestic, and rural domains. The study applies Language Prestige Theory (2006) to analyse the role of social structures in shaping linguistic behaviours and attitudes. Data gathered through qualitative observation and secondary sources reveal that language use is highly stratified by class: upper classes tend to prefer Hausa and English for upward mobility, while the lower classes, though more likely to maintain Lamoro, are under growing pressure to shift towards dominant languages. This class-based linguistic imbalance contributes significantly to the endangerment of Lamoro. The study concludes by emphasising the need for deliberate language revitalisation policies and educational interventions that promote minority language use across all social strata in order to preserve Nigeria’s rich linguistic diversity.
Keywords: Bilingualism, Endangerment, Hausa, Lamoro, Social Class
