Abstract
Language remains the primary medium through which culture, knowledge, values, and collective memory are transmitted from one generation to another. Indigenous languages therefore represent more than tools of communication; they embody the identity, history, and worldview of their speakers. In Nigeria, many indigenous languages are increasingly threatened by neglect, language shift, and unfavourable language attitudes. This paper examines the phenomenon of indigenous language endangerment in Nigeria, with specific focus on the Akye language spoken in parts of Nasarawa State. Using both primary data obtained through field questionnaires and secondary data drawn from existing literature, the study investigates the sociolinguistic factors responsible for the declining use of Akye and assesses the level of intergenerational transmission. Findings reveal a sharp reduction in language use among younger speakers, dominance of English and Hausa in education and public life, absence of Akye in formal schooling and the media, and weak institutional support. The paper argues that without deliberate and coordinated revitalisation efforts involving families, schools, communities, government, and the media, the Akye language faces the risk of gradual extinction. The study concludes by proposing practical strategies for language maintenance and revitalisation that are culturally grounded and policy-driven.
Keywords: Indigenous languages, language endangerment, language revitalisation, Akye language, Nigeria
DOI: www.doi.org/10.36349/sojolics.2025.v01i01.008
author/Babanmama Hussaini & Abdullahi Abubakar
journal/Sokoto JOLICS 1(1) | June 2025 |
