Problems and Potential for a Minority Language in a Speech Community: A Study of the Tiv Language in Nigeria

Abstract:

Nigeria is a multilingual speech community with an indefinite number of languages. Some of these languages are described as major, while the majority of them are regarded as minority languages. The differentiation is arbitrary; it is a notorious kind of distinction that has come to stay with no concrete reasons. This research proves, within a sociolinguistic frame work, that the so-called minority languages in the Nigerian community are faced with a number of challenges. The Tiv language is made the focal point with which some of these problems are identified. Facts from personal observation as well as oral interviews show that speakers of the Tiv Language show no interest in their language and would, therefore, not give attention to what is necessary for the development of the language. Besides, the scarcely available literature in the Tiv language is not widely circulated and distributed as it might be expected of a nation. Yet, the position of the government on language policies is also found to be a hurdle to the expected progress of the Tiv Language. The research is suggested in two phases: in addition to finding out the problems is proving that there is a prospective future for the Tiv Language, irrespective of the numerous challenges associated with its existence.