DESERTIFICATION OF LINGUISTIC ECOLOGY: THE SOUTHEAST EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Nigeria is a heterogenous linguistic community endowed with aboriginal languages as well as the English language. Although these languages are influenced by certain environmental factors, some have gained more prominence than others. It has been postulated that some non-prominent languages are likely to be extinct if these environmental indicators are not controlled. This paper therefore examines the extent these environmental factors have affected both the English language and the Igbo language. Questionnaires were used as instruments for data collection and were analyzed using the SPSS data analysis. The findings showed that environmental factors play a role in affecting the use of the English and Igbo languages. The Igbo language was found to be on the verge of extinction while some dialects are being eroded. The Indigenous people of the Southeastern part of Nigeria are encouraged to take responsibility for preserving their native language by changing their actions and inactions towards it, and give attention to their native language in order to ensure its sustainability.