Abstract
This paper examines learning and usage of indigenous languages in speech communities to preserve the languages from endangerment. Threats to West African indigenous multi-lingual nature necessitates the learning and more usage of the languages among native speakers. This is because every language encapsulate its realities and models of how the world works differently. Regrettably, there is no strong will on the path of the native speakers to engage their languages in active use neither have they orthographies that facilitate learning to enable indigenous workforce fully contribute to their societies. Anchoring on the constructivist theory of learning and consciousness model developed by Paolos Freire (1973), this paper emphasizes promotion of learning activities to keep the languages alive in their in their speech communities. By supplying therapeutic measures, this study is optimistic that the speech communities will be reinvigorated to preserve their Languages as a culture and linguistic identity as well as giving the learners life- long personal and civic competences. Bridging the gap efforts include, change in pedagogy, communicative approaches of orthographies that are not distanciated from the people, learning motivation and a total overhaul of indigenous language policy and implementation among others.
Author Information
Ejembi Johnny, Federal College of Education (Technical) Omoku, Nigeria
Comments
Powered by WP LinkPress