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

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Problems and Potential for a Minority Language in a Speech Community: a Study of the Tiv Language in Nigeria A International Journal of Literature, Language and Linguistics Volume 2, Issue 1, 2019 (pp. 10-21) www.abjournals.org PROBLEMS AND POTENTIAL FOR A MINORITY LANGUAGE IN A SPEECH COMMUNITY: A STUDY OF THE TIV LANGUAGE IN NIGERIA A. A. Chahur (Ph.D)1 and Fredrick T. Iorshagher2 1Department of English, Hill College of Education, Gwanje - Akwanga 2Gss Assakio, Lafia LGA, Nasarawa State 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. KEYWORDS: Language, Linguistics, Minority Language, Majority Language, Tiv Language, Speech Community, Nigeria INTRODUCTION The multilingual state of Nigeria is observed to have more disadvantages than any advantage(s) that might be claimed for it. Apart from the general problem of dis-unity which has taken prominence, among others, those individual languages in the linguistic repertoire of Nigeria have certain challenges that are capable of hindering the expected growth and development for a language. Some of these problems are external, while some are internally rooted. Research would have probably shown that all languages in Nigeria have their specific problems irrespective of whether a language is minor or major in the Nigerian sense of description. This dismisses any possible feeling and perception that a language as chosen and identified with problems is an only unfortunate language. We speak of development for a language in terms of recognition and standardisation: When the natives of a language realise and accept that such a language exists and deserves love and respect, the language is said to be recognised by the speakers concerned. The existence of that language should also be noticed by those outside the community of speakers. By standardization for a language, I remember wardhaugh (1988) with the following words: 10 International Journal of Literature, Language and Linguistics Volume 2, Issue 1, 2019 (pp. 10-21) www.abjournals.org Standardization refers to the process by which a language has been codified in some way. That process usually involves the development of such things as grammars, spelling and books, dictionaries and possibly a literature …. Standardisation also requires that a measure of agreement be achieved about what is in the language and what is not (29, 30). Connecting to what has been said earlier of recognition; the process of standardisation is equivalent to an overall development of a language. Short of this is when and why we speak of problems for a language. The Tiv language is made the focal point with which some of these problems are identified. 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. METHODOLOGY This research relied principally on the researchers’ practical knowledge of the Tiv language within the Nigerian speech community. The intention to work on the whole problem had intensified attentiveness to people’s opinions at interactive sessions, taking into consideration their general attitudes concerning the issue in research. Personal observation method is considered, therefore, to be the primary source of information. In addition to that is the general literature on Tiv language, which comprises textbooks, research papers, and any written material in, and about the language that could provide relevant information for the success of the study. Indeed, a good look at the presentation would affirm that this secondary source of information-gathering is of great significance to the whole investigation. The Nigerian Linguistic Situation Nigeria is a multilingual society. It is estimated to have more than four hundred languages spoken by members of more than two hundred and fifty ethnic groups that inhabit the country. The sociolinguistic situation becomes more complex with the multiplicity of dialects identifiable within these languages. The Hausa language, for instance, has two main dialects which are further divided by geographical compass points of North, east, and western Hausa. Under these are several other sub-varieties like Hausan Katisna, Hausan Hadeijia, Sakwatanci, Gumel, and others. The case is applicable to many other Nigerian languages. In addition to the indigenous languages is English, which has been domesticated in the Nigerian community. This is a language that was imposed on Nigerians by expatriate bodies through colonialism. Though foreign, the English language has successfully hegemonised all the other languages indigenous to the Nigerian nation. Consequent upon this multilingual existence, there have been linguistic sentiments and feelings of superiority among languages over others. The question of which language to be used, when and where, often brings a lot of arguments among Nigerian scholars. It is in a lack of consensus that the English language which is alien to the country continues to play more prominent functions than the main national languages. 11 International Journal of Literature, Language and Linguistics Volume 2, Issue 1, 2019 (pp. 10-21) www.abjournals.org Today, the notorious distinction between minority and majority languages is found in the study of language. This, in the face of other consequences, is to be sure, an offshoot of multilingualism. Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba have been identified as main or major languages. The implication is that the rest of the other languages are non-major or minority languages. The contrast is noted to have no clearly defined criteria. short of clearly stated criteria for classifying a language as major in this country, we can only say that it is simply assumed that some languages are spoken by a relatively larger number of people and are therefore major languages” (Essien 1990). The development of a language is probably considered a criterion for its major position, and it is certain that the so-called major languages in Nigeria have developed to meet an acceptable standard. That claim does not suggest that the minority languages in the country hitherto have not attained any level of development. The point is that these minor languages are not as developed as those of the majority. Tiv language, the focus of this research, is one of the minority languages. Speakers of this language have been identified as the fifth most populous ethnic group considering the 1991 National Population Census. A high level of intelligibility exists among Tiv dialects, and this appears to be a special quality among the Tiv people, especially when placed in comparison with speech communities like Hausa, Igbo, Edo and some other ethnic groups. It might be expected that this particular status should lessen the work of standardisation in the Tiv language. In contrast to expectations, what we encounter is what we may describe as dialect loyalty; a condition where each of the dialects turns out to claim superiority over the other dialects. How then can the Tiv language be harmonised to have an acceptable standard? This is one big problem that is discovered in this investigation. But it will be clear at the end of the discussion that the Tiv language is not hopeless, irrespective of the problems it is said to have; there is a prospective future for the language to attain what we have acknowledged to be the status of development for a human language. Minor and Major Languages Nigeria is a multilingual speech community with an indefinite number of languages. Scholars only make conjectural statements regarding the number of ethnic groups and languages in Nigeria. The differences in their conjectures do not go against the single fact that Nigeria is a plurilingual speech community. Some of these languages are described as major, while the majority of these 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. Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba have naturally been identified as major or majority languages. The implication is that all other languages outside the three are minor languages. A Nigerian scholar would, therefore, define a major language simply as “any of the three main languages of Nigeria, i.e. Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba” (Jibril 1990:109), and minority languages as, “those languages indigenous to Nigeria too but other than Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba” (Olayemi 1990:99). Certainly, there is no definite criterion for the major-minor classification of languages in Nigeria. Linguists of varying categories have different approaches in the attempts to make this categorisation. Many of these people define this in terms of population while some consider it in terms of popularity regarding the use of languages. Yet, others account for the 12 International Journal of Literature, Language and Linguistics Volume 2, Issue 1, 2019 (pp.
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