Language Endangerment Festschrift Series No. 12 In the Series 1. Four Decades in the Study of Languages & Linguistics in Nigeria: A Festschrift for Kay Williamson, edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (pp. 872 A4-size paper: 81 chapters) 2. In the Linguistics Paradise: A Festschrift for E. Nolue Emenanjo, edited by Ozo- mekuri Ndimele (pp. 642 A4 –size paper, 60 chapters) 3. Language & Culture in Nigeria: A Festschrift for Okon Essien, edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (pp. 1002 A4-size paper; 96 chapters). 4. Trends in the Study of Languages & Linguistics in Nigeria: A Festschrift for Philip A. Nwachukwu, edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (pp. 701 A4-size paper; 61 chapters) 5. Convergence: English and Nigerian Languages: A Festschrift for Munzali Jibril, edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (pp. 988 A4-size paper; 73 chapters) 6. Nigerian Languages, Literatures, Culture & Policy Reforms: A Festschrift for Ayo Bamgbose, edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (pp. 720 A4-size paper; 59 chapters) 7. Critical Issues in the Study of Linguistics, Languages & Literature in Nigeria: A Festschrift for Conrad Max Benedict Brann, edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele, I.I.L. Udoh & O. Anyanwu (pp. 589 A4-size paper; 35 chapters) 8. Language Policy, Planning & Management in Nigeria: A Festschrift for Ben O. Elugbe, edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (pp. 934 A4-size paper; 73 chapters) 9. Language Literature & Communication in a Dynamic World: A Festschrift for Chinyere Ohiri-Aniche, edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (pp. 718 A4-size paper; 62 chapters) 10. Language, Literature & Culture in a Multilingual Society: A Festschrift for Abubakar Rasheed, edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele, Mustapha Ahmad and Hafizu Miko Yakasai (pp. 1118 A4-size paper; 77 chapters) 11. Issues in Contemporary African Linguistics: A Festschrift for Ọladele Awobuluyi, edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele, Lendzemo Constatine Yuka and Johnson Folo run oIlori (pp. 579 A4-size paper; 40 chapters) 12. Language Endangerment: Globalisation & the Fate of Minority Languages in Nigeria - A Festschrift for Appolonia Uzoaku Okwudishu edited by Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (pp. 683 A4-size paper; 51 chapters) 13. Multidisciplinary Approaches to the Study of African Linguistics: A Festschrift for Ahmed H. Amfani (in prepration) Language Endangerment: Globalisation & the Fate of Minority Languages in Nigeria A Festschrift for Appolonia Uzoaku Okwudishu Ozo-mekuri Ndimele (Ed.) Professor of Comparative Grammar Dept. of Linguistics & Communication Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria M & J Grand Orbit Communications Ltd. Port Harcourt M & J Grand Orbit Communications Ltd. No. 10 Nchia Street, Delta Park Box 237 Uniport P.O. University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected] Mobile Phone: 08033410255 © 2015 M & J Grand Orbit Communications Ltd All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of a brief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews. ISBN: 978-978-54127-2-7 Published by M & J Grand Orbit Communications Ltd. Port Harcourt, Nigeria In Collaboration with The Linguistic Association of Nigeria Dedication This book is dedicated to ALL LOVERS OF LANGUAGE Preface ___________________________________ his book is a commemorative volume. It is the 12th edition in the Nigerian Linguists Festschrift Series. So far, we have done a dozen, and therefore, need to congratulate T ourselves on this unprecedented feat. No other subject association in Nigeria has been so productive, not minding the harsh realities of the day and unfair working environment that academics in this part of the globe are confronted with. The majority of the papers here were selected from the presentations at the 27th Annual Conference of the Linguistic Association of Nigerian (CLAN) which was held at the Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. In this book are also a few papers selected from the much that the LOC of the 26th CLAN which was held at the University of Ibadan could oblige us. The 27th CLAN was held to celebrate the spectacular achievements of another female giant in our field, Professor (Mrs.) Appolonia Uzoaku Okwudishu of the University of Abuja, Nigeria. Hence, this book is devoted to her as our own little way to salute her giant strides in her career and to appreciate her immense contributions to the growth of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria. Professor Okwudishu is the foremost female General Secretary of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria – a position she held for two consecutive and marvelously productive tenures. She has held many other administration positions, including serving as the first female Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of her university. The title of this book derives from the theme of the 27th CLAN, which is “Language Endangerment: Globalisation and the Fate of Minority Languages in Nigeria”. A sizeable number of the papers here address the major theme of the conference, while the balance address various aspects of Nigerian linguistics, languages, communication, and literature. Papers on language endangerment and language revitalisation strategies for safeguarding the vanishing indigenous tongues of Nigeria took a centre stage in the book. We have enjoyed the goodwill of a number of persons and institutions in putting this book together, and therefore, should naturally appreciate those whose contributions readily call to mind. We acknowledge with gratitude the support we received from the Vice-Chancellors and members of the Local Organising Committees of the University of Ibadan and Benue State University, Markudi, for facilitating the hosting of the 26th and 27th CLAN, respectively. The President of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria, Professor (Mrs.) Chinyere Ohiri-Aniche, is also appreciated for ensuring that we received the papers from the 27th CLAN soon after the conference. This effort facilitated our early commencement of the assessment of the papers. That we were able to receive some papers from the LOC of the 26th CLAN, to further enrich the contents of this volume, is as a result of her intervention. Professor Ozo-mekuri Ndimele Founding Editor [email protected] Table of Contents Dedication Preface 1. Language Documentation: A Dependable Linguistic Practice for Minimizing the Effects of Endangerment on Languages in Nigeria 1 -Gideon Sunday Omachonu 2. Language Endangerment: Globalisation and the Fate of Minority Languages in Nigeria 17 -Aondona Dega 3. Threats to Mother Tongues in Nigeria: Strategies for Revitalisation 29 -Godwin Ona Ode 4. The Use of Nigerian Languages in Radio Broadcasts 39 -Sabi’u Alhaji Garba 5. Applying Systemic-Functional Linguistics to Safeguard Indigenous Genres 57 -C.D.S. Vande-Guma 6. Towards the Preservation of the Gure Language 85 -Iliya Dauda Pikawi 7. Towards the Preservation of the Tyap Language 99 -Grace Caleb Byat & Amos D. Bivan 8. Play Songs and Peer Group Activities as Resources for Revitalising the Tiv Language 107 -Sewuese Veronica Swande & T. Terver Udu 9. Measures to Safeguard the Etulo Language 119 -Esther Shagba 10. The Fate of the English Language in Nigeria in the Cyber Age 129 -Faleke Victoria Ogunnike 11. A Thematic Study of Jean la Fontaine’s Fable & Chinyereude’s Chant: Implications for Minority Languages 139 -Ihechi Obisike Nkoro viii 12. Translating Scientific Terms into Indigenous Languages: A Case for African Technological Development 147 -Priye Iyalla-Amadi 13. Translating Texts in English into Sleeping Languages: Basic Issues for Consideration 161 -Hosanna Hussaini Wakkai 14. Translation Endangerment: An Appraisal of Barriers 169 -Suleiman Adamu Sarvi 15. Harnessing Linguistic Resources for Effective Translation: A Way of Preserving the Status of a Language 181 -Obioma Bibian Enwere 16. Translating Technical Texts: The Igbo Language Example 193 -Patricia Ngozi Ijioma & Olivia Ezeafulukwe 17. The Igbo Language before, during, and after the Biafra War (1500 to Present) in Nigerian: The Igbo Question 203 -Crescentia Ugwuona 18. Broadcasting in African languages: The Case of the Igbo language 215 -Ndubuisi Ahamefula, Chinenye Okoye & Amarachi Arungwa 19. The Imperatives of Nigerian Languages in Sustainable Development 231 -Aliyu Busa Muhammad 20. Sociopragmatic Significance of ‘Sound and Fury’ in the Nigerian Political Context 239 -Chris Uchenna Agbedo & Ebere Celina Krisagbedo 21. Linguistic Communication Pitfalls 257 -Oreoluwa Abraham Solomon 22. The Use of Shared Knowledge and Symbols in Jukun Proverbs 267 -Upah Butari Nahum 23. Encyclopaedic and Mutual Knowledge as Pragmatic Determiners in Hausa Discourse 281 -Tijjani Shehu Almajir 24. A Pragmatic Analysis of some Selected Political Billboards Advertisement in Nasarawa Metropolis 289 -Adewole Alagbe & Saidu O. Yahaya ix 25. Aspects of Nonverbal Communication in The Potter’s Wheel 301 -Abdullahi Ahmad & Yusuf Muhammad Nasir 26. Metaphor: A Tool in every Hand 311 -Agnes Ada Okpe 27. Stylistic Peculiarities of Public Speeches 319 -Usman Muhammed Bello 28. A Lexico-Semantic Analysis of the Language of The Forest of God Translated by Gabriel A. Ajadi 329 -Joseph Alagbe & Oladele Raphael Asaolu 29. An Analysis of Linguistic System and Linguistic Context: A Systemic Functional Linguistic Perspective 339 -Saminu Isyaku 30. Orientation as an Ultimate Parameter for the Lexical Signs in the Hausa Sign Language 347 -Ibrahim Garba Gwammaja 31. A Comparative Study of the