Ethnolinguistic Consciousness And Linguistic Practices Among Yorùbá Adult Speakers
Auteurs : Afolabi Ismail . Akano Richard . Adejumo Aishat .
Résumé
Ethnolinguistic consciousness is vital for language preservation as it strengthens social bonds and encourages intergenerational transfer. Ethnolinguistic consciousness or awareness refers to the knowledge of both linguistic and extralinguistic details associated with a language and its related cultural underpinning. Even though its structural components differ from one context to another, there is no doubt that both native and non-native speakers need a considerable understanding of the social systems tied to ethnolinguistic consciousness to foster intra- and intergroup relations in their various linguistic settings or environments. However, within Nigeria’s broader sociolinguistic landscape, little attention has been given to the consequences of its ongoing decline. Therefore, this study explored issues related to ethnolinguistic consciousness and the practical use of the Yorùbá language among adult speakers. A survey method was used, involving 190 participants in Osun State. Results show that Yorùbá is gradually declining in popularity across generations, despite a strong sense of ethnolinguistic awareness. Although 70% of the participants were proud to speak the language publicly and 79% considered it a key part of their culture, Yorùbá is mainly used among older family members and relatives (80%), with its use significantly diminishing when communicating with younger peers (48%) or in other contexts. Overall, the study reveals a paradox between linguistic pride and actual use of the Yorùbá language. It calls for an increased family and home use across demographic cohorts and the develeopment of active bilingual education, and diverse archives to support the language both personally and professionally, thereby creating a comprehensive resource and required motivation for future generations of speakers.
Mots clés
Ethnolinguistic consciousness ; Ethnolinguistics ; Language preservation ; Lnaguage practices ; Yoruba language
